The Didache (Full Audiobook)

The Didache, which means "teaching" in Greek, is a first century Christian document that presents practical instructions for living the Christian life. From the start, the writer is emphatic that “there are two paths to follow: one is life and the other is death." And that "There is a profound difference between the two.” This theme of life and death is weaved throughout the manuscript. As one of the earliest Christian documents, it comes as no surprise that it, much like Paul's letters, contains a number of moral teachings; some outline the Ten Commandments, others reaffirm the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, and still others that draw practical conclusions from these teachings.
In addition to giving instruction on what not to do, it contains examples of what one should do. The writer encourages Christians to “honor” and “remember those who speak the word of God” and “study the saints each day…[to] find comfort in their words.” In this same passage there is a call to “confess [sins]…in the congregation.” Elsewhere, the author exhorts Christians to “be patient and merciful, innocent, quiet and honorable, always paying attention to what [they have] been taught.” Interestingly, though, the writer does not condemn those that cannot take upon themselves the full cross of Christ. Indeed, he remarks pastorally: “if you are able to carry the whole yoke of the Lord, your life will be complete. If you cannot do this, do what you are able.” This statement demonstrates an incredible pastoral flexibility present from the very beginning of the formation of Christian doctrine - one which stands in stark contrast to the black-and-white theological rigorism present in our day. Elsewhere, in chapter seven, we see a similar spirit with regards to baptismal form.
Some might be surprised to find that this first century document references and condemns the acts of abortion and infanticide: “Do not kill an unborn child by abortion, nor kill a newborn child.” This goes to show that, from the outset, the Church was aware of these practices (abortion or infanticide) and strictly condemned them. As an added point of interest, the document also contains lucrative information about early Church life: it speaks about baptism (in chapter 7), fasting and prayer (in chapter 8), the Eucharist (in chapter 9), and ordaining Bishops and Deacons (in chapter 15).
In keeping with the two path theme, the morality of the Didache hinges on the the fact that the “path of life” and the “path of death” are diametrically opposed to one another. Yet in keeping with this theme the author embodies a pastoral spirit - clarifying, in a sense, that one's direction - that is, the direction one is heading - is more important than how perfectly one walks that direction.
In all, the text seems to serve as a practical extension of the morality found in the Holy Scriptures - one that sheds light on seemingly harmless habits to show their natural end: death.
🙌 Join this channel to get access to exclusive membership perks:
/ @theoria
😀 Support our work and become a patron: / theoriatv
✍🏻 Interested in more in-depth content? Check out my substack: theoriatv.subs...
📚 Buy my book, On Gender and the Soul:
📚On Amazon: amzn.to/3Vs8WhZ
📚Digital Copy: theoria.creato...
📚Audio Book: theoria.creato...
⭐ SOCIAL⭐
Discord: / discord
Telegram: Telegram: t.me/orthodoxc...
Instagram: www.instagram....
Twitter: / theoriatv
TikTok: www.tiktok.com...
KZbin: / theoria​​​
Facebook: / theoriavideos​​
⭐ MERCH⭐
Merch Store: / theoria
Theoria is a KZbin Channel started by an Eastern Orthodox Christian and professional, freelance videographer and animator in 2015. Since that time, we have produced a number of video series' explaining Eastern Orthodox doctrine and practice with the likes of Frederica Matthewes-Green, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Rod Dreher, and more.
Our goal is to produce quality videos and digestible KZbin shorts utilizing the rich theological tradition of the Church Fathers. We also seek to comment on cultural events from a paradigm within this same framework.
For business inquiries, tweet @TheoriaTV, message on Instagram @TheoriaTV, or email theoriavideos at gmail dot com.

[@lindaphillips4646]

I recently saw a lovely PATRISTIX video about the Didache. Am delighted to be able to hear more about it read here.. Thank you.

[@Theoria]

The Patristix team are solid guys!

[@lindaphillips4646]

​@@TheoriaYes, i try to give them a plug every time what they do seems to be relevant to what i see, such as your work here. Thank you

[@andrew2715]

This is an incredibly important project to spread these more obscure documents as audiobooks

[@liberatewethepeople9121]

All Christians should follow this

[@anthonyally4390]

Awesome enlightening work showing us how Christian community lived the Orthodox Christian faith during Apostles' lifetime ☦️

[@wilsontexas]

They didn't talk about icons or saints or Mary.

