Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist's Reconsideration of History (Religious Sociology Series. 2)

Author: (American) Rodney Stark, translated by Huang Jianbo, Gao Minggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Research on the causes and process of the rise of Christianity has been extensive in Western literature. This book stands out among them, not only because of the author's comprehensive grasp of historical documents, but more importantly, due to the sociological analytical methods employed, including rational choice theory, social networks, dynamic population models, social epidemiology, religious economic models, and more. As the author states, "I am not a historian; I am a sociologist." Historical materials are here applied through more explanatory theories, presenting a state quite different from traditional historical research. This book sparked significant interest in the field of religious studies, praised for its innovative thinking—considered "not only insightful but also a challenge to traditional perspectives."