Rise of Christianity, The

Rise of Christianity, The

By Rodney Stark

Book Description

Challenging conventional wisdom about Christianity's origins, sociologist Rodney Stark presents a fresh examination of how a small religious movement transformed into Western civilization's dominant faith. Rather than accepting popular assumptions about early Christianity as a secretive movement among society's poorest members, Stark applies rigorous social science methods to uncover what actually drove this remarkable expansion.

Drawing from his expertise in understanding religious conversion and group dynamics, Stark investigates the historical record with a sociologist's analytical eye. He explores crucial questions about who actually joined the early Christian communities, examining the social backgrounds of converts and the strategies used to attract new members. His investigation covers pivotal aspects of early church development, including outreach efforts to Jewish communities, the significant role women played in the movement, and how martyrdom influenced the faith's growth.

This accessible exploration combines historical evidence with insights from modern social science, offering readers a clearer understanding of the forces that shaped early Christianity. Stark's approach reveals patterns and dynamics that traditional historical accounts often overlook, providing a more nuanced picture of how religious movements actually grow and spread.

For those interested in understanding the intersection of faith, society, and human behavior, this work offers valuable perspectives on how spiritual communities develop and thrive across different cultures and time periods.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)

📄 Length: 246 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Religion and sociology
  • ✓ Explore Early church
  • ✓ Explore Christianisme
  • ✓ Explore Church history
  • ✓ Explore Eglise
  • ✓ Explore History
  • ✓ Explore Sociologie
  • ✓ Explore Sociologie religieuse

Topics Covered

Religion and sociology Early church Christianisme Church history Eglise History Sociologie Sociologie religieuse Christianity Christian sociology, history Histoire Primitive and early church Église Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 Sociale aspecten Vroege kerk Église catholique Christian sociology

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