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Effective Uses of Extrabiblical Examples in Reformed Preaching

Reformed preaching, while rooted in biblical exposition, can effectively incorporate extrabiblical examples to illuminate scriptural truths and engage congregants. These examples serve to illustrate principles, provide relatable models, and underscore the universal applicability of Christian doctrine.

One primary use of extrabiblical examples is to demonstrate the practical outworking of biblical virtues and commands. For instance, when discussing self-denial, a preacher might draw upon examples of individuals who have exemplified this trait, mirroring Christ's own example of self-denial [1]. Similarly, the concept of sincerity, which Christ exemplified and ministers should embody, can be illustrated through historical or contemporary figures known for their genuine character [2]. Liberality, a characteristic of saints and pleasing to God, can be made tangible through stories of generous individuals, much as Christ's own liberality is presented as an example [3]. Even seemingly mundane practices like early rising, which Christ himself practiced, can be reinforced by examples of diligent individuals throughout history who have used their mornings for devotion or duty [4]. These examples move the abstract concept into concrete reality for the listener.

Extrabiblical examples can also serve to highlight the continuity of God's work and the enduring nature of faith across different eras and cultures. The apostle in Hebrews, for example, extensively uses Old Testament figures to illustrate the nature and fruits of faith, demonstrating how individuals "lived by faith, and died and suffered extraordinary things by the strength of this grace" [10]. While these are biblical examples, the principle extends to extrabiblical narratives that showcase similar faith. Such examples can bridge the gap between ancient texts and modern experience, showing that the challenges and triumphs of faith are not unique to biblical times.

Furthermore, extrabiblical examples can help preachers apply biblical principles to contemporary situations, making the message more relevant and impactful. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses the liberality of the Gentile churches as an "experiment of this ministration" to demonstrate their "professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ," leading to the glorification of God [8]. This illustrates how the practical actions of believers, even outside the immediate context of Jerusalem, serve as a testament to their faith. In a similar vein, modern examples of Christian service and generosity can demonstrate the ongoing power of the Gospel to transform lives and communities.

The use of examples is not merely illustrative but can also be persuasive. When Jesus himself expounded the scriptures to his disciples on the road to Emmaus, he began "at Moses, etc." and applied "all the prophecies relative to the incarnation, birth, teaching, miracles, sufferings, death, and resurrection of the blessed Jesus" to himself, appealing to "well known facts" [5]. This suggests that concrete examples, whether biblical or extrabiblical, can powerfully reinforce the truth of the message. The effectiveness of such a sermon was evident in the disciples' burning hearts [5].

However, the use of extrabiblical examples must be carefully managed to ensure that the sermon remains grounded in biblical truth. The primary focus of Reformed preaching is the exposition of Scripture. As Matthew Henry notes regarding the book of Hebrews, the apostle proceeds in a "plain profitable method of doctrine, reason, and use," applying "truths before asserted and proved" [9]. Extrabiblical examples should always serve to illuminate or apply these asserted and proven truths, rather than overshadowing them or introducing foreign concepts. John Gill, in his introduction to Hebrews 6, emphasizes the importance of moving from the "rudiments of the Christian religion" to a "perfect knowledge of evangelic truths" [6]. Extrabiblical examples should aid in this progression, not distract from it.

The danger of apostasy, for instance, is a serious concern addressed in Hebrews, where those who "apostatize from Christ, and finally reject him as their Savior, cannot be renewed again to repentance" [7]. While extrabiblical examples might illustrate the consequences of such apostasy, the core warning and its theological grounding must come directly from the biblical text. Similarly, when discussing the role of ministers as examples, John Gill notes that "when the ministers of the word have their affections raised, and are in lively frames, the churches are affected and raised with them" [11]. This spiritual dynamic, rooted in the minister's biblical calling, can be illustrated by extrabiblical accounts of impactful preachers, but the authority for the minister's role derives from Scripture.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  5. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 24:27: Beginning at Moses, etc. - What a sermon this must have been, where all the prophecies relative to the incarnation, birth, teaching, miracles, sufferings, death, and resurrection of the blessed Jesus were all adduced, illustrated, and applied to himself, by an appeal to the well known facts which had taken place during his life! We are almost irresistibly impelled to exclaim, What a pity this discourse had not been preserved! No wonder their hearts burned within them, while hearing such a sermon, from such a preacher. The law and the prophets had all borne testimony,”
  6. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 6 In this chapter the apostle exhorts the believing Hebrews not to rest in the rudiments of the Christian religion they had learned; and much less to lay them again in the foundation after the Jewish manner, of which he instances in six particulars; but to seek after a perfect knowledge of evangelic truths, which, under a divine permission, was his determination to do, Heb 6:1 which was the best method to prevent apostasy, he dissuades from; by giving the characters of apostates, showing how far they may go in the knowledge of di”
  7. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 6 (introduction): We must proceed from the first principles of the doctrine of Christ unto perfection, and not lay the foundation a second time, Heb 6:1-3. Those who were once enlightened, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost and the various blessings of the Gospel, if they apostatize from Christ, and finally reject him as their Savior, cannot be renewed again to repentance, Heb 6:4-6. The double similitude of the ground blessed of God, and bearing fruit; and of that ground which is cursed of God, and bears briers and thorns, Heb 6:7, Heb 6:8. The apostle's con”
  8. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
  9. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:1: The apostle proceeds in the plain profitable method of doctrine, reason, and use, through this epistle. Here we have the application of the truths before asserted and proved; this is brought in by the illative particle therefore, with which this chapter begins, and which shows its connection with the former, where the apostle having proved Christ to be superior to the angels by whose ministry the law was given, and therefore that the gospel dispensation must be more excellent than the legal, he now comes to apply this doctrine both by way of exhortation and argume”
  10. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11 (introduction): The apostle having, in the close of the foregoing chapter, recommended the grace of faith and a life of faith as the best preservative against apostasy, he how enlarges upon the nature and fruits of this excellent grace. I. The nature of it, and the honour it reflects upon all who live in the exercise of it (Heb 11:1-3). II. The great examples we have in the Old Testament of those who lived by faith, and died and suffered extraordinary things by the strength of his grace (v. 4-38). And, III. The advantages that we have in the gospel for the exercise ”
  11. Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 1:19: And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them,.... When the ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and move in acts of devotion, the churches join with them; see Rev 4:9; and in their lives and conversations they are examples to them; and churches and members ought to walk as they have them, for an example in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up; when the ministers of the word have their affections raised, and are in lively f”
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