Didache: An Ancient Future Catechism

by Anonymous, Mark Whitten

In a world where everything we thought we knew, seems to be shifting beneath our feet, it is comforting to know that our Christian faith is an unchanging and ancient one. With knowledge increasing exponentially, how can we expect to keep up? How do we find solid ground in the midst of fundamental transformation? How can we get the answers we need for our daily Christian life without sifting through a thousand different interpretations and opinions of armchair theologians? Reliable, relevant, and historical guidance can only be found in one place…its original source. We must go back and uncover the ancient wells of our faith to find what is true, what is certain, what is rooted. Too often, we hear of "how things were done in the early church" by preachers and teachers using scant portions of the Bible (often out of context) to formulate a theology for Christian living in postmodernity. Although Scripture gives us glimpses of that daily life and forms a foundation of principles to live by in the New Covenant, it does not explicitly show how the early church trained its new converts, administered its sacraments, or organized its government. Didache: An Ancient-Future Catechism uncovers this primitive protocol of our faith’s most original members, and uses it as an anchor for grounding personal and corporate worship practices.

Even within the various traditions and movements of the Church, there seem to be ever-encroaching grey areas that are no longer simple to define. This uncertainty leaves us doubting our churches, our leaders, and ultimately our faith. There is however, a simple, straightforward, Scripture-aligned text that gives us the black and white answers we so desperately need in our greying world. This work has served the church as an anchor and a guidepost for nearly to two-thousand years; and will continue to do so if we embrace and uncover its treasures old and new.

The Didache served the early church as a sort of handbook for Christian living. It is concrete and specific in its instruction on ethics, sacraments, and organization of the Church. There is little doubt that the Didache was used to prepare new converts for Baptism and to instruct Gentile believers in the faith. The text dates back as far as the first century and is referenced by early Christians such as Eusebius, Athanasius, and Rufinus, as well as others.

If you are searching for clear, unabashed answers for Christian living, Didache: An Ancient Future Catechism is a great place to start. It is an ancient source that can be trusted. This book, with its dynamic adaptation includes the original text and may be used as a catechism for new believers or baptismal candidates, a devotional text for individuals, a book study for small groups, a guide for sermons, or whatever other edifying endeavor one might find use for it in a personal or corporate setting.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, History, Church History

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 70

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[فؤاد · Rating 3 out of 5]

آن گاه که خداوند از پیامبران پیمان گرفت که هرگاه به شما کتاب و حکمتی دادم، سپس پیامبری نزدتان آمد و آن چه با شماست را تصدیق کرد، به او ایمان بیاورید و یاری‌اش کنید.
آل عمران:‌ ۸۱

پیامبرشناسی قرآن برای کسی که با آموزه‌های کلاسیک اسلامی بزرگ شده باشد، عجیب و غیرقابل فهم می‌نماید. بر خلاف سازوکار سرراست پیامبرشناسی کلاسیک اسلامی (وحی، معجزه) پیامبر قرآن مکرراً از معجزه آوردن اجتناب می‌کند، با این توضیح گیج‌کننده که «مگر من غیر از یک انسانم؟» (اسراء: ۹۳)
در عوض از مخاطبان می‌خواهد به پیامبر ایمان بیاورند صرفاً چون گفتار او با گفتار پیامبران قبلی مطابقت دارد، و این را به پیمانی نسبت می‌دهد که نه در تورات و نه در انجیل یافت نمی‌شود. همچنین بارها در قرآن تأکید شده که پیامبر از مردم مزدی نمی‌طلبد و هر چه خواسته به خودشان داده (سبأ: ۴۷)، و همین به عنوان دلیل صدق او به شمار آمده و در مقابل کسانی که در مقابل وحی ادعایی خود پولی طلب می‌کنند، به عنوان پیامبران دروغین نفرین شده‌اند. (بقره: ۷۹)

