Avoiding Influence of Extrabiblical Authorities in Christian Life
Avoiding Extrabiblical Authorities in Christian Life
The Christian life is marked by a commitment to follow Christ and adhere to the teachings of Scripture. One key aspect of this commitment involves avoiding influences that could lead believers away from biblical truth. The apostle Paul warns against being "captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ" [1]. This warning underscores the importance of discerning and avoiding extrabiblical authorities that might undermine faith.
The New Testament provides several guidelines for maintaining a life centered on Christ and Scripture. In Acts 15:20, the early church leaders advise Gentile converts to "abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood" [3]. This directive not only addresses specific moral and ceremonial issues but also illustrates the early Christian community's effort to define its boundaries and practices in relation to external influences.
Paul's letters further emphasize the need to avoid practices and influences contrary to the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 3:5, he describes individuals who "maintain a form of godliness, but deny its power" and advises believers to "avoid these people" [2]. This caution highlights the danger of being swayed by those who may appear religious but do not embody the true power of the Gospel.
The theme of avoiding harmful or ungodly influences is also present in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs warns against the "strange woman" who flatters with her words, advising readers to keep themselves from her [4]. Commenting on Proverbs 7:5, John Gill interprets this as a warning against not only immorality but also against "all the errors, heresies, idolatry, superstition, and will worship" associated with the "whore of Rome" [4]. While this interpretation reflects a specific historical and theological context, it illustrates the broader principle of being cautious about external influences that might corrupt faith or practice.
In the context of Christian living, believers are encouraged to be mindful of their associations and the potential for negative influences. The apostle Paul advises the Corinthians to "give none offense" to Jews, Gentiles, or the church of God, emphasizing the importance of avoiding behaviors that might prejudice others against Christianity [7]. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 8:20, Paul takes care to avoid any appearance of misusing the generosity of other churches, demonstrating prudence in financial matters to maintain integrity and avoid blame [6].
The New Testament also highlights the spiritual dimension of the struggle against extrabiblical influences. According to Ephesians 6:12, believers are not to consider human beings as their primary enemies but rather recognize that their opposition comes from "the unseen world of spiritual evil" [5]. This understanding underscores the need for spiritual vigilance and adherence to Christ, who has authority over all spiritual forces.
Historically, Christian traditions have interpreted these biblical teachings in various ways, often in response to specific cultural or theological challenges. For example, the Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:9, emphasizes the importance of avoiding company with scandalous professors to maintain the integrity of the Christian community [8]. This approach reflects a broader concern with maintaining purity and avoiding the corrupting influence of those who claim to be Christians but live in sin.
Sources
- 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.”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:5 (LEB) — maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people.”
- Acts “but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. -- Acts 15:20”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 7:5: That they may keep thee from the strange woman,.... Nothing has a greater tendency than Christ and his Gospel, and an intimate acquaintance with them, and a retention of them, to keep from all sin, from all fleshly lusts, from the sin of uncleanness; and also from all the errors, heresies, idolatry, superstition, and will worship, of the whore of Rome; a stranger to God and true godliness, to Christ and his truths, the Spirit and his operations; from the stranger which flattereth with her words; See Gill on Pro 2:16; see Gill on Pro 5:3, and see Gill on Pro 6:24.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:12: 6:12 Believers should not consider human beings to be their enemies. Instead, the opposition they face comes from the unseen world of spiritual evil, and Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21-22).”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 8:20: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us - Taking this prudent caution to have witnesses of our conduct, and such as were chosen by the Churches themselves, that we might not be suspected of having either embezzled or misapplied their bounty, See the note on Co1 16:4.”
- 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 (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 5:9: Here the apostle advises them to shun the company and converse of scandalous professors. Consider, I. The advice itself: I wrote to you in a letter not to company with fornicators, Co1 5:9. Some think this was an epistle written to them before, which is lost. Yet we have lost nothing by it, the Christian revelation being entire in those books of scripture which have come down to us, which are all that were intended by God for the general use of Christians, or he could and would in his providence have preserved more of the writings of inspired men. Some think”