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Ensuring Non-Biblical Examples Align with Biblical Values and Principles

The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of aligning one's life and actions with biblical values and principles, particularly through the example of Christ. This alignment is not merely an abstract concept but a practical guide for daily living, affecting everything from personal conduct to the preaching of the Gospel [1, 4].

The example of Christ is presented as the perfect standard for believers [4]. He demonstrated sincerity, diligence, and self-denial, qualities that Christians are called to emulate [1, 2, 3]. For instance, Christ's sincerity is noted in 1 Peter 2:22, and ministers are encouraged to follow this example in Titus 2:7 [1]. His diligence is seen in passages like Mark 1:35 and Luke 2:49, illustrating a commitment to seeking God and fulfilling His will [2]. Self-denial, a crucial aspect of discipleship, is exemplified by Christ in Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8, serving as a test of devotion and a necessary component for spiritual warfare and triumph [3].

Conformity to Christ's example is required in various aspects of Christian life, including holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), righteousness (1 John 2:6), purity (1 John 3:3), love (John 13:34), humility (Philippians 2:5, 7), meekness (Matthew 11:29), and obedience (John 15:10) [4]. Believers are also called to imitate Christ in ministering to others (Matthew 20:28), benevolence (Acts 20:35), forgiving injuries (Colossians 3:13), overcoming the world (John 16:33), and living a guileless life (1 Peter 2:21-22) [4].

The apostle Paul warns against being led astray by philosophies and empty deceptions that are based on human tradition and worldly principles rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8) [5]. This admonition underscores the need for careful discernment when evaluating non-biblical examples or teachings. The "tradition of men" and "elementary principles of the world" are contrasted with the standard of Christ, implying that any example or philosophy that does not align with Christ's teachings should be rejected [5].

John Gill, a Baptist commentator, emphasizes that the Scriptures are the ultimate "rule of faith and practice" and the "standard and test" against which all things are to be brought and tried [7]. This perspective suggests that non-biblical examples, while potentially useful for illustration or application, must always be filtered through the lens of biblical truth. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, similarly states that "the only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ" [6]. He cautions against comparing oneself with others, as they are not the standard; Christ alone is [6].

The concept of "sound doctrine" is central to this alignment. The Gospel itself is referred to as the "doctrine of Christ," with Christ being its author, recipient, preacher, and substance [12]. Believers are urged not to be "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9), which can refer to various rites, traditions, or human teachings that deviate from the unified truth of Scripture [9]. The aim is to confirm disciples in the doctrines of the Gospel and fortify them against contradictions and blasphemies [11].

The practical outworking of this principle is seen in how Christians are to conduct themselves. For instance, servants are exhorted to show "all good" in their actions, not merely in appearance, so that they may "adorn the doctrine of our Saviour God" [13]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, observed that "The heathen do not judge of the Christian's doctrines from the doctrine, but from his actions and life" [13]. This highlights that non-biblical observers often evaluate Christianity based on the lives of its adherents, making the alignment of actions with biblical values crucial for the credibility of the faith.

The New Covenant, unlike the Old, provides an inward impulse through the Spirit to obey God's commands, producing love because of the forgiveness of sins [8]. This internal transformation enables believers to live out biblical principles, making it possible to align their lives with Christ's example. The commandments of God are not beyond human power to obey, as truth and duty are brought near through the apostolic message [10]. This suggests that the principles for evaluating non-biblical examples are accessible and actionable for believers.

Sources

  1. 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; ”
  2. 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:”
  3. 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 ”
  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. Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (NASB) — See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
  6. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
  7. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:15: Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,.... Whatever degree of knowledge of Christ, and the truths of his Gospel, is attained to, let it be retained, and not departed from: let us walk by the same rule; either the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness in particular, which is a rule of judgment concerning other things; for so far as they agree or disagree with this, they are to be received or rejected; or the Scriptures of truth, which are the rule of faith and practice, and the standard and test, to which all are to be brought and tried: ”
  8. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:9: Not according to, &c.--very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant, which only "worked wrath" (Rom 4:15) through man's "not regarding" it. The new covenant enables us to obey by the Spirit's inward impulse producing love because of the forgiveness of our sins. made with--rather as Greek, "made to": the Israelites being only recipients, not coagents [ALFORD] with God. I took them by the hand--as a father takes his child by the hand to support and guide his steps. "There are three periods: (1) that of the promise; (2) that of the pedag”
  9. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
  10. 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”
  11. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples,.... Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as sufficient for justification, both being contrary to the nature and tendency of the ministry of the word; the Gospel being a doctrine according to godliness, and a revelation of the righteousness of Christ; but the disciples and followers of Jesus, whom they had already made in those places, these they confirmed in the doctrines of the Gospel, and fortified them against the contradictions and blasphemies of the Jews, and”
  12. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
  13. Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:10: Not purloining--Greek, "Not appropriating" what does not belong to one. It means "keeping back" dishonestly or deceitfully (Act 5:2-3). showing--manifesting in acts. all--all possible. good--really good; not so in mere appearance (Eph 6:5-6; Col 3:22-24). "The heathen do not judge of the Christian's doctrines from the doctrine, but from his actions and life" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Men will write, fight, and even die for their religion; but how few live for it! Translate, "That they may adorn the doctrine of our Saviour God," that is, God the Father, the or”
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