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Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with Biblical Grounding

The use of non-biblical examples in theological discourse, while potentially illustrative, must be carefully balanced with grounding in biblical texts to maintain doctrinal integrity. The New Testament itself employs various forms of non-literal or illustrative language, such as parables, which are comparisons or similitudes used to illustrate one subject by another [5]. However, when drawing upon external examples, the primary authority remains the inspired Scripture.

The Apostle Paul, for instance, frequently grounds his arguments in the Old Testament, even when addressing contemporary issues or introducing new theological concepts. In Galatians, when discussing justification by faith, Paul refers to God's promise to Abraham, stating that "the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed'" (Galatians 3:8) [7]. This demonstrates how a theological point—justification of Gentiles by faith—is directly linked to an ancient biblical narrative and divine promise. The "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" cross-references Galatians 3:17, which speaks of the law coming 430 years after the covenant, with passages from Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers, highlighting the deep biblical roots of Paul's argument [2]. Similarly, Hebrews 11:8, which speaks of Abraham's obedience, is cross-referenced with numerous Genesis passages detailing Abraham's call and the promises made to him [1]. This consistent appeal to established biblical narratives underscores the principle of grounding theological claims in Scripture.

The danger of "divers and strange doctrines" is a recurring theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the need for biblical grounding [10]. The author of Hebrews warns against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9). The "Jamieson, Fausset & Brown" commentary interprets "divers" as differing from the "one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ," and "strange" as foreign to the truth [6]. This suggests that doctrines not rooted in the consistent teaching of Christ and the apostles are problematic. Such doctrines might arise from various sources, including "observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats" or other ascetic practices [6]. The emphasis is on being "established with grace," rather than with external observances or human traditions [6].

The concept of "edification" is also relevant here. Paul states that apostolic authority is "for edification, and not for destruction" (2 Corinthians 10:8). The Greek word for "destruction" in this context is also used for "casting down," implying that teachings should build up rather than tear down [8]. This building-up process is inherently tied to sound doctrine, which is derived from Scripture. When non-biblical examples are used, they should serve to clarify or illustrate biblical truths, contributing to edification, rather than introducing ideas that could undermine or contradict biblical teaching.

The New Testament writers often draw upon common human experiences or observations to make a point, but these are always subservient to the biblical message. For example, Paul notes that "the fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31), using a common observation about the transient nature of worldly things to encourage a focus on God [9]. This is not an introduction of a new doctrine but an illustration of an existing one. The "Jamieson, Fausset & Brown" commentary explains that "fashion" refers to the "present fleeting form," comparing it to "a vain show," "a dream," or "a vapor" [9]. Such analogies are distinct from introducing theological concepts that lack direct biblical support.

Even when discussing spiritual realities that are not explicitly detailed in the Old Testament, such as the ministry of angels, the New Testament still frames these within a biblical worldview. Hebrews 1:14 asks, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" This statement, while revealing more about angels, is consistent with Old Testament references to angelic activity, which the "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" cross-references with passages from Genesis, Psalms, and Daniel [4]. The New Testament builds upon, clarifies, and fulfills the Old, rather than introducing entirely foreign concepts without any scriptural precedent.

The danger of relying too heavily on non-biblical examples or human traditions is highlighted in Jesus's rebuke of the Pharisees for nullifying the word of God by their tradition (Matthew 15:6). While this specific instance refers to Jewish tradition, the principle extends to any non-biblical source that might be elevated to a position of authority equal to or greater than Scripture. The Apostle Paul warns against being "carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles" (Ephesians 4:14). This implies a need for stability and grounding, which is found in the consistent teaching of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.

The concept of humanity's fallen nature, for example, is deeply rooted in biblical accounts. Ephesians 2:3 states that believers were "by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." This is cross-referenced with numerous Old Testament passages such as Genesis 5:3, Genesis 6:5, and Psalms 51:5, which describe humanity's inherent sinfulness from birth and the pervasive nature of evil thoughts [3]. This foundational doctrine is not derived from external philosophical concepts but from the biblical narrative of creation and the fall.

