{"product_id":"the-rise-of-christianity-how-the-obscure-marginal-jesus-movement-became-the-dominant-religious-force-in-the-western-world-in-a-few-centuries-9780060677015","title":"The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRodney Stark's \"fresh, blunt, and highly persuasive account of how the West was won--for Jesus\" (\u003cem\u003eNewsweek\u003c\/em\u003e)--a provocative report that 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Compelling reading\" (\u003cem\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/em\u003e) that is sure to \"generate spirited argument\" (\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e), 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 \u003cem\u003eThe Rise of Christianity\u003c\/em\u003e makes a compelling case for startling conclusions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCombining 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStark, Rodney:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eRodney Stark is the Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University. His thirty books on the history and sociology of religion include \u003cem\u003eThe Rise of Christianity\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCities of God\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFor the Glory of God\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDiscovering God\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success\u003c\/em\u003e. Stark received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperOne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50632038613266,"sku":"9780060677015","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0af58b6c-fe63-41a1-adee-24ea40fc5576.jpg?v=1737265642","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-rise-of-christianity-how-the-obscure-marginal-jesus-movement-became-the-dominant-religious-force-in-the-western-world-in-a-few-centuries-9780060677015","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}