Choosing Illustrations That Complement Scripture in Teaching
Illustrations in teaching Scripture serve to clarify and deepen understanding, much like parables illuminate spiritual truths. The Bible itself is described as "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit," making its content the ultimate source of truth [1]. Therefore, any illustration should faithfully reflect and amplify the scriptural message.
When selecting illustrations, it is crucial to ensure they align with the theological concepts presented in the text. For instance, when discussing sin, an illustration should convey its multifaceted nature. Sin is not merely an isolated act, but can be understood as "vanity" or "all sorts of sinful acts" [2]. It encompasses a "love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters—a preference of the creature to the Creator" [4]. Furthermore, deliberate sins are often committed with an "insolent or arrogant attitude," representing rebellion against God [5]. Illustrations should avoid trivializing sin or presenting it as merely a mistake, but rather as a profound alienation from God [6].
Consider the distinction between being "of the devil" and "born of the devil" when illustrating the nature of evil. Augustine, as cited in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John, clarifies that "whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [3]. This distinction is vital for accurately portraying the origin and nature of evil influence without suggesting a direct lineage from the devil in the same way one is "born of God" [3].
Illustrations can also help differentiate between various aspects of a doctrine. For example, the concept of "no sin" versus "not sinned" in 1 John 1:8 and 1:10 can be clarified. "We have no sin" refers to the inherent corrupt nature and remaining guilt from past sins, while "we have not sinned" refers to the commission of actual sins, even after conversion [7]. An illustration could highlight this ongoing struggle against a sinful nature even in believers.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”