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Comparing the spread of Christianity to the East to its more successful spread to the West, Montgomery illustrates the uneven diffusion of one of the world's most influential and successful religions. Through his sociological analysis, the author examines the causes for Christianity's success to the West and its relative failings in major societies to the east of Jerusalem, including India, Persia, and China. Applying five variables, including Christianity's missionary orientation, geography, intersocietal relations, sociocultural structures, and individual perceptions, Montgomery provides a theory of the diffusion of religion in general, and of Christianity in particular.
Beginning by laying out the variables he will apply to the study, Montgomery carefully explains his approach, introducing the reader to this unique field of study. He then moves on to examine Christianity's earliest spread to areas east of Jerusalem. An examination of the rise of Islam in the East precedes a comparative analysis of the success of Christianity in its spread to the West to its relative failure to spread to the East. He concludes with a discussion of religious pluralism. Groundbreaking in its attempt to establish a better understanding of religious diffusion, this work will be indispensable to those interested in the study of sociology of religions, religious studies, missionary studies, and Christianity.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
Between the Empires
The Nearest Empire to the East
The Great Civilization of South Asia
Central Asia and China
The Rise of a New Order
A Comparative Analysis
Religious Pluralism: Past, Present, and Future
Appendix: Social Scientific Concepts and Theories and the Spread of Religions
References
Index
About the author
ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY is a retired missionary, teacher, and minister. He has published numerous journal articles, and his books include
The Diffusion of Religions: A Sociological Perspective, and
Introduction to the Sociology of Missions (Praeger 1999).
