This essay will look at the Didache, it will start by looking at what the Didache is. Then looking at each part separately and discussing the contents, it will summarise each section of the Didache before analysing the possible use. It will then discuss how and why this is important for contemporary church historians.
The Didache is quite a short work which is written in a very straightforward, practical way. It was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered in 1873 by Archbishop Bryennios, in the Greek Codex Hierosolymitanus, then first published in English in 1883. It has two titles, the short title is Training of the Twelve Disciples, while the longer title is Training of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles to the Gentiles. Since both titles start with the Greek word Didache (Training), this has become what it is referred to as. The Didache was by far the most popular document outside the New Testament scriptures in the Early Church.
There are 16 chapters within, which can be divided into 4 parts. The first part (chapters 1-6) is moral instructions which highlight the “Two Ways” (the Way of Life and the Way of Death). The second part (chapters 7-10) is about dealing with baptism, fasting, and Communion. The third part (chapters 11-15) concerns the ministry and how to deal with travelling prophets. While the final part (chapter 16) is a …show more content…
The Greek word for “sacrifice” (thysia) is used in the Didache as opposed to “holocaust” (enagismos). Thysia is associated with a fellowship meal so the Eucharistic meal was seen as a “sacrifice” even though there was no ritual of animal slaughter. Due to “holocaust” (enagismos) being omitted this gives the impression that confession of failings and being reconciled were not believed to be required for forgiveness or atonement, in the Didache divine forgiveness is associated with the return of
The Didache is quite a short work which is written in a very straightforward, practical way. It was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered in 1873 by Archbishop Bryennios, in the Greek Codex Hierosolymitanus, then first published in English in 1883. It has two titles, the short title is Training of the Twelve Disciples, while the longer title is Training of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles to the Gentiles. Since both titles start with the Greek word Didache (Training), this has become what it is referred to as. The Didache was by far the most popular document outside the New Testament scriptures in the Early Church.
There are 16 chapters within, which can be divided into 4 parts. The first part (chapters 1-6) is moral instructions which highlight the “Two Ways” (the Way of Life and the Way of Death). The second part (chapters 7-10) is about dealing with baptism, fasting, and Communion. The third part (chapters 11-15) concerns the ministry and how to deal with travelling prophets. While the final part (chapter 16) is a …show more content…
The Greek word for “sacrifice” (thysia) is used in the Didache as opposed to “holocaust” (enagismos). Thysia is associated with a fellowship meal so the Eucharistic meal was seen as a “sacrifice” even though there was no ritual of animal slaughter. Due to “holocaust” (enagismos) being omitted this gives the impression that confession of failings and being reconciled were not believed to be required for forgiveness or atonement, in the Didache divine forgiveness is associated with the return of