Following The Ancient Paths

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

The Didache

AcceptanceWithJoy, a dear friend, reminded me of a treasure that I came across about a year ago. I'm going to give the links to these documents and articles, so please take the time to look at them - they are quite worth it!

First there's the Didache itself. This is a writing that is attributed to the teachings of the apostles. The Early Christian Writings site says this: "It bears no date itself, nor does it make reference to any datable external event, yet the picture of the Church which it presents could only be described as primitive, reaching back to the very earliest stages of the Church's order and practice in a way which largely agrees with the picture presented by the NT, while at the same time posing questions for many traditional interpretations of this first period of the Church's life."

It is a quick read that is worth the time to digest. Of special interest to me tonight upon re-reading it was the backward quote of the teaching of Rabbi Hillel, "Whatever you do not wish to happen to you, do not do to another." It is striking how it, along with the rest of Scripture, admonishes believers to train up their children: "Do not remove your hand from yoru son or daughter; rather, teach them the fear of God from their youth." Speaking of the way of life vs. the way of death and how to discern a false teacher, and even the admonition to pray "the Lord's Prayer" three times daily. Rather than list everything that I find interesting to be in an "early church" document, I think I'll stop and let you look for yourself.

As for writings about the Didache, here are some interesting articles to go along with the Didache itself. These are from a variety of sources, to give a variety of input. I'm curious what others think...
What The Teaching Can Teach Us
An Ancient Jewish-Christian Eucharistic Prayer
The Didache from Wikipedia

This is a very good resource for those who would be studying the early years of the common era and the early church.

Blessings ~
Lisa

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - Thanks for the link

Posted by MoreLittleWilsons

I was reading Acceptance With Joy not 5 minutes ago and wondering where to get to read this.

I shall go read.

and continue my education about the way of life - that I may not walk in the way of death.

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Megan

This is very interesting!! It is so neat to see how similar the prayers are to the Jewish blessings and that the Lord's Prayer was said three times a day. That seems to point to them saying it at the appointed times of prayer.
Blessings,
Meg

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