Evaluating Extrabiblical Examples for Biblical Accuracy
Evaluating extrabiblical examples for biblical accuracy involves comparing external information against the scriptural record to determine its consistency and truthfulness. This process is crucial for understanding biblical narratives, historical contexts, and theological concepts.
One common method for evaluating extrabiblical information is through cross-referencing biblical passages. For instance, the concept of God's work being eternal and unchangeable, as stated in Ecclesiastes 3:14, finds corroboration in Psalm 33:11, which speaks of the Lord's counsel standing forever [3]. Similarly, the idea of God preparing good works for believers in Ephesians 2:10 can be linked to Psalm 119:3, which describes those who walk in God's ways [1], and Psalm 81:13, which expresses a desire for Israel to walk in God's ways [2]. These cross-references help to establish a consistent biblical understanding of a concept, against which extrabiblical claims can be measured.
Biblical commentaries often employ cross-referencing to illuminate scriptural meaning and, by extension, to provide a framework for evaluating external claims. For example, the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Jeremiah 31:34 connects the promise of God forgiving iniquity and remembering it no more to other passages like Jeremiah 33:8 and Micah 7:18, noting its application to both Israel and all believers [8]. This demonstrates how internal biblical consistency is used to interpret and affirm theological truths.
When considering historical or cultural details, biblical texts themselves provide a rich source of information. For instance, Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various ancient measures, such as the cubit, span, and ephah, along with their biblical references [7]. This kind of detailed information allows for the assessment of extrabiblical accounts that might mention similar units of measure, ensuring they align with what the Bible describes.
The Bible also uses imagery and metaphor that can be compared with extrabiblical usage. Adultery, for example, is a biblical image for serving other gods, as seen in Exodus 34:12-16 and Hosea 2 [10]. Drunkenness often depicts nations indulging in wanton behavior, as illustrated in Jeremiah 25:27 and Ezekiel 23:33 [10]. Understanding these established biblical metaphors is essential when evaluating extrabiblical texts that might use similar imagery, to see if their meaning aligns with the biblical understanding.
The historical verification of biblical prophecies or statements can also be a point of comparison. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on John 5:43 notes the historical verification of Jesus' statement about others coming in their own name, citing that sixty-four false Christs have been reckoned since Jesus' time, deceiving the Jews [9]. This illustrates how historical events, though extrabiblical, can be used to confirm the accuracy of biblical predictions.
However, it is important to recognize that not all extrabiblical information is necessarily contradictory. Some extrabiblical sources might offer supplementary details that do not conflict with biblical accounts but rather enrich understanding. For example, the existence of specific proper names in biblical texts, such as those cataloged by STEPBible, provides a factual basis against which any extrabiblical mention of these names can be checked for consistency [4, 5, 6].
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Eph.2.10 → Ps.119.3 (confidence: 14 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Eph.2.10 → Ps.81.13 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Eccl.3.14 → Ps.33.11 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: To COPY data to — https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Iap4E8q-K-CeTpsc1M9a2SdU8zWwKUGY7jf6QzM3Phc/edit#gid=0”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: Example: — >”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: The exhaustive lists of refs were created from these texts. For 2nd + 3rd occurrences of a name in the same verse, reference appended with "a", "b" etc. - see e.g. [email protected] — >”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Measures — Unjust, an abomination to God -- Pr 20:10. The Jews not to be unjust in -- Le 19:35; De 25:14,15. The Jews often used unjust -- Mic 6:10. Of liquids and solids Log. -- Le 14:10,15. Cab. -- 2Ki 6:25. Omer or tenth-deal (the tenth of an ephah). -- Ex 16:36; Le 5:11; 14:10. Hin. -- Ex 29:40. Bath or ephah. -- Isa 5:10; Eze 45:11. Homer or Cor. -- Isa 5:10; Eze 45:14. Firkin. -- Joh 2:6. Of length Handbreadth. -- Ex 25:25; Ps 39:5. Span. -- Ex 28:16; 1Sa 17:4. Cubit. -- Ge 6:15,16; De 3:11. Fathom. -- Ac 27:28. Furlong. -- Lu 24:13; Joh 11:13. Mile. -- Mt 5:41”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 31:34: True, specially of Israel (Isa 54:13); secondarily, true of believers (Joh 6:45; Co1 2:10; Jo1 2:20). forgive . . . iniquity . . . remember . . . no more-- (Jer 33:8; Jer 50:20; Mic 7:18); applying peculiarly to Israel (Rom 11:27). Secondarily, all believers (Act 10:43).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:43: if another shall come, &c.--How strikingly has this been verified in the history of the Jews! "From the time of the true Christ to our time, sixty-four false Christs have been reckoned by whom they have been deceived" [BENGEL].”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 17:2: 17:2 Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16; Judg 2:17; Hos 2). • drunk by . . . her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3, 9; Jer 25:27; 51:7; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:33).”