و اگر این پیامبرشناسی تا اینجا عجیب نیست، باید این را هم اضافه کرد که در نهایت پیامبر می‌گوید اگر من پیامبری دروغین باشم، گناهش به گردن خود من است و شما حق محکوم کردن مرا ندارید. (هود: ۳۵)

تمام این سازوکار در نظر ما که پیامبرشناسی‌مان تحت تأثیر آموزه‌های کلاسیک اسلامی شکل گرفته، نامفهوم و غریب می‌نماید و جز با توجیهات فراوان با تعالیم کلاسیک اسلامی سازگار نمی‌شود. اما دیشب در کمال شگفتی فهمیدم این پیامبرشناسی تا حد زیادی منطبق بر آموزه‌های دیداخه، دستورالعمل اخلاقی و آیینی کلیسا در قرن‌های نخست مسیحی است.
فصل یازدهم دیداخه تماماً به دستورالعمل مواجهه با پیامبران اختصاص یافته و شرط پذیرش پیامبر، نه آوردن معجزه، بلکه مطابقت آموزه‌هایش با تعالیم مسیحیت عنوان شده. برعکس معجزه آوردن از دید دیداخه نشانهٔ دجال است که با کارهای عجیب و خارق‌العاده می‌خواهد خود را پسر خدا و در نتیجه فراتر از انسان بنماید. مهم‌ترین نشانهٔ پیامبر راستین، آن است که از مردم مزدی طلب نمی‌کند یا هر چه می‌طلبد به نیازمندان می‌دهد. در نهایت مسئولیت مردم آزمودن پیامبر نیست، بلکه باید بی آزمایش به او ایمان بیاورند. اگر پیامبر در واقع دروغگو باشد، مسئولیتی متوجه مردم نیست و خدا خود طرف حساب پیامبران دروغین است.

گزیدهٔ فصل یازدهم دیداخه:
اگر کسی آمد و همه چیزهایی را که در بالا گفته شد به شما تعلیم داد‌ وی را بپذیرید. اما اگر آن معلم برگشت و تعلیمی دیگر برای باطل کردن این‌ها داد به او گوش ندهید. هر رسولی را که نزدتان می‌آید مانند خداوند بپذیرید. و هیچ نبی‌ای را که در روح سخن می‌گوید آزمایش نکنید و محکوم ننمایید. زیرا همهٔ گناهان آمرزیده می‌شود اما این گناه آمرزیده نمی‌شود. هر نبی که آنچه را تعلیم می‌دهد بدان عمل می‌کند، او را محکوم ننمایید، زیرا قضاوت وی با خداست، زیرا انبیای پیشین نیز چنین می‌کردند. اگر کسی بگوید به من پول و چیز دیگری بده، به او گوش ندهید. اما اگر بگوید که به نیازمندان دیگر داده شود، کسی او را محکوم نکند.

از فصل شانزدهم:
در روزهای آخر انبیای دروغین و مفسدان زیاد خواهند شد. در آن زمان فریبندهٔ جهان [دجال] به عنوان پسر خدا ظاهر خواهد شد و آیات و معجزاتی انجام خواهد داد و زمین به دست او داده خواهد شد.

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably our earliest writing, outside of the New Testament itself, of the teachings and tradition of the Early Christian Church.

In many ways --- in my opinion --- it reads almost as a summary of much of what is discussed by the Apostles in the New Testament. And, if so, I think that this makes sense. In the first and second centuries AD, the Church was very small and often operated underground due to the persecution and discrimination of the Roman authorities. As such, very few churches had a complete New Testament, much less a complete Bible. A book like "The Didache" --- brief, concise, comparatively easy to reproduce and publish in comparison with an entire Bible --- would make a good reference for ensuring that Christendom would largely remain similar and standardized in belief and practice, despite being scattered from Britain to Parthia and beyond and despite not having a complete set of scriptures to study and reference.

