Balancing Biblical Authority with Extrabiblical Examples in Spiritual Growth
The concept of spiritual growth in Christian tradition is deeply rooted in biblical authority, yet often draws upon extrabiblical examples to illustrate and encourage believers. The Bible itself provides numerous examples of individuals growing in faith and wisdom, alongside direct commands and principles for spiritual development.
One foundational aspect of spiritual growth is the strengthening of one's inner being, often described as "waxing strong in spirit." This is exemplified in the life of Jesus, of whom it is said, "And the child grew... and waxed strong in spirit" [1]. This growth in spirit suggests a development of understanding, judgment, memory, and will, all directed towards what is good [1]. Such a description highlights that spiritual maturity is not static but a dynamic process.
The Bible frequently emphasizes seeking God and His strength as central to spiritual growth. Psalm 105:4 exhorts believers to "Seek the Lord and his strength" [6]. This "strength" can refer to God's presence, symbolized by the ark in the Old Testament, or, typologically, to Jesus Christ himself, whom God has made strong [6]. The idea of God strengthening individuals is also found in passages like Psalm 20:2, which speaks of God sending help and strengthening from Zion, potentially including physical benefits like courage that stem from a sense of divine favor [5].
Spiritual growth is also understood as a process of being conformed to Christ, who is exalted to a position of authority over all creation [3, 4]. This exaltation, demonstrated through His resurrection, is seen as a powerful act of God that enables the spiritual resurrection of believers' souls now and their bodies in the future [8]. The blessings believers receive through Christ are described as "exceedingly great and precious benefits," which are appropriately recounted in praise to God [7]. These spiritual blessings are not merely abstract but are meant to transform the believer.
While biblical narratives and commands form the bedrock, extrabiblical examples often serve to illustrate these principles in practical ways. These examples might include historical figures, personal testimonies, or even fictional narratives that embody biblical virtues. However, the authority of such examples is always subordinate to the inspired Word of God. The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the proper use of spiritual gifts within the church, emphasizing that these gifts, whether ordinary or extraordinary, are meant for the perfecting of the body of Christ through love [2]. This suggests that any extrabiblical example, to be truly beneficial for spiritual growth, must align with the overarching purpose of building up the church and fostering love, as guided by biblical teaching.
Sources
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 2:39: And the child grew,.... In body, in strength, and in stature; which shows that it was a true body Christ assumed, and like ours, which did not come to its maturity at once, but by degrees: and waxed strong in spirit, or in his soul; for as he had a true body, he had also a reasonable soul; the faculties of which were far from being weak, they were exceeding strong, and appeared stronger and stronger every day; his understanding was clear, his judgment solid, and his memory strong and retentive, his will, and the desires of it, were to that which is good, and his affec”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:51: 24:51 Cp. 2 Kgs 2:11. Jesus’ ascension was his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation (see Acts 2:32-36; 5:31; Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:13).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:21: 1:21 he is far above: Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in this age and the coming age (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Rom 8:38-39; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 12:7-9).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 20:2: strengthen thee--sustain in conflict; even physical benefits may be included, as courage for war, &c., as such may proceed from a sense of divine favor, secured in the use of spiritual privileges.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 105:4: Seek the Lord and his strength,.... The ark, which is called his strength, and the ark of his strength, Psa 78:61, because he had shown his great strength by it, in dividing the waters at Jordan, throwing down the walls of Jericho, and plaguing the Philistines because of it, when among them. This was a symbol of God's presence, before which he was sought by his people; and was a type of our Lord Jesus, the man of God's right hand, whom he has made strong for himself, and who is called his strength, Psa 80:18. Some render it, and which Aben Ezra makes mention of, thou”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 1:3: He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God. I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, Eph 1:3, where he styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:20: in Christ--as our "first-fruits" of the resurrection, and Head, in virtue of God's mighty working in whom His power to us-ward is made possible and actual [ALFORD]. when he raised him--"in that He raised Him." The raising of Christ is not only an earnest of our bodies being hereafter raised, but has a spiritual power in it involving (by virtue of our living union with Him, as members with the Head) the resurrection, spiritually of the believer's soul now, and, consequently, of his body hereafter (Rom 6:8-11; Rom 8:11). The Son, too, as God (though”