The Didache in Context contains an intriguing look into the background of the Didache, exploring the influence of the text upon the development of early Christianity. It offers an insightful collection of essays that have been gathered from the research efforts of numerous biblical and patristic scholars from around the world. The book seeks to explore questions that relate to the composition of the text itself, the history of the role and function of the Didache within early Christian circles, and the influence of the manuscript upon early Christian traditions and trends of thought. In addition to the numerous, individual investigations that are featured here, the collection includes a fresh translation of the text in English and a comprehensive, up-to-date bibliography of literature on the Didache.

This collection in English of important modern articles on the "Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)," including an extensive review of scholarship over the past fifty years, provides a valuable resource for the study of this controversial first-century Christian document.

This volume makes available a collection of the most important and influential modern articles on the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, many of them appearing in English for the first time. Leading Jewish and Christian scholars in the field represented in the volume include G. Alon, J-P. Audet, E. Bammel, J. Betz, J.A. Draper, D. Flusser, A. de Halleux, E. Mazza, K. Niederwimmer, W. Rordorf, G. Schöllgen, H.R. Seeliger and C.M. Tuckett. Essays included provide a representative sample of most aspects of study of this first-century Christian writing, documenting an increasing scholarly interest in its importance for the understanding of Christian origins. The editor provides an extensive review of scholarship on the Didache in the past fifty years, outlining its major trends and implications.

Shawn J. Wilhite's commentary on the Didache complements the study of early Christianity through historical, literary, and theological readings of the Apostolic Fathers, seeking to be mindful of critical scholarship while commenting on a final-form text. The Didache includes a brief introduction to this relevant text, the use of Scripture by the Didachist, and the theology of the Didache. The commentary proceeds section by section with a close ear to the text of the Didache, relevant early Christian literature, and current scholarship.

An intriguing dilemma for those who study ancient Christian contexts and literature This edited volume includes essays and responses from specialists in the Didache and in early church history in general. Features: Strategies for understanding liturgical constructions and ritual worship found in the text Studies that apply generally to the overall content and background of the Didache Essays on the relationship between the Didache and scripture—particularly with respect to the Gospel of Matthew

Revised thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 2002.

Most Christians believe that everything about Jesus and the early church can be found in their New Testament. In recent years, however, the discovery of the Gospel of Thomas and the reconstruction of the Q-Gospel have led scholars to recognize that some very early materials were left out. Now, due to the pioneering efforts of Dr. Aaron Milavec, the most decisive document of them all, namely, the Didache ("Did-ah-Kay"), has come to light. Milavec has decoded the Didache and enabled it to reveal its hidden secrets regarding those years when Christianity was little more than a faction within the restless Judaisms of the mid-first-century. The Didache reveals a tantalizingly detailed description of the prophetic faith and day-to-day routines that shaped the Jesus movement some twenty years after the death of Jesus. The focus of the movement then was not upon proclaiming the exalted titles and deeds of Jesus - aspects that come to the fore in the letters of Paul and in the Gospel narratives. In contrast to these familiar forms of Christianity, the focus of the Didache was upon "the life and the knowledge" of Jesus himself. Thus, the Didache details the step-by-step process whereby non-Jews were empowered by assimilating the prophetic faith and the way of life associated with Jesus of Nazareth. Milavec's clear, concise, and inspiring commentaries are not only of essential importance to scholars, pastors, and students but also very useful for ordinary people who wish to unlock the secrets of the Didache. Milavec's analytic, Greek-English side-by-side, gender-inclusive translation is included as well as a description of how this document, after being fashioned and used 50-70 C.E., was mysteriously lost for over eighteen hundred years before being found in an obscure library in Istanbul. The study questions, bibliography, and flowcharts enable even first-time users to grasp the functional and pastoral genius that characterized the earliest Christian communities.

For the right understanding of the Sayings Source Q not only the relation to early Judaism but also the social "landscape" in which the texts evolved is undeniably crucial. Here results of Galilean Archeology are brought into contact with sociological models how Jesus and the Q-community might have interacted with their contemporaries (cf. the thesis of social disruption by G. Theißen, attitudes in early Judaism towards the Temple by B. Ego, the role of women in early Judaism by T. Ilan, the situation in the Diaspora by P. Trebilco). The question is also extended to the social profile of the authorities behind the Sayings Source Q: Were they itinerant prophets or village scribes?

What is Paul's theology of material possessions and where did it come from? Through demonstrating continuity in the broad fiscal thought of Jesus and Paul, Carter suggests that Paul owes his financial thought to the great sermon tradition. Carter establishes this by assessing Paul's historical environment and extant writings to display the plausibility that Paul knew the dominical tradition. Carter goes on to assess the likelihood that Paul knew the pre-synoptic sermon tradition because of its ubiquity in early church discipleship. The study finishes with the conclusion that Jesus and Paul's financial thought displays remarkable symmetry which cannot be explained merely by a common cultural environment. Consequently, it is deemed highly likely that Paul depends on the dominical tradition for the contours of his financial thought.