I'd heard anecdotally that The Didache contained specific guidance on how early Christians did worship and handled sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, weddings, and funerals. Unfortunately, I found none on either weddings or funerals. Regarding baptism, there is nothing in The Didache to suggest either that infant baptisms were or were not performed.

While this book was informative and did give me useful information on early Christian beliefs and worship, I can only give this edition 4 stars. Given its place in Christian history, I really think that work of this importance must have either have a preface in the beginning --- or some commentary within it to give readers a better understanding of it. Unfortunately, this edition has neither -- which would have been very helpful to readers.

I recommend this book for anyone desiring to learn more about Early Christianity and theology.

[Old Dog Diogenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely short document from the early church that exemplifies the importance of the gospel teachings of Christ to the church and provides interesting insight into early church rituals such as baptism, prayer, fasting, and the eucharist.

[Jonathan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read. Writings of the early church are often ignored but highly needed for perspective on the solid doctrines of the faith that we often forget in our modern denominational squabbles. If doctrine is a tree, the modern church is in the leaves too often. We need to get back to the trunk and build from there.

[Mark Rizk Farag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and short work dated to the first or early second century. Read this out of interest to explore early Church history and was surprised to find extensive quotations from the Gospel in it.

[Scott Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful early compilation of Christian belief and practice. This is a favorite resource for reflection and meditation. Perhaps we should go back?

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Clement’s epistle to the church at Corinth, The Didache is something everyone even slightly interested in Christian history ought to read. It takes only 20-30 minutes, though it’s not a bad idea to get a book with multiple translations and go through it a few times. It’s very likely this catechism-like document was written by either the first or second generation of Christians. It was well known in the early church but only rediscovered again in 1873. The early parts read like a fragmentary reconstruction of the Sermon on the Mount and other of Christ’s teachings in the Gospels. Later chapters deal with the proper observance of the sacraments and attitudes toward true and false ministers. Perhaps one of the most striking features of the document is the evidence here that a full-blown doctrine of the Trinity was already being applied in the earliest days of the church.

Note: read it online here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/f...

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. I took many, many notes on this as this letter touches on so many important areas of theology. This letter should be discussed more and its contents considered heavily in any church's statement of faith or Systematic Theology course in seminary.

[Greg D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing provocative or life-changing. In fact, it seems the authors of the Didache simply cut and paste snippets taken from the New Testament and pasted them into this collection of customs, rules, and regulations. Perhaps this was intentionally done since most of the early church didn't have the full canon of Scripture in their possession at this time (2nd century AD). Nevertheless, I am glad I read this historical document that the early church utilized. A document that gave me a brief glimpse into how the early church operated and worshipped during a time of great persecution and upheaval.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early Christian writings giving instructions to followers of Jesus. Very insightful to see how the earliest, probably first generation, followers of Jesus thought about following the Way of Christ.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago, probably in the 1990s when I first heard about it and was told that it offered proof that the earliest church believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is quick, easy read and should be a part of every Christian's required reading. Excellent!

[Brittany Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for any Christian. Super short—shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. There is a great free PDF online.

[J. Hord · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Amazon.com review:
This is a wonderful approach to delivering a text of this type. It begins with the original language text (Greek) and is followed by 4 different English translations. The original and translations are all organized into chapter/verse in order to quickly cross reference one to another. This makes it ideal for the Greek student wishing to see how various scholars have translated a given text. Thus making this a solid text for the scholar or the student of Greek and provides keen insights as a snapshot of the early Church. The Didache has been dated in the range of 50-120CE making it one of the earliest documents surviving from the early Church. Some believe The Didache stemmed from an earlier Jewish catechetical work with additions from the earliest Christian tradition, quite possibly originating with the Apostles. All of this makes this an ideal work for understanding the early Church as it really was from a primary source - a systematic teaching tool of the first century. A must have for anyone interested in the early Church or koine Greek.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early Christian Classic

This is an early example of Christian teachings and probably (not sure) the first text that explicitly prohibited abortion. Although this book is revered in Churches in the ancient traditions, it offers even to Free Church Protestants an example of Christian teaching in the time after the Twelve. Very short, readable in under 30 mins, recommended for Christians of all stripes.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book from the early church that I have ever read.

