Caution Against Unvetted Allegories and Examples in Teaching
The Caution Against Unvetted Allegories and Examples in Teaching
The use of allegories and examples in teaching has been a longstanding practice in Christian pedagogy. However, the Bible and various Christian traditions caution against using unvetted or inappropriate allegories and examples, which can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, and even heresy.
The biblical basis for this caution can be seen in the warnings against "endless genealogies" and "foolish questions" in 1 Timothy 1:4 [3]. The apostle Paul advises against teaching that deviates from the sound doctrine of faith, suggesting that some forms of teaching can be detrimental to the spiritual health of the community. Similarly, the writer of Ecclesiastes notes that "the writing of books is endless, and too much study is wearisome" (Ecclesiastes 12:12) [1], implying that not all forms of teaching or study are edifying.
The dangers of unbridled or unvetted teaching are also highlighted in the Epistle of James, where the author warns against many becoming teachers, as they will be judged more harshly (James 3:1) [4]. This warning is echoed in various Christian traditions. For instance, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on James 3 notes that the office of teacher is noble but that few are fit for it, emphasizing the need for caution and discernment in teaching [5].
The use of allegories and examples in teaching can be problematic if not grounded in sound doctrine and careful consideration. As Matthew Henry notes on Titus 3:9, there are "needful questions to be discussed and cleared" but also "idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edification of men" [9]. This distinction underscores the importance of vetting the content of teaching to ensure it aligns with Christian doctrine and promotes spiritual growth.
Various Christian traditions have addressed the issue of teaching and the use of allegories and examples. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of correction and discernment in teaching, highlighting that not all forms of teaching are beneficial [7]. Similarly, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary on James 3:1, warns against the eagerness to become teachers without proper consideration of the responsibility and gravity of the office [8].
The caution against unvetted allegories and examples in teaching is also reflected in the warnings against causing offense or stumbling others. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites various biblical passages that caution against giving offense, including Matthew 18:7 and 1 Corinthians 10:32 [2]. This concern is echoed in the Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown's commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:6, which notes the danger of "a little leaven leavening the whole lump" [6].
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:12 (LEB) — My son, be careful ⌞about anything beyond these things⌟. For the writing of books is endless, and too much study ⌞is wearisome⌟.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Offence — Occasions of, must arrive -- Mt 18:7. Occasions of, forbidden -- 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3. Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors -- Mt 13:21; 24:10; 26:31. The wicked take, at The low station of Christ. -- Isa 53:1-3; Mt 13:54-57. Christ, as the corner-stone. -- Isa 8:14; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8. Christ, as the bread of life. -- Joh 6:58-61. Christ crucified. -- 1Co 1:23; Ga 5:11. The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 9:32. The necessity of inward purity. -- Mt 15:11,12. Blessedness of not taking, at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Saints warned against taking -- Joh 16:1. Saints ”
- 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;—”
- James “James 3:1 (BBE) — Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 3 (introduction): DANGER OF EAGERNESS TO TEACH, AND OF AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE: TRUE WISDOM SHOWN BY UNCONTENTIOUS MEEKNESS. (Jam. 3:1-18) be not--literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord. many--The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern the tongue well (Jam 3:2), and only such as can govern it are fit for the office; therefore, "teachers" ought not to be many. masters--rather, "teachers." The Jews were especially prone to this presumption. The idea that faith (so called) without works (Jam 2:14-26) wa”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 5:6: Your glorying in your own attainments and those of your favorite teachers (Co1 3:21; Co1 4:19; Co1 5:2), while all the while ye connive at such a scandal, is quite unseemly. a little leaven leaveth . . . whole lump-- (Gal 5:9), namely, with present complicity in the guilt, and the danger of future contagion (Co1 15:33; Ti2 2:17).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 29:15: Parents, in educating their children, must consider, 1. The benefit of due correction. They must not only tell their children what is good and evil, but they must chide them, and correct them too, if need be, when they either neglect that which is good or do that which is evil. If a reproof will serve without the rod, it is well, but the rod must never be used without a rational and grave reproof; and then, though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the child, yet it will give wisdom. Vexatio dat intellectum - Vexation sharpens the intellec”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 3:1: My brethren, be not many masters,.... The apostle having dispatched the subject of faith and good works, which constitute the pure and undefiled religion mentioned in Jam 1:27 which gave rise to this discourse, he proceeds to consider the evidence of a religious man, suggested in Jam 1:26 who is one that bridles the tongue; and enters into an account of the use and abuse of the tongue: and which is introduced by this exhortation; and which seems to be opposed to an affectation among the Jews, to whom James writes, of being called "Rabbi, Rabbi", or "Mori, Mori", master,”
- 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”