Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Creating Theological Examples
When constructing theological examples, several pitfalls can undermine their effectiveness and accuracy. One common error is to treat an illustration as an allegory where every detail holds theological significance. Paul's use of a marriage illustration in Romans 7:2-3 is a case in point; it is not an allegory where each element has a theological counterpart. Instead, Paul employs it to make two specific points: that death releases a person from legal obligation, and that freedom from one relationship allows for a new one. The application of this illustration is then made clear in Romans 7:4 [3]. Misinterpreting such examples as allegories can lead to forced interpretations and theological inaccuracies.
Another pitfall is the creation of examples that promote a distorted view of God or encourage idolatry. The prohibition against making graven images in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 4:23 serves as a foundational warning here [1, 8]. To represent God as something within creation inevitably risks worshiping the creation rather than the Creator, a practice with "deadly consequences" as described in Romans 1:18-25 [1]. Theological examples should always uphold God's transcendence and distinctness from creation, avoiding any representation that could diminish His unique nature.
Theological examples can also fall short if they are detached from practical Christian duties. Matthew Henry, commenting on Luke 16:1, emphasizes that Christ's doctrine is not merely to "amuse us with notions of divine mysteries" or "entertain us with notions of divine mercies." Rather, divine revelation is intended to "engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties," particularly beneficence and helping those in need [2]. Examples that focus solely on abstract concepts without connecting them to ethical living or practical application may miss the broader purpose of Christian teaching.
Furthermore, examples can be problematic if they are based on "profane and old wives' fables" rather than sound doctrine [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7, warns against Jewish traditions, Gnostic ideas, or other "foolish and impertinent" stories that are to be rejected in favor of "the words of faith and good doctrine" [4]. Calvin similarly cautions against "hypocritical wisdom" that exalts itself above "the plain and humble doctrine of godliness," which he argues should be "boldly laugh[ed] at and despise[d]" [5]. Theological examples must be grounded in biblical truth and avoid speculative or unbiblical narratives.
A related pitfall is the tendency to create examples that encourage extremes, either in righteousness or wickedness. The counsel in Ecclesiastes 7:15 warns against being "righteous over-much" or "wise beyond measure," as well as being "wicked overmuch" [6]. Examples that promote an unbalanced or excessive approach to spiritual disciplines or moral conduct can be detrimental, leading individuals to "ruin" themselves or "die before their time" [6]. Sound theological examples should reflect a balanced and prudent understanding of Christian living.
Finally, examples should not inadvertently encourage the imitation of evil. John Gill, commenting on 3 John 1:11, advises believers not to "follow that which is evil" or imitate the specific evils of individuals like Diotrephes, such as his pride, ambition, or inhospitality [7]. Theological examples, even when illustrating negative behaviors for cautionary purposes, must clearly delineate what is to be avoided and why, ensuring they do not inadvertently normalize or subtly endorse ungodly actions.
Sources
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:4: 20:4 Not making an image of God is the first step toward recognizing that he is transcendent—that he is the Creator of the universe and distinct from it. To represent God as something in creation was inevitably to end up worshiping the creation rather than the Creator, and this immorality had deadly consequences (Rom 1:18-25).”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16:1: We mistake if we imagine that the design of Christ's doctrine and holy religion was either to amuse us with notions of divine mysteries or to entertain us with notions of divine mercies. No, the divine revelation of both these in the gospel is intended to engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties, and, as much as any one thing, to the duty of beneficence and doing good to those who stand in need of any thing that either we have or can do for them. This our Saviour is here pressing us to, by reminding us that we are but stewards of the manifold grace ”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:2: 7:2-3 These verses are not an allegory, in which every element of the story has a theological counterpart. Paul simply cites an illustration to make two basic points: Death can release a person from obligation to the law, and freedom from one relationship can allow a person to establish a new one. Paul applies the illustration in 7:4.”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 29.7: Timothy should be moved by emulation to attempt something of the same kind, but, because those things which have an appearance of subtlety, or are adapted to ostentation, are more agreeable to human curiosity, Paul, on the contrary, pronounces that “science” which exalts itself above the plain and humble doctrine of godliness — to be falsely called and thought a science. This ought to be carefully observed, that we may learn boldly to laugh at and despise all that hypocritical wisdom which strikes the world with admiration and a”
- Ecclesiastes (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Ecclesiastes 7:15: The first of these counsels warns against extremes, on the side of good as well as on that of evil: "All have I seen in the days of my vanity: there are righteous men who perish by their righteousness, and there are wicked men who continue long by their wickedness. Be not righteous over-much, and show not thyself wise beyond measure: why wilt thou ruin thyself? Be not wicked overmuch, and be no fool: why wilt thou die before thy time is? It is good that thou holdest thyself to the one, and also from the other withdrawest not thine hand: for he that fearet”
- 3 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 3 John 1:11: Beloved, follow not that which is evil,.... Follow not evil in general, it being hateful to God, contrary to his nature and will, and bad in itself, as well as pernicious in its consequences; and particularly follow not, or do not imitate the particular evil or evils in Diotrephes; as his pride, ambition, love of preeminence, and tyrannical government in the church, and especially his hard heartedness, cruelty, and inhospitality to the poor saints; and so the Arabic version reads, "do not imitate him in evil"; the examples of persons in office and authority have great”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 4:23: Take heed unto yourselves,.... Since he should not be long with them, to advise, instruct, and caution them: lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you; what that required of them, and what was promised unto them on the performance of it, and what they must expect should they break it, and particularly be so forgetful of it, and the first articles in it, as follows: and make you a graven image, or the likeness of anything which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee; a graven image in the likeness of men or women, of any beast on t”