Kloppenborg, John S.2020-11-302020-11-302020-07Kloppenborg, J. (2020). Recruitment to Elective Cults : Network Structure and Ecology. New Testament Studies, 66(3), 323-350. doi:10.1017/S0028688519000511.0028-6885 (print)1469-8145 (online)10.1017/S0028688519000511http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77195During the first and second centuries of the Common Era the Christ cult spread from rural Palestine to the large cities of the Empire. This article draws insights from social network theory and from epidemiology, arguing that the Christ cult was not a simple contagion, spread by simple contact, but a ‘complex contagion’ that required persuasion, especially because adherence to the Christ cult entailed potential social costs and demanded high signalling costs.en© Cambridge University Press 2020EpidemiologyChrist cultSocial costsRecruitmentEcologySocial networks1 Corinthians1 ThessaloniansPaulDiffusion of elective cultsCostly signallingTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsPostprint Article