Sources

  1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 11:8 cross-references: Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:1, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 15:7, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 20:13, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 26:3, Numbers 10:30, Deuteronomy 9:5, Joshua 24:3, Nehemiah 9:7, Psalms 105:9, Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah 51:2, Ezekiel 36:24, Matthew 2:21, Matthew 7:24, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:5, Romans 6:17, Romans 10:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 11:33, James 2:14, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 4:17”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 3:17 cross-references: Genesis 15:13, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:19, Exodus 12:40, Numbers 23:19, Numbers 30:8, Job 40:8, Psalms 33:10, Isaiah 14:27, Isaiah 28:18, Luke 1:68, John 1:17, John 8:56, Acts 7:6, Romans 3:3, Romans 3:25, Romans 4:13, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 1 Corinthians 10:19, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 3:15, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:17, Colossians 2:4, Hebrews 6:13, Hebrews 7:18, Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 11:17, Hebrews 11:39, 1 Peter 1:11, 1 Peter 1:20”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:3 cross-references: Genesis 5:3, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Job 14:4, Job 15:14, Job 25:4, Psalms 51:5, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6, Daniel 9:5, Mark 4:19, Mark 7:21, John 1:13, John 3:1, John 8:44, Acts 14:16, Acts 17:30, Romans 1:24, Romans 3:9, Romans 3:22, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:12, Romans 7:18, Romans 8:7, Romans 9:22, Romans 11:30, Romans 13:14, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 2:15, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 4:22, 1 Timothy 6:9, Titus 3:3, James 4:1, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 2:10, 1 Peter 4:2, 2 Peter ”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 1:14 cross-references: Genesis 19:15, Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:24, 1 Kings 22:19, Job 1:6, Psalms 34:7, Psalms 91:11, Psalms 103:20, Psalms 104:4, Isaiah 6:2, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22, Daniel 7:10, Daniel 9:21, Daniel 10:11, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 18:10, Matthew 24:31, Matthew 25:34, Luke 1:19, Luke 1:23, Luke 2:9, Luke 2:13, Luke 16:22, Acts 5:19, Acts 10:3, Acts 11:22, Acts 12:7, Acts 12:23, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:26, Acts 27:23, Romans 8:17, Romans 13:6, Romans 15:16, Romans 15:27, 2 Corinthians 9:12, Galatians 3:7, Galatians 3:9, Galatians 3:2”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  6. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
  7. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:8: And--Greek, "Moreover." foreseeing--One great excellency of Scripture is, that in it all points liable ever to be controverted, are, with prescient wisdom, decided in the most appropriate language. would justify--rather, "justifieth." Present indicative. It is now, and at all times, God's one way of justification. the heathen--rather, "the Gentiles"; or "the nations," as the same Greek is translated at the end of the verse. God justifieth the Jews, too, "by faith, not by works." But he specifies the Gentiles in particular here, as it was their ”
  8. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 10:8: "For even if I were to boast somewhat more exceedingly (than I do, Co2 10:3-6) of our (apostolic) authority (Co2 10:6; Co2 13:10) . . . I should not be put to shame (by the fact; as I should be if my authority proved to be without foundation: my threats of punishment not being carried into effect)." for edification . . . not for . . . destruction--Greek, "for building up . . . not for . . . CASTING DOWN" (the same Greek as in Co2 10:5): the image of a building as in Co2 10:4-5. Though we "cast down reasonings," this is not in order to destroy,”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:31: not abusing it--not abusing it by an overmuch using of it. The meaning of "abusing" here is, not so much perverting, as using it to the full [BENGEL]. We are to use it, "not to take our fill" of its pursuits as our chief aim (compare Luk 10:40-42). As the planets while turning on their own axis, yet revolve round the sun; so while we do our part in our own worldly sphere, God is to be the center of all our desires. fashion--the present fleeting form. Compare Psa 39:6, "vain show"; Psa 73:20, "a dream"; Jam 4:14, "a vapor." passeth away--not ”
  10. 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”
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