TY  - BOOK
AU  - Stark,Rodney
TI  - The rise of Christianity: a sociologist reconsiders history 
SN  - 0691027498 (cloth : acidfree paper)
AV  - BR 166 .S75 1996
U1  - 306.6/701 20
PY  - 1996///
CY  - Princeton, N.J.
PB  - Princeton University Press
KW  - Church history
KW  - Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
KW  - Christian sociology
KW  - History
KW  - Early church, ca. 30-600
N1  - Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-242) and index; Contents; Conversion and Christian growth --
The class basis of early Christianity --
The mission to the Jews: Why it probably succeeded --
Epidemics, networks, and conversion --
The role of women in Christian growth --
Christianizing the urban empire: A quantitative approach --
Urban chaos and crisis: The case of Antioch --
The martyrs: Sacrifice as rational choice --
Opportunity and organization --
A brief reflection on virtue
N2  - Summary; 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 picture of early Christianity
ER  -