Religion : Christianity

How did the preaching of a peasant carpenter from Galilee spark a movement that would grow to include over two billion followers? Who listened to this "good news," and who ignored it? Where did Christianity spread, and how? Based on quantitative data and the latest scholarship, preeminent scholar and journalist Rodney Stark presents new and startling information about the rise of the early church, overturning many prevailing views of how Christianity grew through time to become the largest religion in the world Drawing on both archaeological and historical evidence, Stark is able to provide hard statistical evidence on the religious life of the Roman Empire to discover the following facts that set conventional history on its head: Contrary to fictions such as The Da Vinci Code and the claims of some prominent scholars, Gnosticism was not a more sophisticated, more authentic form of Christianity, but really an unsuccessful effort to paganize Christianity. Paul was called the apostle to the Gentiles, but mostly he converted Jews. Paganism was not rapidly stamped out by state repression following the vision and conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine in 312 AD, but gradually disappeared as people abandoned the temples in response to the superior appeal of Christianity. The "oriental" faiths—such as those devoted to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of love and magic, and to Cybele, the fertility goddess of Asia Minor—actually prepared the way for the rapid spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire. Contrary to generations of historians, the Roman mystery cult of Mithraism posed no challenge to Christianity to become the new faith of the empire— it allowed no female members and attracted only soldiers. By analyzing concrete data, Stark is able to challenge the conventional wisdom about early Christianity offering the clearest picture ever of how this more...

Price: $13.99

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades describes the world of the Middle Ages and the events that began in 1095 in vivid detail. Here you’ll meet crusaders such as Godfrey of Bouillon, the deeply religious leader of a Frankish army, who wrestled a bear - and won. You’ll learn why the Europeans called the Moslems 'Saracens' and what modern banking owes to monastic knights. You’ll even discover how one crusader’s case of dysentery was instrumental in the conquest of Jerusalem. So get ready for a tour of the tumultuous Crusades. And when you’re through, you’ll understand the basics of one of the most fascinating periods in history. more...

Price: $18.95

This inspiring and best-selling book has long been speaking to the hearts of men, and its words continue to be highly relevant. Using biblical wisdom, engaging illustrations, practical suggestions for daily living, and personal study questions, Kent Hughes offers hard-hitting discussion on major areas of Christian manhood: marriage, fatherhood, friendship, purity, integrity, leadership, prayer, ministry, and more. more...

Price: $12.79

Effective October 1, 2002, Joyce Meyer's bestselling backlist is available exclusively from Warner Faith. And look for the first of several new major books from Joyce beginning in April 2003. more...

Price: $9.99

Tim LaHaye, creator of the Left Behind® series, blends suspense and Biblical prophecy in a new series of thrillers with a chilling relevance to the events of our time. Here are ancient secrets never before revealed, dire warnings, and a man who must rise to face the greatest evil of all. more...

Price: $7.99