Avoiding Culturally Relative or Subjective Examples in Biblical Teaching
Biblical teaching emphasizes the importance of adhering to foundational truths and avoiding doctrines that distract from Christ or promote division. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warns against teachings that are not aligned with the core message of the Gospel. For instance, Colossians 2:8 cautions believers to "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ" [2]. This highlights a concern that human-made ideas or cultural trends could lead people away from the central tenets of faith.
Similarly, in 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul instructs against "giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith" [1]. This suggests that certain discussions, while perhaps interesting, do not contribute to spiritual growth or the proper administration of God's truth. Matthew Henry, commenting on Titus 3:9, notes that while "needful questions" can be discussed, "idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif[ication]" should be avoided [3]. This perspective underscores the need for teaching to be purposeful and edifying, rather than merely speculative or culturally driven.
The book of Hebrews also addresses the danger of being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9) [5]. These "strange, new ideas" often involved rules about food or ritual meals, which some believed provided God's grace [4]. The author reminds his audience that their "altar" is Christ, not the physical altar in Jerusalem, thereby redirecting their focus from external practices to the unchanging person of Jesus (Hebrews 13:8-10) [4]. This illustrates a concern that culturally specific practices or interpretations could overshadow the universal and unchanging truth of Christ.
Furthermore, the New Testament warns against teachings that foster division within the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians, Paul criticizes those who identify themselves with particular teachers, stating that such behavior is "not in keeping with the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:4) [6]. Adam Clarke notes that teachers should "scrupulously avoid giving any cause of offense either to the unconverted Jews or the unconverted Gentiles, so as to prejudice them against Christianity: nor to the Church of God" [7]. This suggests that teaching should be presented in a way that promotes unity and avoids unnecessary cultural or subjective barriers to the Gospel. The language used in teaching should also be plain and intelligible, avoiding "high and florid language" or "cabalistical meanings" that obscure the truth [8]. The goal is to speak "the things of God in the words of God," making the message clear and accessible [8].
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (Rotherham) — Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith;—”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (BSB) — See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 3:9: Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Tit 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:9: 13:9-10 Since Jesus does not change (13:8), it is unwise for a believer to be attracted by strange, new ideas. The false teachings in view seemed to involve rules about food. In some branches of Judaism, certain ritual meals were understood as providing God’s grace to those participating. Some in the community might have been tempted to abandon the Christian community by participating in Jewish fellowship meals. These Jewish meals at times encouraged participants to focus on the Jerusalem altar. The author reminds his hearers that we have an altar of which those ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:4: 3:4 Proudly identifying oneself with a preferred teacher (see 1:12) was common in Greek culture, but it is not in keeping with the mind of Christ (3:5-9; cp. Matt 23:8-10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 10:32: Give none offense, etc. - Scrupulously avoid giving any cause of offense either to the unconverted Jews or the unconverted Gentiles, so as to prejudice them against Christianity: nor to the Church of God, made up of converts from the above parties.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:13: Which things also we speak - We dare no more use the language of the Jews and the Gentiles in speaking of those glorious things, than we can indulge their spirit. The Greek orators affected a high and florid language, full of tropes and figures, which dazzled more than it enlightened. The rabbins affected obscurity, and were studious to find out cabalistical meanings, which had no tendency to make the people wise unto salvation. The apostles could not follow any of these; they spoke the things of God in the words of God; every thing was plain and intelligible”