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The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force ....
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Average Rating:  out of 42 Reviews
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Price: $14.95
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Sale: $8.53
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Manufacturer: HarperOne
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780060677015
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: Rodney Stark
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Publisher: HarperOne
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Dewey Decimal Number: 306.6701
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Publication Date: 1997-06-18
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Reading Level: 272
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Description: This "fresh, blunt, and highly persuasive account of how the West was won--for Jesus" (Newsweek) is now available in paperback. Stark's provocative report challenges conventional wisdom and finds that Christianity's astounding dominance of the Western world arose from its offer of a better, more secure way of life. "Compelling reading" (Library Journal) that is sure to "generate spirited argument" (Publishers Weekly), this account of Christianity's remarkable growth within the Roman Empire is the subject of much fanfare. "Anyone who has puzzled over Christianity's rise to dominance...must read it." says Yale University's Wayne A. Meeks, for The Rise of Christianity makes a compelling case for startling conclusions. Combining his expertise in social science with historical evidence, and his insight into contemporary religion's appeal, Stark finds that early Christianity attracted the privileged rather than the poor, that most early converts were women or marginalized Jews--and ultimately "that Christianity was a success because it proved those who joined it with a more appealing, more assuring, happier, and perhaps longer life" (Andrew M. Greeley, University of Chicago).
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Very informative |
Date: 2007-12-30 |
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Details: This is a well written book that gives very useful information on the sociology of the early church/christians. This book is quite unique, at times, technical - sometimes a little bit on the side of apologetics yet, the author tries to remain fair and objective. He is quoting interesting Christian and non-Christian sources to affirm his statements. The reader of this book does not need to have a strong background in sociology to understand it - just a strong interest in the subject! |
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Review Summary: Excellent |
Date: 2007-11-09 |
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Details: This is a very stimulating book about the rapid development of the Jesus-movement in the first 3 centuries. The author uses methods taken from modern sociology of religions, and aplies them on the early church. He shows convincingly that the main reason for church growth in the beginning was relations and communal care, shortly: the christian ethos, combined with "natural causes" like a surplus of women and child births compared with the pagan world. The fact that the christians did not take abortions or otherwise kill their children, like the pagans did, is an essential factor in this development. The main reason for christian growth was not great preachers or revivals, but the integrity and service of the congreagations in their community. This book gives many impulses to modern church life! |
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Review Summary: Elitist Nonsense |
Date: 2007-11-03 |
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Details: Mr. Stark continually references his earlier works, and his collaborative works to suggest answers.
The constant use of Italics give this work the appearance of propaganda.
"New religious movements draw their converts from the ranks of the religiously inactive and discontented"...Stark is part of a new religious movement (the Cult of Liberalism), but he fails to notice. A little self-reflection would suit Mr. Stark. |
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Review Summary: Clear Explanation of the Spread of Christianity |
Date: 2007-10-27 |
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Details: Stark, academic and sociologist, focuses in on the question of how a small, monotheistic movement founded on the fringes of the Roman Empire grew in barely three centuries to be the dominant and official religion of the Roman Empire. Utilizing techniques from economics such as game theory and rational choice theory, he developed an explanation of how Christianity spread in the ancient religious marketplace. These theories are used to explain how a Christian martyr's behavior could be understood as sensible despite an imminent and painful death. It also explains how Christians would nurse and care for the sick during a plague while pagans did not.
Looking at the historical writings on life in those first three centuries after Christ, Stark is able to construct a world where pagan life and Christian life can be compared and contrasted. By doing this he shows quite vividly how Christian norms of respect for all life, fidelity, and charity resulted in higher fertility and life expectancy rates than for similar pagan cohort groups. Stark shows convincingly that Christianity grew not because of Constantine, but because it was a united and motivated religion.
Well researched, Stark provides scholarly balance to his theories and conclusions. Despite his secular and scientific approach to answering the question of how Christianity spread from the margins of society to the mainstream, Stark remained consistently respectful.
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Review Summary: Not bad, but not new |
Date: 2007-07-13 |
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Details: Very readable, but was mainly a rehash of older materials. Did like some of the statistical data. There are similar books that give a more in depth look at the rise of Christianity, but this is an excellent source for those who are looking for a concise and readable source. |
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