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Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with Scripture in Conversations

In Christian discourse, the balance between drawing upon non-biblical examples and adhering strictly to Scripture is a recurring consideration. The Bible itself emphasizes the divine origin and spiritual nature of its teachings, contrasting them with human wisdom [5, 7]. This principle suggests that while external examples might illustrate points, they should not supersede or distort biblical truth.

The apostle Paul, for instance, highlights that his preaching was "not with excellency of speech" or "arts of rhetoric," but focused on the "testimony... of God" [8]. This indicates a priority on the content of the divine message over the eloquence or persuasive techniques derived from human traditions. Similarly, Paul distinguishes between his own directives and those explicitly from the Lord, noting that some instructions he gave were not directly found in existing sacred writings but were delivered under divine influence for the first time [9]. This suggests a recognition of different levels of authority and origin for various teachings.

Scripture is presented as the ultimate source of spiritual understanding. The apostle Paul writes that "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). This verse underscores the comprehensive sufficiency of the Bible for guiding Christian life and doctrine. The "words taught by the Spirit" are contrasted with "words taught by human wisdom" [5, 7], implying a distinction in authority and efficacy.

When engaging in conversations, particularly those concerning faith, the manner of speech is also deemed important. Believers are exhorted to let their "speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt" [11, 13]. This means communication should be wholesome, wise, and spiritually edifying, avoiding "corrupt communication" and tasteless insipidity [11]. The goal is to "exemplify and recommend Christianity" through speech that is both holy and intelligent [13]. This applies not only to the content but also to the tone and approach, ensuring that discussions are serious without being gloomy, and cheerful without being irreverent [11].

The concept of "parable" in the New Testament illustrates how familiar, non-biblical examples can be used to convey spiritual truths. A parable is defined as a "placing beside or together, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" [4]. Jesus frequently used parables drawn from everyday life to explain profound spiritual concepts. These stories, while not inherently sacred texts, served as effective pedagogical tools because they resonated with the experiences of his audience. However, the parables always pointed back to spiritual realities and divine principles, rather than being ends in themselves.

The use of non-biblical examples can be seen as a way to "walk in wisdom towards those who are without" [12]. This involves engaging with those outside the Christian faith in a manner that avoids causing offense or increasing prejudices against religion, while also seeking to do them good [12]. Such an approach might involve drawing on shared experiences, cultural references, or common ethical understandings to build bridges for communication, always with the ultimate aim of pointing back to biblical truth.

However, there are cautions against relying too heavily on human wisdom or external sources. The Bible warns against "different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ" [6]. This highlights the necessity of aligning all instruction with the core tenets of Christian faith as revealed in Scripture. The "riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" and the "exceeding greatness of his power" are understood through a "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" [1, 2, 3]. This spiritual understanding is distinct from mere intellectual or worldly knowledge.

The Old Testament, for example, is seen as preparing the way for Christ, providing "documentary testimony in revealed religion" [10]. While the Old Testament contains many narratives and laws, its primary function is to point towards the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's promises. Similarly, non-biblical examples can serve a preparatory or illustrative role, but they should always direct attention to the central message of the Gospel.

Sources

  1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 41:38, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 24:7, Psalms 24:10, Psalms 29:3, Proverbs 2:5, Isaiah 11:2, Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 10:1, Matthew 6:13, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 20:33, Luke 2:14, Luke 12:12, Luke 21:15, John 8:54, John 14:17, John 14:26, John 16:3, John 17:3, John 17:25, John 20:17, Acts 6:10, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:28, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:6, 2 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 3:5,”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 2:4 cross-references: Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Job 33:27, Psalms 10:11, Psalms 78:38, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 104:24, Psalms 130:3, Ecclesiastes 8:11, Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 63:7, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:22, Jeremiah 7:10, Ezekiel 12:22, Ezekiel 16:63, Hosea 3:5, Jonah 4:2, Matthew 24:48, Luke 15:17, Luke 19:5, Romans 3:25, Romans 6:1, Romans 6:15, Romans 9:22, Romans 10:12, Romans 11:22, Romans 11:33, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 2:2, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:17,”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:3 cross-references: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 14:20, Genesis 22:18, 1 Chronicles 4:10, 1 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 31:8, Nehemiah 9:5, Psalms 72:17, Psalms 72:19, Psalms 134:3, Isaiah 61:9, Daniel 4:34, Luke 2:28, John 10:29, John 14:20, John 15:2, John 17:21, John 20:17, Romans 12:5, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 2 Corinthians 11:31, Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 2:11, Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 9:23, 1 Peter 1:3,”
  4. 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”
  5. 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 2:13 (NASB) — which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”
  6. I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
  7. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:13 (ASV) — Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words.”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 7:12: But to the rest speak I, not the Lord - As if he had said: For what I have already spoken I have the testimony of the Lord by Moses, and of my own Lord and Master, Christ; but for the directions which I am now about to give there is no written testimony, and I deliver them now for the first time. These words do not intimate that the apostle was not now under the influences of the Divine Spirit; but, that there was nothing in the sacred writings which bore directly on this point. If any brother - A Christian man, have a wife that believeth not, i.e. who is a h”
  10. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:47: If ye believe not--(See Luk 16:31). his writings . . . my words--a remarkable contrast, not absolutely exalting Old Testament Scripture above His own words, but pointing to the office of those venerable documents to prepare Christ's way, to the necessity universally felt for documentary testimony in revealed religion, and perhaps (as STIER adds) to the relation which the comparative "letter" of the Old Testament holds to the more flowing "words" of "spirit and life" which characterize the New Testament. Next: John Chapter 6”
  11. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 4:6: with grace--Greek, "IN grace" as its element (Col 3:16; Eph 4:29). Contrast the case of those "of the world" who "therefore speak of the world" (Jo1 4:5). Even the smallest leaf of the believer should be full of the sap of the Holy Spirit (Jer 17:7-8). His conversation should be cheerful without levity, serious without gloom. Compare Luk 4:22; Joh 7:46, as to Jesus' speech. seasoned with salt--that is, the savor of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness, excluding all "corrupt communication," and also tasteless insipidity (Mat 5:13; Mar”
  12. Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 4:5: The apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian church among whom they lived (Col 4:5): Walk in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fitt”
  13. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 4:6: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt - Let it be such as has a tendency to oppose and preserve from the corruption of sin. The rabbins say: "He who, in prayer, omits any word, should begin again at the beginning; for he who does not is like boiled pottage, in which there is no salt." Berachoth, fol. 34, 1. Let all your conversation be such as may tend to exemplify and recommend Christianity; let it not only be holy, but wise, gracious, and intelligent. A harsh method of proposing or defending the doctrines of Christianity only serves to repel m”
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