Musing – Should The Didache have been in the New Testament canon?

Hebraic Musing – Should The Didache have been in the New Testament canon?

I’ve just studied the writings of the early church and the convoluted process by which the New Testament became canon-ized. “Recognized” might be the better word. Warren Carter’s Seven Events that shaped the New Testament World considers the sixth event to be the discussion of all the various Writings that existed; and the seventh event he considers to be The Process of “Closing” the New Testament Canon.  Those are well-chosen titles; adoption of the Canon as we know it was a dynamic, multi-cultural, multi-ethic, multi-church process contributed to by many writers each coming from their own backgrounds and experiences.

The book of James is said to be one of the last books to be included because of its focus on “faithfulness” rather than “faith alone.”  Followers of Marcion resisted that book and also resisted recognition of The Didache (Geek for Teaching). They rejected any Hebrew Scriptures concerned with law and not love.  

Many letters did not survive. Why?  Consider whether you would share and archive a letter critical of you or your fellowship’s conduct?  The Didache is one of the few letters of the era that did survive, so I had to acquire a translation since it was a close ‘also ran’ in the race to the final canon. This writing, an early Catechism of the church, has two thrusts – First, how to live and how not to live; Second, how to conduct and structure community life. There are 16 sections, so reference can be made by chapter and verse. I’m attaching the English translation of the Greek text of The Didache (translated and edited by Tony Jones). These verses/phrases jumped off the pages at me:

Part one starts with “There are two ways, one of life and one of death! and there is a great difference between the two ways.”  An example: 1:5 “…but if one receives not having need, he shall stand trial.”

Chapter 2 sounds like the Sermon on the Mount and contains interesting phrases like:  “…do not have illicit sex” and “you shall not murder a child, whether it be born or unborn.”

Chapter.4 makes a statement counter to today’s laws:  “Do not remove your hand from your son or daughter; teach them the fear of God from their youth.”  And then v.13 makes a blanket statement obviously referencing the Torah: “Do not in any way neglect the commandments of the Lord….”

Chapter 5 deals with The Way of Death and describes “those who persecute the good, hate the truth, love lies, and do not understand the reward for righteousness…. They do not know their Creator; they are murderers of children, destroyers of God's image.”

Part two advocates rather strict practices for managing a fellowship/church.  Do these have merit?

7:4 “Before the baptism…the candidate should fast for one or two days beforehand.”  A good idea?!?!

8:3  “Pray this (Lord’s prayer) three times a day” which sounds like the Jewish recitation of the Sh’ma.

9:5 “Allow no one to eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized’” Interesting thought!

11:6 “And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread to last him until his next night of lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.”  Why did the word “Televangelists” come to mind?

12:4-5 “…. a Christian should not live idle in your midst.  If he is dissatisfied … he is a Christ peddler…”

15:1 “Appoint bishops …, as well as deacons, worthy of the Lord, …   unattached to money…”

16 Watch Over Your Life, a discussion of eschatology:  “A life of faith will not profit you if you are not made perfect at the end of time.”   16:4 “When lawlessness increases, they will hate and persecute and… the world-deceiver will appear claiming to be the Son of God… and many will be made to stumble and many will perish; but those who endure in their faith will be saved from under the curse itself.”

Points to ponder

Could or should “The Didache” have been included in the NT?

Does it teach anything wrong or misleading?
                  (A thought-provoking read!   See the attachment)

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                 January 6, 2015

Books author “Hebraic Insights”; “Biblical Marriage”; “Musings v.1 – A Victorious Life”
Weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings” at   insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/
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