The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World's Largest Religion

I'm a big fan of Rodney Stark because his works are both scholarly and readable, as well as being well-argued, well-researched, and positively revelatory. His new book, "The Triumph of Christianity," is similar to his earlier work, "The Rise of Christianity." However he not only extends the time of his discussion to cover all of church history but has also incorporated what he calls "new perspectives" on some old questions.I highly recommend "The Triumph of Christianity" for the following reasons. First, Stark presents a lot of intriguing and important information that is hard to find anywhere else. Second, his work is very well-researched and based on this solid research he provides provocative insights into Christianity that are bound to deepen one's understanding. Third, Stark packs an amazing amount of information into one book. Fourth, while being academically sound his writing is also very readable.Stark's startling insights often overturn a lot of mischievous nonsense about Christianity and common misperceptions. He does it with amazing clarity and authority, and what he says matches up with all I've observed about human behavior and what I've read about sociology. The book would be well worth its price for only a fraction of the revelations Stark communicates. I just finished the Kindle version but am thinking about also ordering a hard copy so I can properly mark it up as I like to do with an important work.In Part 1, Stark presents a succinct and useful summary of other religions at time of Christ, as well as why Oriental religions (besides Judaism) appealed to the Roman world and paved the way for Christianity. These reasons include emotion, joy, music, the importance of congregations, a religious identity that competed with and could be more important than political or familial identity, and the fact that it offered more opportunities for women. Much of this is information you don't usually see in books on early Christian background, which usually focus on Roman politics or Jewish religion.Chapter 2 shows the diversity of 1st century Judaism and also contains a wealth of information. I especially like the way Stark applies his model of the religious economy from previous works to the Jewish religious situation of the 1st century.In Part 2, Chapter 3, I like the way that Stark emphasizes that Christ was a rabbi or teacher (stated many times in the Gospels) over the idea that he was a carpenter (mentioned once in a passage that may actually mean something else). "The Triumph of Christianity" is stuffed with such intriguing and helpful new ways of seeing Christianity. In this chapter, Stark also rehearses an incredibly important theme from some of his other works: the idea that "people tend to convert to a religious group when their social ties to members outweigh their ties to outsiders who might oppose the conversion."While Stark had already convinced me in some of his earlier works, it will be astonishing news to some that Christianity appealed especially in the beginning to those of privilege (see Chapter 5). Chapter 6 is also a chapter of revelation as Stark argues persuasively that Christianity created a better (including longer and healthier) life for people, even here on earth. The idea that Christianity exalted women (and also marriage and children) more than other religions or philosophies of the ancient world (Chapter 7) may be old news to some, but it's a crucial idea that needs to be repeated. Stark's Chapter 9 on assessing Christian growth is also a re-statement of his earlier works, but it's a fascinating explanation of how and why Christianity grew so rapidly in the early centuries.In Part 3 Stark switches gears somewhat as Christianity became established. Stark finds both good and bad in Constantine, which is generally a fair assessment. He explains that while Constantine's conversion ended persecution it also encouraged intolerance toward dissent within the church and greatly reduced the piety and dedication of the clergy. I have a