Every Christian should read this book at least once in their lives for a well-listed set of Christian ethics. Covers everything from everyday guidelines to the method of baptism to the Eucharist to many of the heresies that we still see around us today (Jesus Onlyism, Prosperity Gospel, etc)

[Caleb Nakhla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Didache interesting, commentary a bit boring.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, practical guide on the Christian Life. Written really early in the life of the Church (1st century). Includes the teachings of Jesus consolidated into one short document. Affirms the importance of Mass on Sundays and the Eucharist, as well as fasting and hospitality. My edition had some cool early hymns at the end.

Still holds up today. I was really interested in how there was a specific directive to pray the Our Father thrice a day. Then I thought about the way the Church prays the Liturgy of the hours, with an Our Father at Morning Prayer and at Evening Prayer. Add the one you might say at Daily Mass, and you’ve got all three!

[Erica Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the Roberts-Donaldson English Translation. The Didache was likely written sometime in 70-90 AD and is among the earliest church writings we have outside the Bible. While not considered part of the Biblical canon (contested authorship, not written by an Apostle, lacked Catholicity, etc.), it reiterates messages found in Scripture and provides church counsel, particularly regarding baptism, fasting and prayer, the Eucharist, and Christian reproof.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The English translation of this treatise is "The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles to the Nations." It is a First Century document whose author is unknown. In Acts 15, we read that the Apostles met at Jerusalem to discuss the issue of allowing Gentiles into the Church, and under what conditions that they can be admitted. In that text it states that the Apostles came to a decision and issued a letter with instructions to the Gentile converts. It would be wonderful to think that this work is that very letter. If so it would be very appropriate. It is a dramatic document that vividly portrays the challenges that Gentile Christians would face in the First Century Roman world.

The document begins dramatically with the admonition that there are two ways in life, the way of life and the way of death. Indeed, in the Roman world, the morality of the pagan world was in stark contrast to the way of Christ. To avoid the pitfalls of life in Roman cities, the Gentile converts are warned not to kill their children, neither before they are born nor afterward, and that they are to love their neighbor and honor the elders placed above them in the Church. In those days, the Christian stood out in stark contrast to his neighbors. And this, at a time when the Roman Empire actively persecuted Christians, meant that the convert would most likely be faced with the prospect of choosing between their Christian faith and their friends, their family, their business clients or even their lives. This document lays all of that out clearly.

Although this document was relatively unknown to the Western church before the Bishop of Constantinople made a gift of a copy of it to the British ambassador in the 1890s, its authenticity as a first century document is unmistakeable. This document is available for free in various places on the Internet in both Greek and English. I would highly recommend that Christians who want to know what life was like for Gentile Christians in the Apostolic Church should read this document.

[Darryl Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical church document that would be worth reading frequently (especially since it only takes about 20 minutes!) for its practicality and affirmation of New Testament doctrine and prescription of Christian life.

[Nouru-éddine · Rating 5 out of 5]

::انطباع عام::
++++++++
+ يا للصفاء والجمال! +
***
::الكتاب::
+++++++
إنَّ كتاب «ديداخي» أو «تعليم الرسل» أو عنوانه الطويل «تعليم الرب للأمم بواسطة الرسل الاثني عشر» يقدِّم نظرة شاملة عن حياة الكنيسة في نهاية القرن الميلادي الأول وبداية القرن الميلادي الثاني. ويحتوي على أولى إرشادات المعمودية التي كانت تعطيها الكنيسة الأولى لطالبي المعمودية. ورغم أن هذا الكتاب غير مدرج ضمن كتب الإنجيل، إلاَّ أنه من كتب التراث المسيحي المفيدة جدًا للحياة الروحية. ويتكون من ستة عشر فصلاً.

