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

Over 40% of people today are Xians. Their number grows more rapidly than that of any other major faith. In The Triumph of Xianity, religious & social historian Stark explains how an obscure Jewish sect became the largest, most thriving religion in the world. In his The Rise of Xianity, he examined the early success of Xianity & how it conquered Rome. Now he tells a more extensive story, beginning with the religious & social situation prior to Jesus' birth & continuing to the present. As it moves thru six historical eras, The Triumph of Xianity gets right to Xianity's most pivotal & controversial moments—often turning them on their heads: -Xmas Eve surveys the religious situation within which Xianity began. -Xianizing the Empire looks at Jesus' life & the formative days of the movement he inspired, explaining why Xianity was a reprieve from the miseries of daily life for many. -Consolidating Xian Europe argues that Constantine's conversion did the church great harm, examines the gradual demise of paganism & clarifies the motives behind the Crusades. -Medieval Currents sheds light on the misleadingly named "Dark Ages" & the vital role faith played in the scientific revolution. -Xianity Divided examines two Roman Catholic "Churches"—a Church of Piety & a Church of Power—as they respond to heretical challenges, Luther's Reformation & the Spanish Inquisition. -New Worlds & Xian Growth considers the development of religious pluralism in the USA & the continuing vigor of Xianity worldwide, disproving the popular notion that religion must disappear to make room for modernity. With his knack for making bold, original scholarship accessible to all, Stark presents the story behind the tragedies & triumphs that have shaped the trajectory of the Xian faith & much of global history. For scholars & laity alike, this is a journey thru events we think we know & need to reconsider. Introduction The religious context Many Judaisms Jesus & the Jesus movement Missionizing the Jews & the Gentiles Christianity & privilege Misery & mercy Appeals to women Persecution & commitment Assessing Christian growth Constantine's very mixed blessings The demise of paganism Islam & the destruction of Eastern & North African Christianity Europe responds: the case for the Crusades The "Dark Ages" & other mythical eras The people's religion Faith & the scientific "Revolution" Two "churches" & the challenge of heresy Luther's reformation The shocking truth about the Spanish Inquisition Pluralism & American piety Secularization: facts & fantasies Globalization Conclusion Bibliography Notes Index