The Rise of Christianity

Rodney Stark''s "fresh, blunt, and highly persuasive account of how the West was won—for Jesus" (Newsweek)—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.

"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