Ok...so I'm writing a paraphrase of the Didache. What's that, you say? It's one of the earliest documents we have from the early church that isn't part of the accepted Bible. It's pretty cool, even if it isn't considered Scripture. Athanasius referred to it as a kind of quick-start guide for new believers and those starting a church. There is such a wonderful sense of primitive intent for the church contained in this document, that I haven't been able to get it off my mind.

Since most of the translations of it are very cumbersome to read because they use archaic language and syntax....I decided to write a "Joe Smoe" paraphrase that would make the profound message in this work accessible to a casual reader.

I think what I'll do is post a chapter here and there on my blog. I'm not sure what else I want to do with it...but I'll tell you, this has become a pretty important project to me. There's something in this thing...something that takes me back to the beginning of the church, before we got it so polluted with our own agendas.
Anyway....here are the first two chapters of what I've been working on. I hope they are readable. Let me know what you think of this! (You can check it with the original here)

I.
THE ISSUES OF LIFE

Chapter 1 “Duae Viae – The Two Ways”
There are only two ways on this journey, one way is life, the other is death, and there is a world of difference between the two.

This is what the way of life is like: first and foremost, you must love the God who created you. This will, secondly, enable you to love your fellow man as much as you love yourself. Whatever you wouldn’t want people to do to you; you definitely shouldn’t do to other people.

Here’s how we would put this teaching into words: Say good things about those who speak bad things about you. Offer up prayers, even skip a meal in fasting for the ones who are determined to be an enemy to you, and who are cruel towards you. What’s the big deal if you love those who love you back? People who never even think about God do that kind of stuff. But if you will extend love toward those who pierce you, then you’ve got something, something that will win people over so your list of enemies begins to shrink.

Control yourself; keep your body’s desires in check. If someone hits you in the face, don’t hit back, present the cheek he didn’t hit. Do this, and you will be complete in reflecting God’s image. If someone takes advantage of you, stretching you to your limits, let it become an opportunity to live as a servant. And if someone steals your coat, give him your shirt as a present as well. If someone steals something of yours, don’t even bother asking for it back, because all that will do is stir up more trouble.

Be generous in giving to anyone who asks, and don’t set up any repayment plans, don’t even ask for anything in return. Your Father loves it when you give generously out of the abundance of blessing He has given you. Whoever gives like this is content and knows fulfillment, secure in his standing before the Father.
But here’s a warning: If a person is receiving material things, and he really has a lack that it supplies, then good enough, it’s not a problem. But, if a person is receiving material blessings while his hand is already full, then that’s a real problem. He’s going to have to give an account for why he took more than he needed, and his greed will cost him dearly, he won’t get away with it.
Here’s an old saying that’s a good piece of advice: “Don’t be hasty in determining how to give. Hang on to your gift until your hand sweats; as long as it takes, in order to discern who you should give it to.”

Chapter 2 “Forbidden Activities”
Here’s the second important thing to obey from this teaching. These are the things that we cannot participate in: murder, adultery, child molestation, sexual promiscuity, stealing, white or black magic, abortion or infanticide. No lusting after your neighbor’s stuff, no lies about your neighbor to make yourself look good, in fact, don’t saying anything that isn’t good in nature. And don’t hang on to a grudge against someone.

Don’t waffle in your decisions, or pander to what someone wants to hear even if it isn’t true, that kind of talk is deadly. You must be a person of your word; if you say it, do it. And don’t be greedy or hoard up material stuff. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not, and don’t be a hot-head or arrogant. Don’t ever conspire to do something against your fellow man.

You mustn’t hate any man. Now, some you’ll have to correct, and others you’ll just have to pray for, but all in all, the goal is to love others more than your own life.