Timothy Keller cited the book to illustrate how early Christians responded to plagues and to describe the urban landscape of the Greco-Roman Empire, using its eyewitness accounts as historical support. The mention highlighted the title’s relevance for understanding the social dynamics that helped Christianity expand.
Episode: The Meaning of the City
This book by Rodney Stark described the cities of the Greco-Roman Empire during the first few centuries, particularly focusing on the periods of plagues and the response of Christians.
Rodney Stark wrote a book called The Rise of Christianity in which he described the cities of the Greco-Roman Empire in the first couple centuries when these plagues went through.
Episode: Should I Not Love That Great City?
The speaker referenced this book by Rodney Stark to support his points about the behavior of Christians during plagues in ancient Rome. It provided eyewitness accounts of Christian actions during times of crisis.
This is in Rodney Stark's book, The Rise of Christianity.