I am not sure if this topic has been dealt with in the forum but I think it really worth mentioning. I have three main questions regarding the Didache that I think Catholics may need to take into consideration.
- What is the “didache?”
- Is it justifiable for Catholic apologists to make reference to the didache?
- If the didache is justifiable why was it not included in the canon of scriptures?
The Didache was used as an instructional aid for catechumens … as such it is more like the earliest Catechism / Sacramentary …
It is not written as a Gospel - works that describe the teachings, events and mission of Christ. Nor like Acts [a companion to the Gospel of Luke that describes the period of time after the Crucifixion until Pentecost, first ecumenical council in Jerusalem and the early action of the Apostles immediately after Jesus’ Ascension.
Nor is it written as a letter to a specific community or to address issues that were arising in the early and dispersed church communities.
That does not mean that there are not wonderful bits of information contained in its information. This is probably the earlies place where we fins the doxology to the Lord’s Prayer [a liturgical addition - something added to the Lord’s prayer when prayed in community and at the celbration of Mass.]
We have included regulations for baptism [and three valid forms from full immersion to pouring] … proper form: “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” … discussion on fasting related to baptismal preparation, the one to be baptized, the baptizer and as many of the Communtiy of Believes as can.
We also have a discussion of weekly fasting [Wednesday and Friday] as opposed to the Jewish - referred to as hypocrits:blush: - practice of Tuesday and Thursday].
We have an early Eucharistic Prayer [they blessed the cup before the bread] and the fact htat baptism is necessary before Eucharist.
There are lots of instructions againts sins common to this day … like theft, adultery, homosexuality, pederasty/pedophelia, abortion, infanticide …
Read it, it is an easy read and one that illustrates how little the church has changed from the 1st century to today …