{"product_id":"the-beginnings-of-christianity-essene-mystery-gnostic-revelation-and-the-christian-vision-9780863154485","title":"The Beginnings of Christianity: Essene Mystery  Gnostic Revelation and the Christian Vision","description":"\u003cp\u003eEarly Christianity had a powerful esoteric current. This is reflected in the New Testament writings of Mark  Paul and above all  John. Gnostic Christians tried to preserve this tradition  using the archaic mysteries as a way to knowledge (gnosis) of higher cosmic truths. But the Gnostic sects were finally suppressed by an orthodoxy which  Andrew Welburn concludes  had lost sight of the dynamic of the self. The full scope of the traditions on which the Gnostics drew is clearer following the modern archaeological finds at Qumran and Nag Hammadi. As a result of these discoveries  the boundaries have started to fade between the ancient pagan mysteries  Jewish tradition  especially as found in the Essene sect  and early Christian belief. Welburn discovers a real kinship between this present age and the early Christians  and shows how  in a way not possible for the Reformation Church  we now have the chance to rediscover the spiritual world and meaning of Christian beginnings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45651856949301,"sku":"ByrdShop_0863154484","price":34.58,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780863154485.jpg?v=1781842378","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-beginnings-of-christianity-essene-mystery-gnostic-revelation-and-the-christian-vision-9780863154485","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}