Voice of the Church Fathers on Life

The Didache

The Didache is a second century catechism of the Church, written anonymously, but existing essentially as a work of the early Church Fathers. It consists of 16 short chapters and consists of the teachings of the New Testament. For instance, the first chapter is entitled “The Two Ways; the First Commandment” and it includes such statements as this: “Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there, if you love those who love you? Do not also the Gentiles do the same?” which is an echo of Matthew 5:43-47. The Didache also gives recommendations for how to celebrate the Eucharist, when the Church should assemble, how to live the way of life, and so on. It is basically a brief summation of some of the important points of Christian tenets for the early Church.

To the declaration that the Didache is typical religious stuff—do this and don’t do that—one could say that it is a teaching text, a text that can be used to supplement multiple lessons. As an early catechism, it consists of the basic bare bones of what is taught in the Christian faith and how the Church should go about its duties. The chapters are short but they essentially serve a framing context for more discussion. Thus, as a pedagogical tool the Didache is certainly beneficial as a supplementary text. It is not a list of commandments like the 10 Commandments. It is more like a reflection on some of these commandments and how they should be followed by a Christian trying to lead a Christian life. It offers to juxtaposing viewpoints on life—life that engages in lying, lust, wrath, or any other serious sin is not really life at all but death because it is life consisting of actions that kill the soul. True life is life that is lived according to the spirit of God, and it consists of loving God and neighbor, long-suffering, and embracing the virtues that draw one nearer to God and make one more pleasing to God. That is why this text is helpful and why it should not viewed merely as a do this but don’t do this type of religious text.

However, it is also helpful because it includes wisdom teachings, i.e., on how to live wisely by pursuing the way of life and avoiding the way of death—telling the difference between the two, and understanding what is meant by becoming a Christian. A Christian is called to live differently—to bless those who curse him, to receive only what is necessary, to live for and love God above all things.

The Didache also teaches one how to pray, echoing the words of the Gospel in which the Lord’s prayer is told to the disciples. The Didache recommends praying the Lord’s prayer three times daily. It emphasizes that Christians should following Christ in everything and not pray as the Gentiles pray, which is to idols or to their own fashion. But Christ taught His disciples how to pray with the Lord’s prayer and it is the method and words that should be used. However, there are also instructions for partaking of the Eucharist, and on what should be prayed for that celebration as well.