The Didache is one of the earliest Christian writings, reflecting the situation before 70 CE and before the four gospels became prevalent. O'Loughlin covers the history of the text from its discovery in the 19th-century and provides a new translation along with a commentary, which highlights areas of key interest to Christians today.

The Didache is one of the earliest Christian writings, earlier than most of the documents that make up the New Testament. It provides practical instructions on how a Christian community should function, and offers unique insights into the way the earliest Christians lived and worshipped. In this highly readable introduction, Thomas O'Loughlin tells the intriguing story of the Didache, from its discovery in the late nineteenth century to the present. He then provides an illuminating commentary on the entire text, highlighting areas of special interest to Christians today, and ends with a fresh translation of the text itself.