slight disagreement with Stark here: a more positive and more detailed assessment of Constantine is given by Peter Leithart in "Defending Constantine." Stark presents an interesting and informative flow of Christian history as he describes the triumph of Christianity over paganism, which was not the result of Christian persecution but which was also not as complete as usually assumed. He continues with a discussion of Christianity's engagement and retreat from Islam and then re-orients the Crusades in a more positive light, as he does at greater length in "God's Battalions."In Part 4 Stark rebukes the received wisdom that the rise of Christianity ushered in many centuries of ignorance subsequent to the fall of Rome. In fact, the so-called "Dark Ages" never existed. Lest the reader think Stark is simply slanting everything to make Christianity look nearly perfect, he's also quick to point out that medieval Christians weren't nearly as pious as we imagine they were. Perhaps most importantly, Stark correctly establishes the fact that far from impeding the rise of science, the West was the birthplace of science because of Christianity.In Part 5 Stark argues that the new religious movements that arose in Europe prior to the fifteenth century are identified as heresies because they failed, while Luther's "heresy" is called the Reformation because it survived. While this is one area where I have to disagree with Stark, he does provide some good information for why the Reformation succeeded. Perhaps the most startling revelation in the book to me is that new research indicates that the Spanish Inquisition was much more a force of moderation than of torture and death than we've been told. I'll have to go and verify that one, but leave it to Stark to reveal it!Finally, in Part 6 Stark revisits his research on how religions fare when there is religious pluralism, such as established in the United States. Stark's model explains, for example, why the fact that churches have to compete in a religious marketplace is actually a good thing for religion. If you want to read the definitive work on this, then read Stark and Finke's "Acts of Faith." Stark also contends with now disproved theories of secularization that naively assumed religion was on the demise. This, too, is an important truth that will be a startling reversal of the common myths we usually hear. Chapter 22 makes a fitting conclusion to Stark's meaty work because it chronicles the globalization of Christianity and explains some of the reasons why Christianity continues to grow, not the least of which is its cultural flexibility.I strongly recommend "The Triumph of Christianity" to any serious student of Christianity, from educated laymen to Christian leaders to students and teachers. It explains a great deal about Christianity, all in one place, that you won't hear many other places.The book is organized according to the following plan:PART I - Christmas EveChapter One - The Religious ContextChapter Two - Many JudaismsPART II - Christianizing the EmpireChapter Three - Jesus and the Jesus MovementChapter Four - Missions to the Jews and the GentilesChapter Five - Christianity and PrivilegeChapter Six - Misery and MercyChapter Seven - Appeals to WomenChapter Eight - Persecution and CommitmentChapter Nine - Assessing Christian GrowthPART III - Consolidating Christian EuropeChapter Ten - Constantine's Very Mixed BlessingsChapter Eleven - The Demise of PaganismChapter Twelve - Islam and the Destruction of Eastern and North African ChristianityChapter Thirteen - Europe RespondsPART IV - Medieval Currents Chapter Fourteen - The "Dark Ages" and Other Mythical ErasChapter Fifteen - The People's ReligionChapter Sixteen - Faith and the Scientific "Revolution"PART V - Christianity DividedChapter Seventeen - Two "Churches" and the Challenge of HeresyChapter Eighteen - Luther's ReformationChapter Nineteen - The Shocking Truth About the Spanish InquisitionPART VI - New Worlds and Christian GrowthChapter Twenty - Pluralism and American PietyChapter Twenty-One - SecularizationChapter Twenty-Two - Globalization

