Here is the entire text of The Didache:I have just learned there is a book called The Didache. I was wondering what the history of this book is, its importance and if there is a publishing which is purchasable for reading. What I have learned so far seems very interesting.
Its importance is debatable. There are some things that are rather odd in it, such as the directions about prophets and apostles. How widespread was its use? Who wrote it?You could call it the first RCIA manual for the Church.
It doesn’t seem odd if you consider it in 1st century terms. It explains how Christians could differentiate between true teachers and false. There were many in the 1st century who were using the faithful for monetary gain, and others who were creating their own faith and claiming it was the true Christian faith.Its importance is debatable. There are some things that are rather odd in it, such as the directions about prophets and apostles.
Well, then, the apostle Paul must have been a false apostle according to the Didache (11.3), because he stayed in many places more than three days! And prophets were not to be tested when speaking in a spirit, in direct contrast to Paul’s directions in 1 Corinthians.It doesn’t seem odd if you consider it in 1st century terms. It explains how Christians could differentiate between true teachers and false. There were many in the 1st century who were using the faithful for monetary gain, and others who were creating their own faith and claiming it was the true Christian faith.
It is included in the Penguin Classics edition of “Early Christian Writings”, which also includes many other writings from the same period:I have just learned there is a book called The Didache. I was wondering what the history of this book is, its importance and if there is a publishing which is purchasable for reading. What I have learned so far seems very interesting.
Excuse me, but it means “teaching”. The word for twelve is δώδεκα* dodeka*, which can be confusableed: didache-dodeka. The title is “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” which in Greek has both terms.The word “didache” means Twelve.
It was commonplace to write something and then slap a big name on it. All the Gnostic gospels and acts have a Big Name, for example. The Gospel of Thomas, Acts of Peter, etc. So there is no guarantee the apostles were even aware of it.The idea is that the original work was made up of a brief contribution from each of the Twelve Apostles.
Which is why Tradition (capital T) is also important as well as the writings of the other church fathers.Excuse me, but it means “teaching”. The word for twelve is δώδεκα* dodeka*, which can be confusableed: didache-dodeka. The title is “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” which in Greek has both terms.
It was commonplace to write something and then slap a big name on it. All the Gnostic gospels and acts have a Big Name, for example. The Gospel of Thomas, Acts of Peter, etc. So there is no guarantee the apostles were even aware of it.
Sorry, I don’t follow you here. Because the two terms sound alike? I don’t think so…Which is why Tradition (capital T) is also important as well as the writings of the other church fathers.
Not if you consider that it was written to established communities. Paul specifically worked so that he was not a burden to the community. This is talking about traveling preachers who are unknown to the community. It also teaches about those that come to stay for much longer time, which is what Paul would have been.Well, then, the apostle Paul must have been a false apostle according to the Didache (11.3), because he stayed in many places more than three days! And prophets were not to be tested when speaking in a spirit, in direct contrast to Paul’s directions in 1 Corinthians.
It’s interesting also that in 15 they appointed to themselves bishops and deacons - no mention here of outside direction or rule. Sounds like a bunch of congregationalists to me!
Well, SOMEBODY wrote the Epistle to the Romans and the Epistle to the Hebrews. You might have heard of those letters - they happen to be in your Bible (and in mine).EIt was commonplace to write something and then slap a big name on it. All the Gnostic gospels and acts have a Big Name, for example. The Gospel of Thomas, Acts of Peter, etc. So there is no guarantee the apostles were even aware of it.
is the word “didache” latin? I was wondering what it meant. thank you for saying it means Twelve.The word “didache” means Twelve. The idea is that the original work was made up of a brief contribution from each of the Twelve Apostles.
This idea is almost certainly nonsense. But it does not mean that the Didache is nonsense. It remains an important (though not doctrinal) source of information about the Early Church, regardless of who the author(s) might have been. It is one of the most ancient non-Biblical Christian texts.
now I am confused. is the word greek then. does it mean teaching or twelve?Excuse me, but it means “teaching”. The word for twelve is δώδεκα* dodeka*, which can be confusableed: didache-dodeka. The title is “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” which in Greek has both terms.
It was commonplace to write something and then slap a big name on it. All the Gnostic gospels and acts have a Big Name, for example. The Gospel of Thomas, Acts of Peter, etc. So there is no guarantee the apostles were even aware of it.
It doesn’t really matter. I will accept Tomyris’ post that the title means “teaching of the Twelve.”now I am confused. is the word greek then. does it mean teaching or twelve?