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Assessing Extrabiblical Examples for Biblical Consistency

The Bible frequently presents examples, both positive and negative, to guide believers, with Christ himself serving as the ultimate perfect example [4]. Assessing extrabiblical examples for consistency with biblical teaching involves understanding core biblical doctrines and applying them to various situations.

A foundational concept for evaluating any example is the biblical understanding of sin. Scripture teaches that all human beings are born sinners [7]. The first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, involved a preference for the creature over the Creator, marked by self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [9]. Sin is not merely an act but also a state of being, a corrupt nature that adheres to humanity even after conversion [12]. Deliberate sins are often characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude and rebellion against God [10]. The Bible describes various sinful acts as "vanity" [8]. God's anger is a necessary response to sin, not a spontaneous emotional outburst [11]. This universal sinfulness means that no human extrabiblical example can be perfect or entirely free from flaw.

In contrast to humanity's sinful nature, Christ is presented as the perfect example [4]. His life demonstrates qualities that believers are called to emulate:

When evaluating extrabiblical examples, one must consider whether the example aligns with these Christ-like virtues and avoids actions or attitudes that contradict biblical teachings on sin. For instance, an example promoting self-aggrandizement or disobedience to God would be inconsistent with Christ's humility and obedience [4]. Similarly, an example that encourages indulgence in worldly lusts would contradict the call to self-denial [5].

The New Testament frequently draws connections between Old Testament concepts and New Testament realities, which can inform the assessment of examples. For instance, the concept of God's faithfulness and the security of His people, as expressed in Psalm 20:5 ("May the Lord fulfill all your petitions"), is echoed in Exodus 17:15, where God is named "The Lord is my Banner" [1]. Similarly, the idea of God's glory and the lifting of ancient gates in Psalm 24:7 finds resonance in Ephesians 1:17, which speaks of the "God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory" [2]. The assurance of God's faithfulness in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ("He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it") connects to Psalm 138:2, where God's word is magnified above all His name [3]. These cross-references demonstrate a consistent theological thread throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's character and actions.

Therefore, any extrabiblical example should be measured against the consistent character of God revealed in Scripture and the perfect example of Christ. If an example promotes values or behaviors contrary to Christ's holiness, love, humility, obedience, or self-denial, it should be deemed inconsistent with biblical teaching [4, 5].

Sources

  1. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.20.5 → Exod.17.15 (confidence: 13 votes)”
  2. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Eph.1.17 → Ps.24.7 (confidence: 12 votes)”
  3. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: 1Thess.5.24 → Ps.138.2 (confidence: 15 votes)”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  8. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  9. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  11. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  12. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
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