|
The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force .... | 
 enlarge | Author: Rodney Stark
Publisher: HarperOne
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.00
You Save: $6.95 (46%)
New (32) Used (31) from $6.99
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 6406
Media: Paperback
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8
ISBN: 0060677015
Dewey Decimal Number: 306.6701
EAN: 9780060677015
ASIN: 0060677015
Publication Date: June 18, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product 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).
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...
 Needs more empirical evidence October 24, 2008
Gareth W. Mann (Florida, US)
This is a fascinating book. The author is a great writer and does a great job painting a picture of the dirt, misery, and disease ridden ancient world. He quickly dispels commonly held myths about the ancient world as a civilized and sophisticated place full of shiny marble columns.
However, his main argument, that the rise of Christianity can be attributed to better survival rates amongst Christian communities during epidemics because they cared more for their sick, needs much more evidence. Firstly there needs to be more proof that pagans DID NOT care for their sick, and secondly there needs to be more evidence that primitive methods of caring for the sick actually worked. The author states:
"Modern medical experts believe that conscientious nursing without any medications could cut the mortality rate by two-thirds or even more."
But this statement is not referenced or backed up by any footnote pointing to any actual research in this area. Yet it is the most important contention in the whole book, on which all the other numerical estimates rely!
Does anybody know any other researchers that have looked further into this topic or offered a critique of this work?
Complementary readings to an interesting book October 4, 2008
Cesar Gonzalez Rouco (Madrid, Madrid Spain)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
There are already many good reviews on this book, so I will only suggest reading the following books on religion in addition to Stark's: a) "The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach," by Moojan Momen (astonishingly encyclopedic); b) "Shamans, Sorcerers, and Saints: A Prehistory of Religion" by Brian Hayden (great overview of religion origins and development); c) "God Owes Us Nothing: A Brief Remark on Pascal's Religion and on the Spirit of Jansenism" by Leszek Kolakowski (on predestination); d) "The Book of Miracles: The Meaning of the Miracle Stories in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam" by Kenneth L. Woodward (very readable); e) "Sin and Salvation in the World Religions: A Short Introduction" by Harold Coward (somehow dry but also covering Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism); f) "Prayer: A History" by Philip Zaleski and Carol Zaleski (recently bought, not read yet); g); "Alternative Tradition: A Study of Unbelief in the Ancient World (Religion and Society)" by James A. Thrower; and h)"Dreaming in the World's Religions: A Comparative History" by Kelly Bulkeley (I have not bought it yet, it has been published this July).
 Excellent discussion on the phenomenon of Christian ascendancy June 8, 2008
Greg Abrams (Valrico, FL USA)
This book presents some interesting propositions concerning the development of early Christianity in the Greco-Roman world. Stark utilizes sociological data in conjunction with historical references to develop his arguments relating to Christianity's appeal in urban communities between the first century and the beginning of the fourth. He kicks off the survey by pointing out a necessary 40 percent growth rate per decade for Christianity - from 1,000 in the year 40 to 6,299,832 in the year 300. This is supported by reference to the 43 percent rate shown by the Mormon church over the past century.
From this starting point, Stark moves on to present theories on how the process worked. His discussion on the role of social networks is very good and serves as a necessary first brick in the structure he steadily assembles throughout the remainder of the book. Conversion and adherence to a new faith is in many cases dependent on an individual's social interconnections with the like-minded. Through these networks, we have the makings of an exponential rise in new members over time. This is not simply asserted as axiomatic - he draws on sociological research data specific to religious studies as evidence.
As a side note: one aspect of conversion that is not covered in Stark's text (unless I missed it) is the necessary inequality of the process in the examined setting. For new pagan religions at the time (e.g., Mithras, Isis, etc...), to accept them would simply be to add a new god to a stable that already includes the state gods, the mysteries, and so on. This is a process of syncretism, rather than replacement.
But to accept Christianity means to take on an exclusive belief system. So by its very nature (i.e., "No other gods before me"), a successful Christianity would necessarily wipe out pagan practices over time.
But knowing this doesn't say anything as to why it happened...
To explain this, Stark develops his thesis in discussions concerning events/reactions, ethics, and the need for a unifying force in an increasingly fragmented empire. Highlights include:
1) Analysis of how the Christian response to devastating epidemics helped to underscore their ethical system and the perceived power of God. As Christians were exposed, they naturally developed immunity to the microbes responsible for countless deaths. This immunity must have appeared miraculous to observers and conversions would follow. As the pagan population of cities decreased, the Christian population increased.
2) An especially revealing account of the self-destructive tendencies of Roman society in general. Several factors - including serious problems of abortion and infanticide, continuous violent conflict, and a perverse fascination with gladiatorial butchery - contributed to a severe decline in population over time.
3) An outline of the atrocious living conditions in most cities of the empire. From the constant threat of violence, to collapsing buildings, raging conflagrations, and outbreaks, life in the overcrowded cities often spelled misery and untimely death for many of the poorer inhabitants. "Urban Chaos and Crisis" indeed...
In summary, Stark presents a very compelling set of ideas explaining how Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman empire and eventually the world. Based on the arguments and the evidence marshalled to support his claims, the rise may very well be attributed to a "rational choice", in that the overall cost/benefit equation showed a real bargain for Christian converts.
Good resource on the subject February 24, 2008
Miguel Benitez Jr. (Florida)
Rodney Stark is a social scientist who really incorporates different research methods for this book. Using history, sociology and even some anthropology to try and figure out why Christianity became what it is today, makes this book a very good read. In this book Stark covers many different factors such as the treatment of women by the early church, how early Christians treated each other, martyrs and early doctrine and how they all play a role in making Christianity what it is today. I do not agree with some of the conclusions that Stark makes in his book and at times I think he makes generalizations that I suggest need further study. That being said, I learned a lot from this book. I recommend this book to the college student who is studying this time period, or to those who like in my case had it assigned as a textbook for a course, do not worry its a good book. I also recommend this book to those who are just interested in the history of Christianity in general. This book definately adds to the discussion of The Rise of Christianity.
Groundbreaking Work by a Sociologist February 17, 2008
Hal Seed (Oceanside, California)
I was so inspired by Dr. Stark's careful research and thinking that I came to this site to write a review. Then I discovered Paul Frandano's review. I have never met Paul, but I think my best contribution to this collection of reviews would be to say, "read Paul's review!" He's nailed the book's strengths and noted his weakness (toward women). I thoroughly recommend Stark's The Rise of Christianity, and I thoroughly recommend you read Paul's review!
|
|
|
SEO and Marketing TipsBETA RELEASE | |