[@anthonyally4390]

@wilsontexas What was revealed continues only with Orthodox Christian faithful today. Sadly all other manmade traditions have forsaken even the basic foundation revealed in the teachings of the Apostles of Jesus Christ seen in the Didache ☦️ But it was not an exhaustive document of All God The Holy Spirit enlightened The Orthodox One Body of Christ. Thankful all Orthodox Christian theology aligns perfectly with The Orthodox Bible ☦️🕊🛐

[@jimyoung9262]

@wilsontexas Do you how how to tell when there's an orthodox person in a YT comment section? Don't worry. They'll tell you. Then they'll say theirs is the only true form of Christinity.

[@michaelcontreras148]

Great Catholic book

[@Peabody388]

I'm Catholic, never heard of it. It's Apocrypha.​@@michaelcontreras148

[@livingfreelyinspired7400]

Bless you. You have blessed me with this. May god bless you forever and ever in the name of Jesus Christ. My friend I humbly request please keep me and my wife in your prayer. For she is a Hindu and none of us are baptized. May we come to communion in the church of our Lord some day.

[@Theoria]

🙏

[@ChristianVigilance]

My prayers are for you friend. May the Lord bless your mind, that you are mindful of His marvelous Light, His many miracles and loving acts in this world of ours. May His Spirit impress upon you; may you be convicted in your soul, and be dedicated to your true Master Christ Jesus. May you give your life to Him, for He gave His life for you, that salvation may come to your eternal soul. May God bless you with this truth. In the name of our Father, in the name of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may your eyes be opened, each and every one of you, and be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. 🙏 pray earnestly that you receive His Word rightly and true. Accept Christ as Lord and King, and know peace.

[@TobiaandMikayla]

Repent and truly surrender your life and heart to Jesus while there is time -Mikayla

[@YeshuaIsTheTruth]

If you are able to get baptized do it. It just means to be immersed in water. You declare before others that you believe and will follow the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that you are being baptized into them. It's best to have a church leader do this if you are able.

[@johnnylopez9268]

This song Was absolutely worth it , praise the LORD!

[@guyparker1749]

Such a WORK ,👏a blessing indeed..a media hurray...

[@nmarch79]

Thank you. It was wonderful to engage with the text again after so many years.

[@daniell.5483]

I love the Didache. I've read many writings from the apostolic fathers. I'm a protestant as well.

[@rsmpride8267]

dude how can you be a protestant after learning about this book?

[@rsmpride8267]

dude how can you be a protestant after learning about this book?

[@wilsontexas]

How can you a a catholic with Francis as the head?​ @rsmpride8267

[@rsmpride8267]

@@wilsontexas because Jesus literally said: “Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” He never said there wouldn’t be corruption or problems. Remember even Judas was a disciple. The issue is yall like to take some scripture as literal and ignore the scripture that doesn’t make you feel good. Am I a fan of the current pope, no. The true church was here before Francis and it will survive him long after he is gone. Every non denominational church thinks they see things the right way. Joel Olsteen thinks he has it right, the Lutherans think they have it right, the baptists think they have it right. There’s one true church and believe me buddy, the first Christians interpreted things more correctly than the Protestants who think they see it the right way 15-2000 years later.

[@wilsontexas]

@@rsmpride8267 It's true. For example the early church fathers who knew the apostles never mention Mary as someone to pray to, as a co-mediatrix or as some sort of queen of heaven.

[@shawnbrewer7]

Thrice in the day, thus pray. ☦

[@lhu6971]

Good grief!!!! Thank God the Father for the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. 🎉Bless, praise and worship the Lord for His Grace and mercy Whew!

[@Scrupulouslyhonest]

None of the apostles, early bishops, and general disciples used any images in their worship of the Almighty.

[@wilsontexas]

Nor did they pray to Mary

[@KTLocsta]

Because they didn’t say they did? They also didn’t believe communion was just bread and grape juice. Go read Justin Martyr and how “Church” was celebrated. It is basically word for the Catholic Mass.

[@onlyjoshing]

"And you shall seek out day by day the faces of the Saints in order that you .ay rest upon their words" 9:00

[@sandrapicton8961]

@@KTLocsta No it is not. The Christian Church established itself from the Apostles and there was NO Catholicism then. The Church was Orthodox everywhere for more than 1000 years. Rome was just one of many diocese whose bishop fancied himself above all the rest and wanted the power of making his own decisions, one of which was to be God's representative on earth. No other bishop or archbishop or metropolitan has ever claimed this to this day. So he broke Rome from the true church in the schism of 1054, from which time Roman Catholicism has taken its own heretical path, with its Catholic Mass. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the same as the one from Christ and the Apostles, with a liturgies, prayers, typicas etc etc unchanged.

[@annalynn9325]

Thank you!

[@AITheWise]

The Didache, an early Christian document, provides practical instructions for living the Christian life, emphasizing the two paths of life and death, and offering pastoral guidance on various aspects of church life. Key moments: 00:32 The Didache, a first-century Christian document, emphasizes the importance of choosing between the paths of life and death, offering practical instructions for Christian living. -The Didache provides moral teachings, including honoring God's word, confessing sins, and being patient and merciful, reflecting early Christian doctrine. -The document condemns acts like abortion and infanticide, demonstrating the early church's awareness and strict stance against such practices. -The Didache also discusses baptism, fasting, prayer, the Eucharist, and ordaining church leaders, highlighting the practical aspects of early church life and morality. 05:03 The video script discusses teachings on morality and righteousness, emphasizing selflessness, compassion, and avoidance of sinful behaviors. It provides guidance on how to lead a virtuous life and warns against various immoral actions. -Teachings on selflessness and compassion, including giving without expecting in return and being generous to those in need. -Guidance on moral conduct, such as refraining from murder, adultery, theft, and bearing false witness, promoting honesty and integrity. -Warnings against sinful behaviors like anger, lust, idolatry, lying, and blasphemy, urging followers to lead a righteous and humble life. 10:08 The video script discusses teachings on fear of God, humility, and following the Commandments. It also outlines behaviors to avoid, emphasizing righteousness and good judgment. -Teachings on fear of God, humility, and following the Commandments. -Behaviors to avoid, emphasizing righteousness and good judgment. 15:12 The video script discusses the importance of discerning true prophets and teachers based on their teachings and actions, emphasizing support for those who are genuine and caution against false prophets. -Discerning true prophets and teachers based on their teachings and actions is crucial for spiritual guidance and community integrity. -Supporting true prophets and teachers with provisions and assistance ensures their ability to continue their spiritual work effectively. 20:16 The video script emphasizes the importance of following commandments, gathering on the Lord's Day, appointing worthy leaders, and being prepared for the challenges and deceptions of the last days. -Emphasis on gathering on the Lord's Day, breaking bread, and giving thanks while maintaining purity and reconciliation among believers. -Importance of appointing honorable leaders like Bishops and deacons who serve as prophets and teachers, promoting peace and repentance among believers. -Preparation for the challenges of the last days, warning about false prophets, corruption, persecution, and the need for endurance and faith to be saved. Generated by sider.ai

[@babyname_ramble]

4:17

[@DMServant]

Thanks

[@pixel7038]

Time stamps please :)

[@nameunavailable1330]

Back for my second reading. Would love it if you had timestamps.

[@Theoria]

Time stamps are a great idea. Now just to figure out how to do it in an efficient way - since some of these works are massive.

[@jasonpotoski3150]

Bro, what is this weird AI thing you’re doing now?

[@MrBryan1776]

I’ve heard this AI voice in A LOT of audio stories/books on KZbin. So much so, I just tune out the weirdness. Still, it’s a bit annoying.

[@R.C.425]

All those in Holy Apostolic Church Copts Orthodox Catholic All Eastern Rites Invited to those video is great

[@aloe704]

*I'm Lutheran, but I'm considering Orthodoxy. However, the only 4 things holding me back is baptism's necessity, salvation, accepting Mary's sinlessness and elevating the Apocrypha to the Holy Bible.*

[@wordisbond007]

Nobody says Mary is sinless , just that she never had children apart from Jesus and is Perpetually Virgin.

[@kellyross4801]

As a Catholic convert, may I share an insight that helped me? Look up the history of the Palestine Canon. The Septuagint that Jesus studied included the "Apocrypha". (Properly, 'Deutero- canonical' books) After the Fall of the Second Temple, the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, and the second Diaspora, Jews were having great difficulty with people converting to Christianity. The Jews themselves removed those books that gave support to the Christian teachings, and those for which the original Hebrew scripts were destroyed. This is the Palestine Canon, and what Luther reverted to after translating the Bible to German. He didn't like those books either, so he removed them. The Scripture Jesus read in the Temple included them. This is why Cardinal Newman commented that when you are steeped in history, you can't remain Protestant... Pax. 🙏🕯️

[@wordisbond007]

Interesting. So which books were removed? How do they validate Christianity? I’d like @theoria response to this?

