Christian growth are plausible. Some scholars have noted the ephemeral
foundation of this edifice (see Klutz 1998, 169; Bryant 1997, 191; also Ley-
erle 1997, 306–307). Robert M. Grant (1996, 1082) is correct when he states
that Stark has raised some important questions and provided some tenta-
tive theoretical answers. Hard evidence, however, in favour of these theo-
ries is still wanting.
Chapter 4 of The Rise of Christianity(“Epidemics, Networks, and Conver-
sion”) should be read in conjunction with chapter 7 (“Urban Chaos and Cri-
sis: The Case of Antioch”). The two subject areas are related to one another,
and more integration could have been done between them. In chapter 7, for
example, Stark (1996, 149–56) discusses the poor health and sanitation
conditions in the Greco-Roman urban centres that were the primary site of
early Christian missionary efforts. In a word, the cities were unhealthy.
The poor would have felt these conditions most acutely, since they were liv-
ing in cramped quarters in the worst parts of town. Disease and, in partic-
ular, epidemics would have been exacerbated by the physical conditions of
the cities (Littman and Littman 1973, 256; Carney 1975, 83–136, esp. pp.
84–89 on population density and health conditions in the cities; also Har-
land, chapter 2). Furthermore, the ancient world had its share of other
disasters and calamities, each of which would have provided an opportu-
nity for Christian charity. For example, Stark (1996, 159) lists an impres-
sive array of natural and human-caused disasters in ancient Antioch:
invading armies, often sacking and plundering, sieges, large-scale fires,
riots, earthquakes, epidemics, and famines. This pattern could be repeated
for many cities, especially in Asia Minor. The situation is summarized well
in the following statement:
Christianity arose as a revitalization movement that arose in response
to the misery, chaos, fear, and brutality of life in the urban Greco-Roman
world....Christianity revitalized life in Greco-Roman cities by provid-
ing new norms and new kinds of social relationships able to cope with
many urgent urban problems. To cities filled with the homeless and
impoverished, Christianity offered charity as well as hope. To cities filled
with newcomers and strangers, Christianity offered an immediate basis
for attachments. To cities filled with orphans and widows, Christianity
provided a new and expanded sense of family. To cities torn by violent
ethnic strife, Christianity offered a new basis for social solidarity. And
to cities faced with epidemics, fires and earthquakes, Christianity offered
nursing services.“Look How They Love One Another” 229