The Didache

[SL20]

After reading a previous thread about the Church never officially closing the canon, I began to think…why wasn’t the Didache considered canonical? Does it have to do with it’s relative recent discovery? When compiling the inspiried books, I would think the early Church would have had access to the Didache? Could the early Church, not foreseeing any major schisms (at least not in the near future), not have included it due to the fact that it was always a basic understanding that the Eucharist, Baptism, etc. were established by Jesus Himself and were ment to be essentials in His Church?

Even just reading through it as a historical document, I believe it’s one of the best writings which proves that when concerning the sacraments, and Church teaching…not much has changed in 2000 years.

thanks for any replies

 

[Ghosty]

I think it’s not part of Canon because it’s essentially a pastoral document. It definately proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the Church was functioning as such at the earliest times, but it’s more like a mini-Catechism than anything. Personally I think it carries more weight as a non-Canonical item, because it shows that the Church doesn’t go around just making “holy” anything that proves its point, but YMMV.

 

[challenger]

Strictly speaking, it is not part of the Canon because it is not inspired : )

 

[dcmac]

“Strictly speaking, it is not part of the Canon because it is not inspired”

A half-truth, which this is, is worse than a whole lie.

What are we to think of the Deuterocanonical books?

What of the East’s canonical books, which are not a part of the Roman, or, the Protestant cannon?

Your half-truth is dangerous in this sense… strictly speaking.

Your unworthy brother in Christ and by the Grace of God a future Catholic priest,
Donnchadh

Agus go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís, go gcoinní Dia i mbosa a láimhe thú.
*(And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.)
*