Scholarly Reflections
Muilenburg, James. "Chapter One: Introduction: History of the Problem." The Literary Relations of the Epistle of Barnabas and the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Marburg, 1929, 1-9.
Muilenberg observes that, while dating of documents is of primary importance in developing an adequate chronology of Church history, the dates are often elusive. Use of stages of doctrinal development may be of assistance, but developments occur at different rates in different communities (Muilenburg 1929, 1). The same holds true of linguistic characteristics. Muilenburg considers the relationship of the Epistle of Barnabas and the Didache to be a case in point. The Epistle of Barnabas has been placed as early as 50 and as late as the fourth century (Muilenburg 1929, 2).
The Epistle of Barnabas and the Didache have considerable material in common but also have significant doctrinal and literary differences (Muilenburg 1929, 3). In particular, Muilenburg notes the Two Ways material was alternatively considered inspired by the Sermon on the Mount or to have inspired it (Muilenburg 1929, 3-5). It is significant to Muilenburg that outside of the Two Ways material there are not significant parallels (Muilenburg 1929, 7). The question of actual dependence of one whole text on the other remains elusive, though the Two Ways material may be largely similar.
Muilenburg's work deals almost exclusively with literary relationships rather than doctrinal relationships (Muilenburg 1929, 8). He appears interested by the Talmudic nature of Barnabas. The rabbinic character of the early Christian writings informs his analysis at many points.