Doug Hankins

Aug 20, 2024 | thegospelcoalition.org | Doug Hankins |Kirsten Franze |Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra |Ryan Welsh

In his book The Rise of Christianity, Rodney Stark points to the clear contrast between Christian selflessness and pagan self-interest during the Plague of Cyprian in the third century. Whereas pagans retreated to their country villas to escape the plague, Christians stayed behind in the cities to provide medical care, community support, and God-centered conversation for sufferers. Pagans ran away from their neighbors. Christians moved near.