BB Xtra: The Didache Part 1
The Didache: Rediscovering Christianity's Earliest Church Manual
For many Christians today, the Bible is the sole source of Christian teaching and practice. But what if there was another document – not divinely inspired, but immensely valuable – that showed how the earliest followers of Jesus actually lived? That's exactly what the Didache provides. This ancient church manual, written either during or shortly after the composition of the New Testament (50-100 AD), offers a fascinating window into early Christian life and reveals surprisingly relevant guidance for modern believers.
The word "Didache" is Greek for "teaching," and its full title translates to "The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles Through the Twelve Disciples." While not divinely inspired scripture, it served as a practical handbook synthesizing Christian teachings during a time when the complete Bible wasn't yet compiled or widely available. For early believers without access to all four Gospels or Paul's letters, the Didache may have been their primary guide for Christian living – a sort of "Christianity 101" manual for new converts across the Roman world.
The document begins by presenting two paths: the way of life and the way of death. This ethical framework immediately positions Christian living as a choice between fundamentally different approaches. The Didache's "way of life" mirrors Jesus' teachings remarkably, especially the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule. It emphasizes loving God and one's neighbor while encouraging radical forgiveness: "Bless them that curse you. Pray for your enemies, fast for those who persecute you." Even two thousand years later, this call to extraordinary love for enemies remains as countercultural today as it was then.
What's perhaps most striking about the Didache is its direct, unambiguous moral guidance. While modern Christians often debate ethical issues, the early church spoke with surprising clarity. Chapter Two contains explicit prohibitions against abortion: "Thou shalt not destroy a child by abortion. Neither shalt thou slay him that is born." This demonstrates that opposition to abortion was not a modern political position but present from Christianity's earliest days. The document similarly addresses magic arts, sorcery, and even astrology as practices incompatible with Christian faithfulness – guidance that might challenge many contemporary believers casually engaging with horoscopes.
The Didache's wisdom extends beyond prohibitions to practical financial stewardship. Its counsel to "let thine alms sweat into thy hand until thou discernest unto whom thou givest" strikes a beautiful balance between generosity and wisdom. Rather than reckless giving or selfish hoarding, it advocates thoughtful, intentional generosity – a principle that remains profoundly relevant in our complex world of charitable options and financial pressures. This ancient wisdom parallels modern financial advice while maintaining spiritual purpose.
Perhaps most challenging to modern sensibilities is the Didache's view of divine sovereignty: "The operations of God that befall thee, shalt thou accept as good, knowing that without God, nothing comes to pass." This profound theological perspective encourages believers to accept all circumstances – even difficult ones – as ultimately working within God's purposes. Such teaching offers both tremendous comfort and significant challenge to believers struggling with suffering or uncertainty, reminding them that nothing happens outside God's control or knowledge.
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