يتألف النص، الذي تُشكل أجزاء منه أقدم كتاب تعليمي مكتوب موجود، من ثلاثة أقسام رئيسية تتناول الأخلاق المسيحية، وطقوسًا مثل المعمودية والقربان المقدس، وتنظيم الكنيسة. تصف الفصول الافتتاحية طريق الحياة الفاضل وطريق الموت الشرير. ويشمل الكتاب صلاة الرب كاملةً. تتم المعمودية بالتغطيس، أو بالسكب إذا لم يكن التغطيس عمليًا. يُفرض الصوم يومي الأربعاء والجمعة.
***
::مقتبس::
+++++++
"يوجد طريقان: طريق الحياة وطريق الموت. وشتَّانَ ما بينهما. فطريق الحياة كالآتي: أولاً، أحبب الله خالقك؛ وثانيًا، أحبب قريبك كنفسك. ولا تعامل غيرك بما لا تحب أن يعاملك به!

والآن، إليكم ما يعنيه هذا التعليم: باركوا لاعنيكم، وصلُّوا من أجل أعدائكم. وصوموا من أجل مضطهديكم، فأيُّ فضلٍ لكم إن أحببتم الذين يحبونكم؟ ألا تفعل الأمم ذلك؟ أمَّا أنتم فأَحِبُّوا مبغضيكم، فلا يكون لكم أعداء. وابتعدوا عن الشهوات الجسدية والدنيوية. ومَنْ لطمك على خدك الأيمن فحَوِّل له الآخر أيضًا، وستكون كاملاً. ومَنْ سخرك أن تمشي معه ميلاً واحدًا فامشِ معه ميلين. ومَنْ يأخذ ثوبك فأترك له الرداء أيضًا. ومَنْ يستحوذ على ما هو لك فلا تسأله أن يَرُدَّه، لأنك لا تستطيع على أيِّ حال. أمَّا مَنْ يسألك حاجة فأعطِه، ولا تطالبه أبدًا بأن يرُدَّها، لأن مشيئة الآب هي أن الجميع ينبغي أن يشارك بعضهم بعضًا في العطايا التي تلقيناها.

طوبى لِمَنْ يعطي حسب الوصية، لأنه ليس مُذنِبًا. والويل لِمَنْ يأخذ. أمَّا إذا أخذ أحد عن عَوَز فهو ليس مُذنِبًا بالتأكيد، غير أن الذي يأخذ عن غير عَوَز سوف يُحاسَب عن السبب والهدف اللذين من أجلهما أخذ. وسوف يوضع في السجن، ويجري تفحُّص عمله مَليًّا، ولن يُطلق سراحه حتى يُسلِّم آخر فلس. إلاَّ أنه قد قيل أيضًا حول هذا الموضوع: لِتَعْرَقْ في يدك الحَسَنة النابعة من محبة قلبك حتى تجد من هو أولى لتقديمها له."
+.+.+.+.+.+

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I'm reading 1st Century Christian literature at 3:00 am but there ya go. Also this translation is pretty wack.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The early Church was Catholic.

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well put-together book. A few things I like about it:

1) Facing Greek text with English translation.
2) Lots of footnotes for references.
3) About 50 pages of commentary on context, meaning, interpretation, language, role, etc of the Didache for the community in which it was found.

If you want to learn about the Didache, then I would recommend this book.

[Gabriel Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I finished this book, I was pretty familiar with the teaching so it kind of was underwhelming to me a bit, but there was a phrase in it I loved, “Count all things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing comes except by God.”

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal reading the writings of the Apostles. I wish more fragments remained.

[Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Es muy bueno! No sabía que existía esto. Lástima que sea tan cortito.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting that abortion is listed as a sin. Apparently there were people even then who needed to be informed that it was not an acceptable procedure.

[Michael Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this. Good practical execution of the Christian life.

[Ethan Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look into early church worship practices and a sermon with admonitions to be separate from the world.