Looking beyond theological narratives and offering a sociological, economic, and historical examination of the spread of earliest Christianity, James Crossley presents a thoroughly secular and causal explanation for why the once law-observant movement within Judaism became the beginnings of a new religion. First analyzing the historiography of the New Testament and stressing the problematic omission of a social scientific account, Crossley applies a socioeconomic lens to the rise of the Jesus movement and the centrality of sinners to his mission. Using macrosociological approaches, he explains how Jesus' Jewish teachings sparked the shift toward a gentile religion and an international monotheistic trend. Finally, using approaches from conversion studies, he provides a sociohistorical explanation for the rise of the Pauline mission.
- ISBN10 0664230946
- ISBN13 9780664230944
- Publish Date 3 November 2006
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
- Format Paperback
- Pages 248
- Language English
- URL https://presbyterian.app.onixsuite.com/book/?GCOI=29636102338490