Effective Use of Extrabiblical Sources in Teaching and Preaching
The effective use of extrabiblical sources in teaching and preaching involves careful discernment and a clear understanding of their role in relation to the authoritative Word of God. While the Bible itself is considered "God-breathed" and effective for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [9], other sources can serve to illuminate, illustrate, and apply biblical truths.
Preaching and teaching are central to Christian ministry, with biblical mandates emphasizing the need to "preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching" [3]. The goal is to teach "the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" [2]. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes sought "acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth," and "searched foorth, and prepared many parables" [1, 5]. This suggests a precedent for employing various rhetorical and illustrative methods to convey truth.
Extrabiblical sources can be valuable for several reasons:
Contextual Understanding: Historical, cultural, and linguistic information from outside the Bible can help teachers and preachers understand the original context of biblical passages. This can include details about ancient customs, political situations, or philosophical ideas that influenced the biblical authors or their audiences. Such information can prevent misinterpretations and enrich the meaning of the text.
Illustration and Application: Analogies, stories, and examples from literature, history, science, or personal experience can make abstract biblical concepts more relatable and memorable for contemporary audiences. Just as the Preacher prepared "many parables" [5], modern communicators can draw from a wide array of human knowledge to illustrate divine truths. However, the primary aim remains to teach "the basic principles of God’s word" [4].
Engagement with Contemporary Issues: Extrabiblical sources can help bridge the gap between ancient texts and modern concerns. By referencing current events, societal trends, or philosophical debates, teachers and preachers can demonstrate the relevance of biblical teachings to the lives of their listeners. This can help mature Christians "discern and resist false teaching" by grounding them in a "well-grounded knowledge of the Good News and of Christ himself" [10].
Apologetics and Outreach: Engaging with non-Christian perspectives or secular thought can be crucial for apologetics, allowing preachers to address objections to the faith and present the Gospel in a way that resonates with those outside the church. John Calvin emphasized an "ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion," encouraging those with knowledge to "labor to enlighten others" [7].
However, the use of extrabiblical sources must be approached with caution and discernment. The authority of Scripture must always remain paramount. The Bible is considered "inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech)" [9]. Therefore, extrabiblical sources should never be treated as having equal authority to Scripture, nor should they be used to contradict or undermine biblical teaching. Their role is to serve the Word, not to supersede it.
John Gill, in his commentary on Jeremiah 31:34, notes that while there will be a time when direct teaching is no longer needed (in heaven), "in every period of time before it," the "outward ministry of the word" is necessary [6]. This implies that teaching, including the use of various means, is a continuous need. Similarly, Gill, commenting on Romans 10:15, highlights the necessity of being "sent" to preach, which includes having "qualifications for the ministerial work" [8]. These qualifications implicitly include the wisdom to rightly handle both biblical and extrabiblical material.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. -- Ecclesiastes 12:10”
- Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
- 2 Timothy “preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. -- 2 Timothy 4:2”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 5:12 (BSB) — Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:9 (Geneva1599) — And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to heare, and searched foorth, and prepared many parables.”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 31:34: And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,.... Which is not to be understood of the outward ministry of the word; in heaven indeed there will be no need of it, nor in the New Jerusalem state; but in every period of time before it. In the first times of the Gospel, persons were appointed and qualified by Christ to be pastors and teachers; and in the latter day men shall run to and fro, and increase knowledge; besides, the saints in the present state stand in need of teaching; since they know but in part, and there is room for a ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 8.8: an ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion, that every one not satisfied with his own calling and his personal knowledge will desire to draw others along with him. And indeed nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than that deadness which would lead a man to disregard his brethren, and to keep the light of knowledge choked up within his own breast. The greater the eminence above others which any man has received from his calling so much the more diligently ought he to labor to enlighten others. This points out to”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent,.... There is no proper, rightful, regular, and lawful preaching of the word without a mission, which is either extraordinary, or ordinary; extraordinary mission was such as the apostles themselves had; who, as they were called to extraordinary service, had extraordinary qualifications, and were sent forth in an extraordinary manner, with a power of doing miracles, and immediately by Christ himself. Ordinary mission is of men to be pastors and teachers, which includes qualifications for the ministerial work; for whom Chr”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:14: 4:14 We won’t be tossed and blown about: Mature Christians, with a well-grounded knowledge of the Good News and of Christ himself, will be able to discern and resist false teaching (see Gal 1:6-7; 3:1; Col 2:8-23; 1 Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5, 20; 2 Tim 4:3-4; Titus 1:11).”