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The Way of the Didache: The First Christian Handbook: The First Christian Handbook
In 1873, a copy of the long lost Didache was discovered in a library in Constantinople. Since its publication a decade later, this little book has attracted a large amount of scholarly attention due to the light its sheds on the beliefs and practices of the early Christians. Dr. William Varner has written this volume to familiarize readers with these past and present scholarly discussions. Dr. Varner offers his own analytical translation of the Didache and sets forth some fresh ideas about the book's original purpose and its relationship to the New Testament. He also suggests how the message of this first Christian handbook can inform the church today. This is an accessible introduction, not only to an ancient Christian text, but also to how the earliest Christians responded to the challenge of their new lives.
- GenresTheology
158 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2007
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 24, 2021
This was a little book I have waited some time to read. Having sat under the teaching of the author, Dr. William Varner, it was refreshing to be under his teaching again, through this book.
The translation of Didache is worth the cost of this book alone. The ability to read not only the Greek text, but Varner’s translation is making this a priceless addition to the resources I already use.
This book, though written simply, provides a much better aid to those of the academic and scholarly field. That is not to say however, that the average church goer could not benefit from Varner’s labor. But, those who hold a real interest in NT studies, early Christian literature, or the Greek language would likely benefit much more than those who show little interest in those things. That being said, those who have prior knowledge to either Didache, other early church literature, or even a good understanding of the NT academically would be at a great advantage when reading this book, not only in the argument presented, but even thinking through the impact of Didache in the early church and its impact for believers today.
On a personal level, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though some chapters served a greater benefit in the first read through than others, all points addressed in each chapter had impact. Seeing the heavy saturation of Scripture in the teaching of Didache was a great encouragement of the weight and importance the early church placed on Scripture for their lives. Likewise, seeing the Didache having almost an exclusive dependence on Matthew served as an excellent resource for the early dating of Matthew.
The author of Didache has such a strong emphasis on living out the Christian faith, that it pairs well with what James wrote as likely the earliest NT epistle. These contribute to an understanding of what the early church was focused on and how it was modeled.
Didache, as well as Varner’s commentary, provides edifying teaching for the Church today.
My problems with the book:
- At times the writing is dry and stuffy.
- There are several spelling errors that would have been avoided had the author read back over once more—this is something I notice in several of Varner’s books.
- A few chapters feel either rushed or unfinished in comparison to other chapters.
Overall, the contribution Varner offers to the conversation is true and helpful. He handles the subject in a professional and honest way as a scholar. He also provides some interesting perspectives juxtaposed with other scholars on the subject. Varner is by far one of my favorite scholars, and this book is a testimony as to why.
Personally, I would like to see Varner revisit the subject and add to the conversation after the years of learning and growth he has as a scholar and teacher since he wrote this work.
Highly recommend saints serious about learning add this to their bookshelves.
The translation of Didache is worth the cost of this book alone. The ability to read not only the Greek text, but Varner’s translation is making this a priceless addition to the resources I already use.
This book, though written simply, provides a much better aid to those of the academic and scholarly field. That is not to say however, that the average church goer could not benefit from Varner’s labor. But, those who hold a real interest in NT studies, early Christian literature, or the Greek language would likely benefit much more than those who show little interest in those things. That being said, those who have prior knowledge to either Didache, other early church literature, or even a good understanding of the NT academically would be at a great advantage when reading this book, not only in the argument presented, but even thinking through the impact of Didache in the early church and its impact for believers today.
On a personal level, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though some chapters served a greater benefit in the first read through than others, all points addressed in each chapter had impact. Seeing the heavy saturation of Scripture in the teaching of Didache was a great encouragement of the weight and importance the early church placed on Scripture for their lives. Likewise, seeing the Didache having almost an exclusive dependence on Matthew served as an excellent resource for the early dating of Matthew.
The author of Didache has such a strong emphasis on living out the Christian faith, that it pairs well with what James wrote as likely the earliest NT epistle. These contribute to an understanding of what the early church was focused on and how it was modeled.
Didache, as well as Varner’s commentary, provides edifying teaching for the Church today.
My problems with the book:
- At times the writing is dry and stuffy.
- There are several spelling errors that would have been avoided had the author read back over once more—this is something I notice in several of Varner’s books.
- A few chapters feel either rushed or unfinished in comparison to other chapters.
Overall, the contribution Varner offers to the conversation is true and helpful. He handles the subject in a professional and honest way as a scholar. He also provides some interesting perspectives juxtaposed with other scholars on the subject. Varner is by far one of my favorite scholars, and this book is a testimony as to why.
Personally, I would like to see Varner revisit the subject and add to the conversation after the years of learning and growth he has as a scholar and teacher since he wrote this work.
Highly recommend saints serious about learning add this to their bookshelves.
February 12, 2023
I figured I needed to read more about the Didache and its connection to Antioch and the early church. I chose two books in hard copy. This was the shorter, but it looked more technical, in part because of the extensive notes and the much smaller print. I figured it would take longer to read than the other and would be less interesting. Surprisingly, that turned out not to be the case. This was by far the better book of the two. Perhaps, that's because I was looking for something that would be more historical in focus, and this certainly was that.
Varner discusses the history of the discovery of the Didache, a handbook used by earlier Christians, and how that discovery led us to understand that we'd had versions of what was referenced in other works all along in yet other early works. Varner than provides his own translation of the Didache with extensive notations regarding how various passages mirror passages in the New Testament, which itself was very useful. He then focuses on the where and when it was written and to whom; whether the work, which uses parallel passages in Matthew, predated Matthew, postdated Matthew, or drew from the same source, presenting various interesting theories; posits an idea that the first part of the work (the so-called Two Ways chapters) was intended as a baptismal preparation guide; questions whether Jewish sources were the origin of that material; discusses the various rites and church organization guidelines discussed in the second half of the book (baptism, eucharist, ordination) and the short apocalypse section at the end of the book, offering cogent points at each about what this community was likely like.
Varner discusses the history of the discovery of the Didache, a handbook used by earlier Christians, and how that discovery led us to understand that we'd had versions of what was referenced in other works all along in yet other early works. Varner than provides his own translation of the Didache with extensive notations regarding how various passages mirror passages in the New Testament, which itself was very useful. He then focuses on the where and when it was written and to whom; whether the work, which uses parallel passages in Matthew, predated Matthew, postdated Matthew, or drew from the same source, presenting various interesting theories; posits an idea that the first part of the work (the so-called Two Ways chapters) was intended as a baptismal preparation guide; questions whether Jewish sources were the origin of that material; discusses the various rites and church organization guidelines discussed in the second half of the book (baptism, eucharist, ordination) and the short apocalypse section at the end of the book, offering cogent points at each about what this community was likely like.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews