Early Christianity

This week’s readings ask, “What is spirituality?” Depending on who you are talking to, this question can have a different meaning. Many look at spirituality to provide them with a purpose. We have to let go of ourselves to accept something “higher.” Throughout history, spirituality has given people a sense of belonging and guidance. Ignatius’s Letter to the Romans and the Didache helped me understand early Christianity. This information clarified early Christian churches and the foundation of early Christianity. I recognized that early Christianity is as complicated as today’s religious views. In the letter, Ignatius expresses his devotion to God. He did not fear martyrdom. He did not want anyone to try to stop his persecution. While traveling to Rome for his execution, many Christians showed their support. Ignatius sends the followers back to their churches but with letters. The purpose of these letters was to strengthen the belief in Christianity. This display shows the commitment and power that early Christianity had.  

The Didache was a guide on how to be a good Christian. It gave examples of how to live a life for God. Many we still see today love thy neighbor, confessing our sins. If we follow this path, we will have a good life. However, there is the other path, the road to death. Examples provided are not being fooled by a false prophet and do not steal, to name a few. The Didache provided the first book of morals for early Christianity. Moving from Judaism into Christianity, a section of the Didachec discusses baptism with the removal of circumcision. It ends with chapter 16. Instilling that the return of the Lord will come.  These teachings of the Didache provided the structure to educate on early Christian spirituality. The Didache was the foundation of Christian spirituality that would continue to evolve and flourish into the centuries to come.