Michael W. Holmes

Summary: This is an English translation of the Didache and excerpts of the Shepherd of Hermas. The Didache is a series of commandments that Christians are supposed to obey in order to live holy lives. The Shepherd of Hermas are several parables that illustrate the necessity of obedient living in order to be part of the church.

Pros: They are an insight into the life of parts of the early church. They demonstrate a real concern for holy living as a mark of a true disciple.

Cons: The Didache is in some ways a Pharisaical version of Christianity in the way that it goes beyond Scripture and lays a heavier weight upon believers. It binds the conscience in places it should not. The essential need for a heart of holiness is seemingly mitigated by allegiance to certain proscribed practices. The Shepherd of Hermas shows how quickly foreign ideas entered into Christianity and became widely accepted.

Evaluation: This book has value as an historical artifact, but care should be exercised in using this as a spiritual guide. The original authors were dealing with such a different world, that some important distinctions seem to be lost in the cultural translation.… (more)

Some reviewers have concentrated on the theology, translation quality, or accuracy of the introduction of "The Two Ways". I am a preaching pastor and have put on annual "All-Saints' Museum" display for about ten years. With that perspective, I appreciated this work for what I believe it was intended to be, a relatively simple glimpse into some of the thinking being circulated among some early Christians who did not have all of our resources. I also appreciated it as a source for some extra-biblical illustrations, some of which I could use and some of which I might caution against (they will preach either way). It is worth the read.… (more)