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Ensuring Extrabiblical Examples Align with Biblical Truth

The integration of extrabiblical examples into Christian thought requires careful alignment with biblical truth, ensuring that such examples do not contradict or undermine the core tenets of scripture. This principle is rooted in the understanding that Christian doctrine and practice are primarily derived from the Bible, which serves as the ultimate authority [6]. When considering examples or teachings from outside the biblical canon, it is essential to evaluate them against the established patterns and principles found within the inspired text.

One fundamental aspect of biblical truth is the example of Christ himself. The New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the perfect model for believers in various aspects of life [4]. For instance, Christ demonstrated perfect sincerity [3], diligence [5], humility, obedience, love, and self-denial [4]. He exemplified self-denial by foregoing worldly power and comfort, as seen in passages like Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8 [1]. His life also showcased ministering to others, benevolence, forgiving injuries, and overcoming the world [4]. Any extrabiblical example, therefore, should be assessed to see if it aligns with or deviates from this perfect example of Christ. If an extrabiblical example promotes values or actions contrary to Christ's character, it should be rejected or reinterpreted to conform to biblical standards.

The concept of "truth" in the New Testament has a wide application, sometimes referring to short proverbs, prophetic utterances, or enigmatic maxims [2]. This suggests that truth can be conveyed through various forms, but its essence must remain consistent with divine revelation. The apostle Paul, for example, emphasizes that any teaching that does not agree with "the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "true religion" should be considered divergent [6]. This highlights the importance of doctrinal purity and the rejection of "divers" or "strange" doctrines that are foreign to the truth established in Christ [9].

The early church fathers also underscored the necessity of adhering to biblical truth. John Chrysostom, for instance, emphasized that teachers should speak with certainty, building up knowledge gradually, much like builders [7]. He also noted that God provides temporal blessings as people are able to bear them, suggesting a progressive revelation of truth [7]. This perspective implies that while understanding may deepen over time, the foundational truths must remain consistent. Chrysostom further highlighted that Christian truth and duty are made accessible through the apostolic message, meaning that no extraordinary striving or journeying is needed to grasp Christ's truth and law [13]. This accessibility implies a clear and consistent message that extrabiblical examples should not obscure.

The Bible itself provides examples of how to discern truth from falsehood. The apostle Paul, when citing scripture, sometimes uses phrases like "and again" to introduce further confirmation for a point, especially when the initial proof might not be entirely clear [8]. This method demonstrates a reliance on multiple scriptural witnesses to establish truth, a practice that can be extended to evaluating extrabiblical examples. If an extrabiblical example is presented, it should ideally find corroboration or at least not contradiction within the broader biblical narrative.

Furthermore, the Bible addresses the issue of human wisdom versus divine wisdom. Paul quotes from the Psalms, stating that "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain" [8]. This serves as a caution against relying solely on human reasoning or extrabiblical philosophies that may appear wise but ultimately prove to be empty when compared to God's wisdom. Therefore, any extrabiblical example, no matter how compelling it may seem from a human perspective, must be scrutinized to ensure it does not promote "fleshly wisdom" over divine truth [3].

The purpose of the law, as articulated by Paul in Romans, is not made void by faith but rather established by it [11]. This principle can be applied to the evaluation of extrabiblical examples: they should not undermine or contradict the moral and theological principles established in God's law, but rather uphold them. The insufficiency of legal sacrifices to take away sin, as discussed in Hebrews, points to the ultimate efficacy of Christ's sacrifice [12]. This theological truth means that any extrabiblical example that suggests alternative means of atonement or salvation would be contrary to biblical teaching.

Even in instances where God appears to present a "double character" or a "discrepancy" in His word, as Calvin notes regarding an oracle, the ultimate method for cherishing constancy of faith is to apply all senses to the word of God [10]. This suggests that even when faced with apparent ambiguities, the solution lies within the biblical text itself, rather than seeking external validation that might lead away from biblical truth.

In summary, ensuring extrabiblical examples align with biblical truth involves a rigorous process of comparison and discernment. This process includes:

By adhering to these principles, believers can responsibly engage with extrabiblical examples, using them to illustrate or reinforce biblical truths without compromising the authority and integrity of 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. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  3. 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; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  6. I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
  7. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 39 . Teachers should speak with certainty, 7 ; and a little at a time, 16 ; like builders, 27 . Temporal blessings given us as we can bear them, 15 . Testimony, facts the best, 49 . "Testimony of two," how applicable to God, 188 ; of man, when credible, 189 . That, expresses the consequence, not the final cause, 227 . Theaters, indecency of, 3 ; to be avoided, 4 ; corrupting tendency of, 66 ; corrupt their inmates more than prisons, 220 . Thomas, St., his fear before, exceeded by his courage after, the Crucifixion, 228 ; condemned for vain curiosity”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
  9. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 26.6: shaken off. But now all occasion of doubt is removed; so that, without controversy, he acknowledges the oracle, which he hears, to be from God. Meanwhile, God, in a certain sense, assumes a double character, that, by the appearance of disagreement and repugnance in which He presents Himself in his word, he may distract and wound the breast of the holy man. For the only method of cherishing constancy of faith, is to apply all our senses to the word of God. But so great was then the discrepancy of the word, that it would wound and l”
  11. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:31: Do we then make void the law through faith?--"Does this doctrine of justification by faith, then, dissolve the obligation of the law? If so, it cannot be of God. But away with such a thought, for it does just the reverse." God forbid: yea, we establish the law--It will be observed here, that, important as was this objection, and opening up as it did so noble a field for the illustration of the peculiar glory of the Gospel, the apostle does no more here than indignantly repel it, intending at a subsequent stage of his argument (Rom. 6:1-23) to resume ”
  12. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10 (introduction): The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, Heb 10:1-4. The purpose and will of God, as declared by the Psalmist, relative to the salvation of the world by the incarnation of Christ; and our sanctification through that will, Heb 10:5-10. Comparison between the priesthood of Christ and that of the Jews, Heb 10:11-14. The new covenant which God promised to make, and the blessings of it, Heb 10:15-17. The access which genuine believers have to the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:18-20. Having a High Priest over the Church of God, we ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: in vv. 6–10 may be useful in connection with the exposition of Chrys. The apostle quotes Deut. xxx. 11–14 in which God assures the people that his commandments are not beyond their power to obey. He brings truth and duty near to them. These expressions are typical of the principles of the Christian faith. No striving, journeying or climbing are needful to reach Christ and his truth and law. Christian truth and duty are brought near in the apostolic message. After this presentation of the faith-idea in Old Testament language, which all might not grasp”
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