The the improbable rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire Kreider, Alan 1941- creator author. text bibliography miu Grand Rapids, MI Baker Academic c2016 2016 2016 monographic eng

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xiii, 321 p ; 23 cm. How and why did the early church grow in the first four hundred years despite disincentives, harassment, and occasional persecution? In this unique historical study, veteran scholar Alan Kreider delivers the fruit of a lifetime of study as he tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, Kreider contends the church grew because the virtue of patience was of central importance in the life and witness of the early Christians. They wrote about patience, not evangelism, and reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew -- not by specific strategies but by patient ferment. Growth and patience. The improbable growth of the church -- The good of patience -- Push and pull -- Ferment. Christians as agents of growth -- Communities as cultures of patience -- Forming the habitus. Catechesis and baptism -- Worship -- "Wise doves" in the Didascalia apostolorum -- The transformation of patience. The impatience of Constantine -- Augustine and the just impatience. Alan Kreider. Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-313) and index. Church history Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 BR162.3 .K74 2016 270.1 9780801048494 0801048494 2015043726 DLC 151106 20160809164935.0 913557666 eng