Dangers of Relying on Extrabiblical Examples in Preaching
Extrabiblical examples—stories, anecdotes, and illustrations drawn from outside Scripture—carry inherent risks when deployed in Christian preaching. While not forbidden outright, their use demands careful discernment, as they can subtly redirect attention from the sufficiency of God's Word to the persuasive power of human eloquence.
The Sufficiency of Scripture
The biblical text itself provides the primary warrant for caution. Paul warned the Corinthians against those who would proclaim "a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed" or offer "a different gospel" [3], highlighting how easily congregations can be led astray when the message departs from apostolic teaching. False teachers throughout Scripture have relied on flattery and persuasive speech rather than the plain declaration of God's Word [2]. The prophets consistently rebuked Israel for measuring God "by its own standard" and rendering to him "a carnal worship" focused on outward performance rather than heart obedience [5]. When preachers lean heavily on extrabiblical material, they risk implying that Scripture alone cannot compel or convince.
The Danger of Worldly Association
Reliance on secular stories, cultural references, or philosophical frameworks can constitute a form of "alliance and society with the enemies of God" [1]. While this language may sound extreme, the principle remains: sustained dependence on worldly wisdom to validate biblical truth subtly elevates that wisdom to a position of authority. Such alliances "are ensnaring" and "are defiling" [1], gradually reshaping the congregation's understanding of what counts as authoritative. The preacher who consistently validates Scripture through extrabiblical examples trains listeners to seek confirmation outside the text rather than submitting to its intrinsic authority.
The Temptation to Flatter
Extrabiblical illustrations often function as a form of rhetorical flattery, designed to win approval or demonstrate cultural sophistication. Yet "ministers should not use" flattery [2], and "wisdom, a preservative against" it, comes from Scripture itself [2]. When a preacher prioritizes relatability over fidelity, or cultural resonance over textual exposition, the sermon becomes a performance aimed at gaining respect rather than declaring truth. Paul explicitly distanced himself from such tactics, insisting he did not come "with enticing words of man's wisdom" but in demonstration of the Spirit's power (1 Corinthians 2:4).
The Call to Self-Denial
Christ modeled self-denial in his teaching ministry, refusing to accommodate worldly expectations or employ manipulative rhetoric [4]. Preachers are "especially called to exercise" this same discipline [4], which includes restraint in the pulpit. The temptation to embellish, to make the sermon more entertaining or accessible through extrabiblical content, must be weighed against the call to let Scripture speak with its own voice and authority.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Flattery — Saints should not used -- Job 32:21,22. Ministers should not use -- 1Th 2:5. The wicked use, to Others. -- Ps 5:9; 12:2. Themselves. -- Ps 36:2. Hypocrites use, to God. -- Ps 78:36. Those in authority. -- Da 11:34. False prophets and teachers use -- Eze 12:24; Ro 16:18. Wisdom, a preservative against -- Pr 4:5. Worldly advantage obtained by -- Da 11:21,22. Seldom gains respect -- Pr 28:23. Avoid those given to -- Pr 20:19. Danger of -- Pr 7:21-23; 20:5. Punishment of -- Job 17:5; Ps 12:3. Exemplified Woman of Tekoah. -- 2Sa 14:17,20. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:2-6”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 11:4 (BSB) — For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 6.3: the present day impudently boast of attending to the word, while they cannot at all endure the godly admonitions and reproofs which proceed from the doctrine of the word. Thus when the Prophets inculcate moral duties, they bring forward nothing new, but only explain those parts of the Law which had been misunderstood. For instance, the people thought that they had discharged their duty admirably, when they offered sacrifices and performed the outward services of religion; for the world measures God by its own standard, and renders to him a car”