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The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries Paperback – May 9, 1997

by Rodney Stark (Author)

104 customer reviews

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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).

The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries

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Editorial Reviews

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"Stark finds that Christians prospered the old-fashioned way: by providing a better, happier and more secure way of life . . . In the end, Stark concludes, Christians 'revitalized' the Roman Empire." -- Kenneth Woodward, "Newsweek""Stark uses contemporary social-scientific data about why people join new religious movements and how religions recruit members to investigate the formative history of Christianity . . . ["The Rise of Christianity" will] generate spirited argument." -- "Publishers Weekly""Compelling reading . . . highly recommended." -- "Library Journal""This book raises, simply and brilliantly, just the kinds of questions anyone concerned with early Christianity should ask." -- "The Christian Century""Anyone who has puzzled over Christianity's rise to dominance in the Roman Empire . . . must read [this book]. Here is theoretical brashness combined with disarming common sense, a capacious curiosity, and a most uncommon ability to tell a complicated story in simple prose." -- Wayne Meeks, Yale University"A provocative, insightful, challenging account of the rise of Christianity." -- Andrew M. Greeley, National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago

From the Publisher

"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 already 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. Greely, University of Chicago).

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Product details

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; unknown edition (May 9, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060677015
ISBN-13: 978-0060677015
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 104 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > History
- #17 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Sociology
- #25 in Books > History > World > Religious > Christianity

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Ye Shall Be As Gods

An excellent look into early Christian history.

January 28, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I would say one certainly does not have to be a Christian to get a lot of information out of this book, although I did read it as a seminary textbook. If you have ever found yourself asking how Christianity became a thing in light of intense persecution and the culture of philosophical wisdom that the Greco-Roman world was at the time, this book aims to answer exactly that question. It was a fantastic read.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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Will

This is one of my favorite books in the field of Christian sociology/theology

March 9, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is one of my favorite books in the field of Christian sociology/theology. Stark's analysis is in-depth and eye-opening, exposing his reader to a unique sociological perspective that accounts for both faith-based and historical factors. His approach is logical and informative, yet also accessible for the average lay person - honestly, it is very fun to read. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about how Christianity developed into a religion based on faith, and influenced by societal/historical factors of the time.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

Marlene Oaks

Five Stars

December 20, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A fascinating study filled with challenges that truly make one think anew.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?

Yes

Margaret Bendet

Fascinating

October 29, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is fascinating. I no longer consider myself a Christian, but I once was and so I was fascinated to see how so very many basic ethical and moral tenets of everyday life were introduced to the world by Christianity.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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Lance Hiltbrand

Well written and the author caused me to re-evaluate the social impact on a developing regilon.

September 5, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Well written and the author caused me to re-evaluate the social impact on a developing religion. The various plagues and masculine dominated society of the Roman's resulted in a declining population for the world's greatest power at that time. Over time the kindness exhibited by the early Christians and care they offered to the sick and needy allowed them to gain a positive place in the Roman society. In less than 300 years they became the leaders of the Roman Empire and eventually of the Western World.

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Rebecca E. Nagle

Amazing Book

March 8, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book was very informative. I highly recommend it to Christians and non-Christians alike. Rodney Stark makes a strong case for why the Christian movement took off, because their beliefs led to actions so contrary to other belief systems of the first three centuries. As a pastor I found his insights confirming and refreshing. I even learned some things! It is a fascinating read.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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Raen Dear

Enlightening and informative

February 1, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, found it both informative and enlightening. It persuasively answered questions I had long held about the rise of Christianity. The methodology was clearly presented and seemed sound to me; admittedly my statistics classes are far behind. I highly recommend it.

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Dfunkadelic

This book, albeit fairly academic in tone, is ...

May 4, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book, albeit fairly academic in tone, is a treasure chest of information about the first 300 years of Christianity. It is methodical and expansive in its research and supports each assertion with a bevy of credible sources. Rodney, this book is a gift to us in the field of missiology.

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Most recent customer reviews

80's Lady

If not for logical fallacies, this book would have no content at all.

If you're looking to go on a tour of rabbit trails while you try to make sense of the imaginary data supporting Stark's ideas and theories. Then this is the book for you.Read more

Published 3 months ago

Mike F.

Strong research, but got a bit too ambitious at times

I was pleased with the amount of primary sources Stark included in this work, given there is not a wealth of material to build from.Read more

Published 5 months ago

Mojo Sr

Sociology, not history

I did think i was getting a history book, so this isn't what i expected. Still i believe i kept an open mind, and Dr. Stark raises a lot of interesting points.Read more

Published 5 months ago

Helen Mason

Thanks

Got my faith soar high thanks

Published 6 months ago

Hill

very patient and helpful.

Kelly needs it , best product i will purchase it from you next time. The good thing about this product is that I can now cut thin slices of my homemade fresh bread! just fine.

Published 7 months ago

Timothy A. Koch

There are many good insights to be gleaned from this book

The Rise of Christianity is a book by Rodney Stark wherein he looks at Christianity’s rise to prominence from a sociological perspective.Read more

Published 7 months ago

Picnic Basket

Five Stars

Great for deepening your understanding of the rise of Chrsitianity

Published 10 months ago

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Wonderful, changed some of my ideas of early Christianity.

Published 11 months ago

Amazon Customer

The Rise of Christianity shares some great insight into the rapid growth of Christians

The Rise of Christianity shares some great insight into the rapid growth of Christians. Stark, a sociologist and author of the book shares, some interesting statistical analyzes.Read more

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