Title: The Rise of Christianity
First published: 1996
Description: 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.
Subjects: Christian sociology, Church history, History, Primitive and early church, Sociologie, Vroege kerk, Histoire, Religion and sociology, Sociale aspecten, Sociologie religieuse, Early church, Église, Église catholique, Christianisme, Christianity, Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600, Christian sociology, history, Eglise
Time periods: Early church, ca. 30-600, Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600