{"product_id":"2940169446999","title":"A Modern Scholar: From Jesus to Christianity: A History of the Early Church","description":"\u003cp\u003eEntrusting the apostles to continue the work he had  started by instructing them to ¿Go therefore and make  disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the  Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .,¿ Jesus kindled  the fires of a new religion in a world largely dominated  by polytheism, cult leader worship, and mysticism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn  the first century of its existence, Christianity was both  welcomed and vilified throughout the Roman Empire.  Many of Christianity¿s original adherents were martyred¿murdered by those who believed it a danger to their  authority or, at the very least, the cause of unrest among  an otherwise docile populace.  Christians themselves practiced their religion with great  diversity, linked as much to local influences as theology.  Political intrigue, theological beliefs, and simple misunderstandings  created a need for dialogue between the  many practitioners of the growing faith.  Christianity¿s adoption as the official faith of the Roman  state tied it inexorably to the fortunes of the Empire. This  also helped to create a gulf between the two main  theological branches of the religion, which remain to  this day.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recorded Books, LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47162069057776,"sku":"2940169446999","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940169446999_p0.jpg?v=1763682866","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940169446999","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}