Ensuring Theological Consistency in Analogies and Examples
The concept of Christian example, particularly the example of Christ, serves as a foundational principle for believers, guiding their conduct and spiritual development. This principle emphasizes that Christians are to model their lives after Christ and, in turn, provide a positive example for others.
The New Testament frequently presents Christ as the ultimate example for believers. His life is described as perfect [2], and conformity to His example is required in various aspects of Christian living. This includes holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 1:6), righteousness (1 John 2:6), purity (1 John 3:3), and love (John 13:34; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 3:16) [2]. Christ's humility (Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:5, 7), meekness (Matthew 11:29), and obedience (John 15:10) are also highlighted as qualities for imitation [2]. Furthermore, His self-denial (Matthew 16:24; Romans 15:3), ministry to others (Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15), and benevolence (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9) are presented as exemplary actions [2]. Believers are called to forgive injuries as Christ did (Colossians 3:13), overcome the world (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4), live distinctly from the world (John 17:16), and be guileless (1 Peter 2:21-22) [2]. The author of Hebrews challenges hearers to endure by following Jesus, who is presented as the supreme example of faithfulness, particularly in His suffering (Hebrews 12:1-4) [10].
Beyond Christ's direct example, the New Testament also encourages believers to follow the example of faithful individuals, particularly apostles and spiritual leaders, as they imitate Christ. Paul, for instance, urges believers to be "imitators together" of him, clarifying that this imitation is valid insofar as he himself imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17) [9]. John Gill, in his commentary on Philippians 3:15, suggests that believers should retain the knowledge they have attained and "walk by the same rule," which he interprets as either the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness or the Scriptures themselves as the standard for faith and practice [6]. Adam Clarke, commenting on Galatians 6:4, states that a Christian's only rule is the word of Christ and the only pattern for imitation is the example of Christ. He cautions against comparing oneself with others, as they are not the standard [4].
The concept of diligence is closely related to following Christ's example. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous areas where diligence is required, including seeking God (1 Chronicles 22:19; Hebrews 11:6), obeying Him (Deuteronomy 6:17; 11:13), hearkening to Him (Isaiah 55:2), striving for perfection (Philippians 3:13-14), cultivating Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5), guarding one's soul (Deuteronomy 4:9) and heart (Proverbs 4:23), engaging in labors of love (Hebrews 6:10-12), and pursuing every good work (1 Timothy 5:10) [1]. This diligence also extends to guarding against defilement (Hebrews 12:15), seeking to be spotless (2 Peter 3:14), making one's calling sure (2 Peter 1:10), and self-examination (Psalm 77:6) [1].
The early church in Ephesus is commended for its correct theology, perseverance, and faithfulness, having examined claims, disciplined evil people, discerned truth from falsehood, and patiently suffered for their faith in Christ (Revelation 2:2-3) [3]. This demonstrates the practical application of discerning and upholding sound doctrine, which is essential for maintaining theological consistency.
The church itself is often described using analogies that emphasize unity and diversity, such as the metaphor of the human body. This parallel, found in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12:4-5, illustrates how different members contribute to the whole, providing an effective picture of the church's structure and function [7]. This metaphor underscores the idea that while individuals strive to follow Christ's example, they do so within a communal context, contributing their unique gifts to the collective body.
The importance of adhering to established practices and teachings is also evident. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, in their commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16, note that Paul closes an argument by appealing to the universal custom of the churches, suggesting that if anyone is contentious, they should consider the practices of the apostles and the Jewish nation from whom the Gospel was received [8]. This highlights the role of tradition and communal practice in maintaining theological consistency.
Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, reflects on the state of the church, noting that when religion is less flourishing or the body of the pious is scattered, minds can sink. However, he finds encouragement in the biblical history of the church being built out of ruins, seeing it as an instance of God's grace that should raise believers to firm hope [5]. This perspective underscores the enduring nature of God's work in the church, even amidst challenges to its consistency and well-being.
The call to follow Christ's example and maintain theological consistency is not merely an individual endeavor but a communal one, rooted in biblical teaching and reinforced by the practices and reflections of Christian tradition.
Sources
- 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:”
- 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. --”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 2:2: 2:2-3 I know: This repeated refrain (2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) shows Christ’s total knowledge of his people, their activities, and their circumstances. • The Ephesian Christians had a correct theology marked by perseverance and faithfulness. They had examined various claims, exercised discipline on evil people, could tell what is true and what is false, and had patiently suffered for their faith in Christ.”
- 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 ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.7: its numbers, as if its dignity consisted in its multitude. If sometimes, in various places, Religion is less flourishing than could be wished, if the body of the pious is scattered, and the state of a well-regulated Church has gone to decay, not only do our minds sink, but entirely melt within us. On the contrary, while we see in this history of Moses, the building of the Church out of ruins, and the gathering of it out of broken fragments, and out of desolation itself, such an instance of the grace of God ought to raise us to firm”
- 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: ”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:4: 12:4-5 so it is with Christ’s body: The parallel between the human body and the church—the body of Christ—is also found in 1 Cor 12. This metaphor provides an effective picture of unity and diversity in the church (cp. Livy, History 2.32; Epictetus, Discourses 2.10.4–5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:16: A summary close to the argument by appeal to the universal custom of the churches. if any . . . seem--The Greek also means "thinks" (fit) (compare Mat 3:9). If any man chooses (still after all my arguments) to be contentious. If any be contentious and thinks himself right in being so. A reproof of the Corinthians' self-sufficiency and disputatiousness (Co1 1:20). we--apostles: or we of the Jewish nation, from whom ye have received the Gospel, and whose usages in all that is good ye ought to follow: Jewish women veiled themselves when in pub”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:17: followers--Greek, "imitators together." of me--as I am an imitator of Christ (Co1 11:1): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as BENGEL "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on Phi 2:22; Eph 5:1). mark--for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample--In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in BENGEL'S translation, "inasmuch as," or "since," instead of "as."”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”