Conversion by the Numbers
Benefits and Pitfalls of Quantitative Modelling in the Study of Early Christian Growth
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10196890 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Adam M Schor (Long Island University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 472-498 |
| Publication date | 2009-11-16 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Religious History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-4227 • E-ISSN: 1467-9809 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9809.2009.00826.x |
| OpenAlex | W2010029012 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
Proponents and critics of numerically modelling early Christian growth have missed many complexities of this approach. This study re‐examines quantitative modelling by conducting “thought experiments,” built from initial assumptions to population projections. First, an “apostolic mission” model assumes that Christianity grew via persuasive leaders; it projects a cubic growth curve. Second, a “values reproduction” model ties higher reproduction and conversion to certain Christian values; it projects an exponential curve. Next, a “social reaction” model links growth to interconfessional interactions; it projects a logistic curve. Such formal models reveal numerical parameters of conversion and the impact of various assumptions. Together, they illustrate the variability of early Christian population projections. They also showcase limitations of traditional quantitative modelling, which tends to oversimplify social conditions, to mischaracterise ancient religion, and to inspire teleological reasoning. Newer “network” models can overcome only some of these limitations. Used carefully, however, quantitative methods supplement familiar socio‐cultural approaches
Econometrics · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Mathematics · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development
The attributes of the true church in the Nicene Creed and its relevance for ecumenism
The Social Network of Philip in Acts
Being church in the era of ‘homo digitalis’
The Christian sarcophagus population of Rome
Historical and Comparative Research on Social Diffusion
Complexity and Timeliness of the Term "Christendom" for Ecumenical Ecclesiology
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2014 - 2026 (13) |
| Highly cited | No |