A landmark reinterpretation of why Christianity became the dominant
faith of the West The idea that Christianity started as a
clandestine movement among the poor is a widely accepted notion.
Yet it is one of many myths that must be discarded if we are to
understand just how a tiny messianic movement on the edge of the
Roman Empire became the dominant faith of Western civilization. In
a fast-paced, highly readable book that addresses beliefs as well
as historical facts, Rodney Stark brings a sociologist's
perspective to bear on the puzzle behind the success of early
Christianity. He comes equipped not only with the logic and methods
of social science but also with insights gathered firsthand into
why people convert and how new religious groups recruit members. He
digs deep into the historical evidence on many issues—such as the
social background of converts, the mission to the Jews, the status
of women in the church, the role of martyrdom—to provide a vivid
and unconventional account of early Christianity. The author plots
the most plausible curve of Christian growth from the year 40 to
300. By the time of Constantine, Christianity had become a
considerable force, with growth patterns very similar to those of
modern-day successful religious movements. An unusual number of
Christian converts, for example, came from the educated,
cosmopolitan classes. Because it offered a new perspective on
familiar concepts and was not linked to ethnicity, Christianity had
a large following among persons seeking to assimilate into the
dominant culture, mainly Hellenized Jews. The oversupply of women
in Christian communities—due partly to the respect and protection
they received—led to intermarriages with pagans, hence more
conversions, and to a high fertility rate. Stark points out, too,
the role played by selflessness and faith. Amidst the epidemics,
fires, and other disasters that beleaguered Greco-Roman cities,
Christian communities were a stronghold of mutual aid, which
resulted in a survival rate far greater than that of the pagans. In
the meantime, voluntary martyrdom, especially a generation after
the death of Christ, reinforced the commitment of the Christian
rank and file. What Stark ultimately offers is a multifaceted
portrait of early Christianity, one that appeals to practical
reasoning, historical curiosity, and personal reflection.
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