Controversial, bold, humble, and impactful. These are core qualities that mark the life of Jesus Christ. In his historical take on Christianity, Rodney Stark tackles the religious context leading up to, during, and shortly after Jesus’ time on earth in his book The Triumph of Christianity. Stark prefaces the book with an overarching description of what periods and general topics addresses. His primary aim in writing this book was to bring a new perspective to the history of Christianity. Stark successfully achieves this goal by looking at major historical events through a fairly objective lens, attempting to remove personal bias. He considers them in new light as well as in relation to each other. Though some overarching generalizations may deter certain readers, overall, I would highly recommend this book to anybody who is looking to understand the historical development of Christianity surrounding the time of Jesus’ life.In the first section of The Triumph of Christianity, Stark explores the specific religious context of the time leading into the coming of Jesus Christ. In a highly accessible fashion, Stark touches on pagan religion and the appeal it had to the people of that time, as well as its specific downfalls. He says, on the mission of the pagan temples, “[it] was to ensure that the gods favored the state and its ruling elite--often to such an extent that only the privileged few could gain admission to the temples.” He continues to discuss other religious beliefs people held leading up to Jesus’ birth, setting the stage for the rest of the book and history that unfolded over the addressed time period.In the following chapter, Stark dives into the basis of the formation of Christianity, as it was beginning to become established. He looks at various implications and expands on the movement that was inspired by Jesus. I appreciated how he tied in the presence and role of women in the early church, as this was insight that I had yet to learn before I read this book. Also, Stark yet again explicitly mentions and then negates discussing an argument that would have been subjective and inappropriate to include in this section; I continually appreciate his dedication to keeping this book objective in nature. In this section, Stark does a great job of breaking down some misconceptions about the beginning stages of Christianity.One particular thing that I appreciate about Stark’s writing is that it proves accessible to anybody who is looking to become more knowledgeable in this area of history. Moreover, at the same time, it is also provides new perspectives that make it valuable to even the more well-seasoned theologian or historian. Stark contributes a unique balance, and as a person who would definitely not define myself as a ‘historian,’ it is a breath of fresh air to be able to follow along and comprehend what an author is talking about. He avoids over-complicating concepts that simply do not need complicated, and he presents concepts using terms and thoughts that make his writing easy to understand. There is no underlying assumption that you came into this book with any specific historical knowledge, which has been a blessing to me. Overall, I am very affirming and appreciative of how accessible Rodney Stark has made this book.I have been pleasantly surprised and thoroughly impressed by the objectivity of Stark’s outlook on the history of Christianity. Though the concept of Christianity is not by nature an objective topic, the history itself of how Christianity developed should be approached in a way that does not skew the facts and how the belief system has developed and over time. It is natural to assume that Stark must have a position on whether or not he holds to Christian beliefs, but this is not the appropriate place to express those beliefs. The fact that he does not make his position clear increases his credibility and makes this book more likely to reach a larger audience effectively. If this book were to have been written with an underlying opinion creeping into each thought Stark prescribed, it would drastically alter the way in which a reader would have to relate to his work. More authors should implement tactics like Stark’s because it completely shapes how the reader can engage with the book in a positive and impactful way.With that being said, one thing that may deter people from enjoying The Triumph of Christianity is that due to the vast amount of history that Stark covers in this book alone, there are some seemingly important events that he skims over. I will say, the point of him writing this book was not to give an in-depth account of each event that contributed to the expansion of Christianity, but more so an overview of how it all builds off each other. At this point, I believe it comes down to personal preference and what the reader is looking for in a book.Moreover, as someone who greatly enjoys theology, it is almost disappointing how little attention is given to its development throughout this account of Christian history. I would have been very interested to hear in more depth from Stark how different theological views influenced the development of history in this time period. These considerations must have had a significant role in the way Christianity has developed. Though, Start did explicitly warn in the preface about how that was not his agenda in writing this book. At this rate, I would say that is not a fair reason to turn away from the opportunity to read a novel that still has much to offer. Nonetheless, I would still very much enjoy reading a book similar to Triumph of Christianity in nature with this particular addition.Conclusively, Stark’s Triumph of Christianity provided me with historical clarity of the events surrounding Jesus’ life in a way that had not previously been attainable to me. Stark brings unbiased, well-educated insight that is refreshing and concise. If your desire is to gain an overall understanding of the religious context and spreading of Christianity, this book will certainly attain that goal.

Starks work on the development of Christianity can't be ignored. Rather than looking at the theological reasons people converted to Christianity Stark looks at what made Christianity attractive to pagans. This books builds on and extends his seminal work THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY. always thought provoking but not sure I totally buy his defence of the Crusades but that's perhaps because my opposition is theological and his defence is political. Certainly a book that can't be ignored by anyone serious about getting an overview of church history

I could not put this book down. It was phenomenal! Not only immensely readable, but mind-blowing in its depth and scope. After reading some chapters, I was so amazed that I doubted what I had read, and so went to see just how biased it was. It turned out that Professor Stark was in fact simply stating the truth, and I was behind the times! Whether you are studying history, theology, sociology or even science, this is a must-read.

A very different perspective from a sociologist sympathetic to the Christian message. His constant debunking of accepted thinking would be tiresome if it wasn’t so necessary. His theory of how the early church grew is plausible and well supported by original research. As a committed Christian with an interest in church history this has left me with much to reflect upon.

A new interesting book by Rodney Stark. I will recommend it to everyone who wants to know more than mainstream media tell us.

Excellent