| Alan Garrow Didache |
Didache Basics
What is the Didache?
The full title of the Didache (pronounced Did-ah-kay) is, 'The Teaching of the Lord, by the Twelve Apostles, to the Gentiles'. It includes instructions about Baptism, Eucharist, prayer and fasting, visitors, leadership and the events of the End.
The full title of the Didache (pronounced Did-ah-kay) is, 'The Teaching of the Lord, by the Twelve Apostles, to the Gentiles'. It includes instructions about Baptism, Eucharist, prayer and fasting, visitors, leadership and the events of the End.
When was it written?
The date is much disputed. Some scholars put it as early as AD 50, others as late as the third century. In reality it is unhelpful to talk about the Didache having a date - it seems to have been through a number of stages of development.
The date is much disputed. Some scholars put it as early as AD 50, others as late as the third century. In reality it is unhelpful to talk about the Didache having a date - it seems to have been through a number of stages of development.
Is it important?
The Didache is potentially very important because it provides information about early Christianity that isn't provided anywhere else. It's true value can't be realised, however, until we have a firmer idea about who wrote it, to whom, for what purpose and when.
The Didache is potentially very important because it provides information about early Christianity that isn't provided anywhere else. It's true value can't be realised, however, until we have a firmer idea about who wrote it, to whom, for what purpose and when.
Why didn't it get into the New Testament?
The Didache was included in some versions of the early Christian canon - but it didn't make the cut in the end. It isn't possible to know the reasons for this exactly, but a few guesses can be made. First, the Didache is a practical document - so its instructions became quickly out of date. Second, it is a very Jewish text - which might have reduced its appeal by the time the canon came to be fixed in the fourth century. Third, most of the useful material is available in more accessible form in Matthew's Gospel.
The Didache was included in some versions of the early Christian canon - but it didn't make the cut in the end. It isn't possible to know the reasons for this exactly, but a few guesses can be made. First, the Didache is a practical document - so its instructions became quickly out of date. Second, it is a very Jewish text - which might have reduced its appeal by the time the canon came to be fixed in the fourth century. Third, most of the useful material is available in more accessible form in Matthew's Gospel.