Once upon a time, I read of the Didache, and I recently decided to download a copy so I could read it. What is it you might ask? It is basically a first-century instruction manual for new Christians, mentioned in ancient writings, but no copy was extant in modern times. That is, until 1873 when a copy was discovered in the library of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople. It generated a lot of excitement in scholars, theologians, and lay people alike. It was written as early as 50 CE! It bridged a gap of silence between then and the early writers, often called church fathers, in the middle and late second century and on.
This morning, I decided to open it and begin reading. The beginning chapters are about the two ways - The Way of Life vs The Way of Death. There are similarities to the Qumran community writings of the contrast between light and darkness, truth and falsehood.
Flashing before my mind came my Genine vs Impostor values that I have just been sharing on this blog. I thought they were heavily inspired by Aristotle's book on Ethics, but - they also somehow seem directly related to the Didache's Two Ways!
Not that the Didache has a long list, but the lists it has are in harmony with "my" lists, plus two ways are the same concept.
Did I somehow tap into this very early Christian way? Did I read it in the past, and it came up expanded from my subconscious? Did God inspire me to write them to bring the Two Ways to more eyes and hearts?
I don't know the answer, and it feels significant.
If you are interested in all of this, please do download the Didache (pronounced DidaKay) or buy a copy and see what you think.
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