[@aloe704]

@@wordisbond007 Doesn't the Catholic and Orthodox believe that? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinlessness_of_Mary

[@aloe704]

@@kellyross4801 As a Lutheran I agree with you about the importance of the Apocrypha. But my only concern is that it's not the inspired word of God. Unlike what is included in the Holy Bible. So I agree we can read it. But I can't come to terms yet with why we should put it on the same level as the Holy Bible.

[@JasonLord-u2f]

which publication of the Didache are you reading? i don't see a reference

[@feeble_stirrings]

This is great, thanks! Is this read by AI? Would love to see "On the Incarnation" if it's doable.

[@Theoria]

Will definitely get to "On the Incarnation"

[@madammim694]

life and death

[@kiwihans100]

Interesting that if the 'trinity' is supposed to be the 'central doctrine' of the Christian church, why is NOTHING about it mentioned in the 'Didache'? which is probably the earliest form of a 'creed'? Makes one think doesnt it?

[@gabepeterson4420]

The Bible doesn't use the word Trinity. However we see the Jesus (Son) God (Father) and Holy Spirit. The Didache uses the Trinity when talking about Baptism.

[@kiwihans100]

@@gabepeterson4420 Sorry but the baptism blessing that Jesus gave at Matt 28:19,20, is NOT the 'trinity'! Look I was baptised in the name of the Father & of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' I believe in all three. But I DONT believe, and Jesus was NOT saying that these are 'three persons in one God'! Thats the difference! Just as thee bible often speaks of 'Abreham, Isaac & Jacob' they were three distinct persons with Abreham as resonsible for the life of his Son Isaac & in turn Jacob! So no trinity is implied in Matt 28:19,20 & The Didarche does NOT imply it either!

[@gabepeterson4420]

@@kiwihans100 I must be misunderstanding you then because we are talking about the Didache. Trinity comes from the root of “Tri” meaning three right? The Bible doesn’t say alot if things that are tradition in both Catholicism and Protestantism. For example, no where in the Bible dies it say salvation is as simple as an Altar Call where you say a prayer accepting Jesus into your heart and you will be saved forever, yet that’s what many believe. As for the Didache, it literally says, “baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in living water.”

[@kiwihans100]

@@gabepeterson4420 Exactly! Which is NOT a confession of the 'trinity'! Those baptised in the way mentioned in the Didache are merely acknowleding that they accept that They wish to be recociled to the Father by having the sins forgiven, made possible by the Ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ through his shed blod resulting in then receiving the Holy Spirit. The 'trinity' is a SPECIFIC doctrine that God is made up of three 'persons'. Thatis NOT what Jesus implied ast Matt 28:19,20 because he prefixed the staement by saying "All authority has been GIVEN me in heaven and on earth". The Father GIVES, the Son receives! ( Later John was given the revelation that Jesus gave him that he in turn was GIVEN BY GOD) No 'trinity' implied as all so called persons in a 'trinity' do not need to be 'given' anything! ( Acts 17:25)

[@thekatarnalchemist]

​@@kiwihans100United Pentacostal or Jehovah's Witness?

[@basedbuddha777]

Unfortunately Christ never returned according to their church’s own theology, therefore invalidating the entire project. Almost 2000 years and nothing. I choose the path of The Old Gods and Death.

[@billpalmer6219]

He won’t until all the Elect have been called. Not one shall perish.

[@richdorak1547]

Surely , water baptism was something new to the first Jewish believers . What were they taught about it ? In other words, " get baptized and here's why you must..." This is what it accomplishes. Any books available for study of this topic ? Or any teachers / scholars that have written about this ? All leeds greatly appreciated. Thank you Brothers and Sisters.

[@liberatewethepeople9121]

The Orthodox Church and Catholic Church follow this close belief of baptism.

[@wilsontexas]

No mention of The Queen of Heaven?

[@Richard-oo6pc]

Nor sola scriptura (the Bible didn't exist yet), nor once saved always saved, nor saved by faith alone, nor rapture or any other Protestant doctrine. Those came 1500 yrs later after a German named Martin Luther invented Protestantism.