The Rise of Christianity Rodney A. Stark

Growth of Christianity Question: how did Christians grow from a tiny percentage of the Roman empire population to its majority by the year 350? Factors Conversion through social networks “primary” and “secondary conversions Birth rates Urban networks Epidemics Role of women

Estimates of population (Roman empire = 60 million people) Year # of Christians Percent of population 40 1,000 0.0017% 100 7,500 0.07% 200 218,000 0.36% 300 6,300,000 10.5% 350 34,000,000 56.5% From Stark, The Rise of Christianity, p. 7

The role of women in Christian growth More women converted (primary) Led husbands in secondary conversions Could use their wealth (widows) for church Christian women had higher status? Women had more to gain in converting, men had more to lose? Christians had higher fertility rates Spoke out against infanticide; had more girls Lower rate of (v. dangerous) abortions and use of birth control

What did early Christians do? Meetings Originally met in synagogues After 70CE, met in house churches By 300s, met in basilicas Liturgy (work of the people; worship) Met on Sundays Had readings, “agape” meal (eucharist) Needed to be baptized to participate fully Big deal Long preparation Elaborate ritual

Practice, continued Ministries Presbyters/priests Deacons: servants Some groups allowed female presiders, many did not Deacons: servants Helped in liturgies Served needs of the community, especially poor and widows Could be male or female Bishops Head of church in a city Main cities: Rome, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria Public symbol of continuity of apostle’s teachings Itinerant preachers Careful: some were frauds and freeloaders Prophets

Developments Growth Move from margins to mainstream Church community starts looking more mainstream Ex: limitation of women’s ministries as deacons: can only work with women More resources: bigger church buildings

For next time Life of Antony Chidester Why does he convert? How is his story similar to Perpetua and Thecla’s? How different? Why is he so focused on demons? Chidester How does monasticism contribute to the growth of Christianity?