Author(s)
Wim A. DreyerKeywords
Church growthearly church
text analysis
quantitative social methods
institutional church
The Bible
BS1-2970
Practical Theology
BV1-5099
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Show full item recordAbstract
The church grew rapidly during the first centuries. The question is: Why? Generations of scholars approached this question from different perspectives and with different methods. Historical research, analysis of early Christian texts and theological reflection were the most common methods used to shed light on the growth of the church. In this contribution five different models of growth were discussed, using the approach of A.M. Schor as a point of departure. These models of church growth were put under the headings of an apostolic mission model, values reproduction model, social reaction model, network model with an institutional model added.Date
2012-01-01Type
ArticleIdentifier
oai:doaj.org/article:0ea0dfa1a88f45b9af969e0b1eeb4dd30259-9422
2072-8050
10.4102/hts.v68i1.1268
https://doaj.org/article/0ea0dfa1a88f45b9af969e0b1eeb4dd3