The Rise Of Christianity.

Book Review.
Stark, Rodney. The Rise Of Christianity. How the obscure, marginal Jesus movement became the dominant religious force in the western world in a few centuries. Harper SanFrancisco (Collins) 1996
R.S.- professor of sociology and comparative religion at University of Washington.
Comment. Henry
Rodney’s approach to the rise of Christianity is that of a sociologist, a social-scientific approach. His presentation certainly adds interesting thought-provoking information about the spread of Christianity. I will leave the assessment of the validity of his thesis to qualified people. I am grateful for the opportunity to benefit from what seems to me is a helpful academic approach to how Christianity has impacted the world (especially the west) over the centuries.
The rate of growth of Christianity during the first three or four centuries cannot be based on statistics because they didn’t exist. Hence other methods are used, e.g. “resorting to simple arithmetic”. (12) Looking at methods of conversion produced helpful material to determine the growth of Christianity. Social science can be helpful in filling in blanks in historical and archaeological records (through reconstruction).
Contrary to some opinions it is suggested that early Christianity included middle and upper class adherents. Statistics reveal that educated people are more inclined to become involved in cults than sects and vice versa. (Note: U.S. Baptists are not are not listed among denominations. Mormons get a fair share of ‘ink’ as a cult.)
“Jewish Christianity played a central role in the rise of Christianity as late as the fourth century.” (49) The Hellenized Jews of the diaspora became the focus of Jewish evangelists in the early centuries. The evidence is strong concerning “a mission to the Jews”. (70)
Two major epidemics, one in 165 and the second about a century later became a real ‘test’ for Christianity resulting in the number of adherents increasing significantly. Christians cared for their sick and for non-Christians. Pagans abandoned their sick. The numerical growth of Christianity was also increased by Christian egalitarianism. Pagan population was decimated by pagan practices.
“Within a decade of the crucifixion of Jesus- the Greco-Roman city became the dominant environment of the Christian movement.” (129) The Jewish diaspora contributed to this phenomenon.
Christianity became a “revitalization movement” (161) in the Greco-Roman world. The ‘rewards’ of Christianity caused it to grow during difficult times of discrimination and persecution. There some non-spiritual rewards such as a better quality of life because of the commitments of Christians to look after each other’s physical needs. The cost of being a Christian (some were tortured and martyred) actually contributed to growth.
Christianity grew because “Christians constituted an intense community- who invited their friends, relatives, and neighbours to share the ‘good news’”. (208) (This could work today!)
“The ultimate factor in the rise of Christianity” is expressed in the author’s thesis: “Central doctrines of Christianity prompted and sustained attractive, liberating, and effective relations and organizations”. (211)