Evaluating Extrabiblical Examples Through the Lens of Scripture
The Bible is considered by Christians to be the inspired Word of God, given by the Holy Spirit, and sanctioned by Christ himself [1]. It serves as the ultimate authority for faith and practice, providing guidance and truth [1, 6]. When encountering examples or teachings outside of the biblical text, Christians are called to evaluate them through the lens of Scripture.
The concept of "extrabiblical examples" can encompass a wide range of phenomena, including historical accounts not recorded in the Bible, cultural practices, philosophical ideas, or even personal experiences. The Bible itself contains numerous examples of individuals and communities whose actions serve as either positive models to emulate or negative warnings to avoid [5]. For instance, Christ's life is presented as an example for believers to follow (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15), as is the conduct of faithful pastors for their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12) [5]. Conversely, the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as a warning against disobedience (Heb. 4:11) [5].
The Scriptures are described as "wonderful" and are understood to testify of God's mind and will, containing accounts of creation, providence, and miracles [6]. They are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, intended for the accurate preservation and propagation of truth [4]. This understanding underscores the Bible's foundational role in evaluating all other claims or examples.
One key principle in evaluating extrabiblical examples is the Bible's self-attestation as the Word of God [1]. Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 state that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." This implies that anything outside of Scripture must be measured against its divine standard. The Apostle Paul, for example, appealed to the judgment of believers to discern truth, emphasizing personal responsibility in evaluating arguments [9].
The Bible also warns against sources of knowledge that contradict divine revelation. For instance, the prophet Daniel describes God as the one "in whose hand is your breath and whose are all your ways, you have not honored" (Daniel 5:23). This highlights the danger of human pride and self-reliance that disregards God's authority [2]. Similarly, the temptation in Genesis 3:5, "you will be like God, knowing good and evil," illustrates the human desire to define truth apart from God's revealed will [3].
While the Bible is comprehensive in its scope for faith and life, it does not claim to record every single event or teaching. John 21:25 states, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" [7]. This verse acknowledges that Christ performed many more miracles and actions than are recorded in the Gospels, yet the written accounts are sufficient for their intended purpose. The existence of unrecorded events does not diminish the authority or sufficiency of what is recorded.
Therefore, when encountering extrabiblical examples, the approach is not to dismiss them outright but to subject them to rigorous biblical scrutiny. If an extrabiblical example aligns with biblical principles, it can be affirmed. If it contradicts biblical teaching, it must be rejected. The Scriptures are the ultimate arbiter, providing the framework through which all other examples and claims are to be understood and judged [8]. This approach upholds the Bible's unique status as the inspired and authoritative Word of God [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Daniel 5:23 cross-references: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 14:19, Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:1, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, 2 Kings 14:10, Job 12:10, Job 31:4, Job 34:14, Psalms 104:29, Psalms 115:4, Psalms 115:16, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 139:3, Psalms 146:4, Proverbs 20:24, Isaiah 2:12, Isaiah 33:10, Isaiah 37:19, Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:23, Jeremiah 50:28, Jeremiah 50:29, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:5, Ezekiel 28:17, Ezekiel 31:10, Daniel 4:37, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 8:11, Daniel 11:12, Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 2:18, Acts 17:25, Acts 17:28, Romans 1:21, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Timoth”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 3:5 cross-references: Genesis 2:9, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:7, Genesis 3:10, Genesis 3:22, Exodus 5:2, Exodus 20:7, Judges 3:2, 1 Kings 22:6, 2 Chronicles 32:15, Psalms 12:4, Isaiah 14:14, Jeremiah 14:13, Jeremiah 28:2, Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:22, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:9, Ezekiel 29:3, Daniel 4:30, Daniel 6:7, Matthew 6:23, Acts 12:22, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13:4, Revelation 13:14”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 21:25: And there are also many other things which Jesus did,.... Which refer not to his doctrines and discourses, his sermons and prayers, and the conversation he had with his disciples, and others, on different accounts; but to the signs, and wonders, and miraculous operations, which were done by him, that are neither recorded in this, nor in any of the evangelists: the which, if they should be written everyone; with all the particular circumstances relating to them: I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. The Arabic versi”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:12: For--Such diligent striving (Heb 4:11) is incumbent on us FOR we have to do with a God whose "word" whereby we shall be judged, is heart-searching, and whose eyes are all-seeing (Heb 4:13). The qualities here attributed to the word of God, and the whole context, show that it is regarded in its JUDICIAL power, whereby it doomed the disobedient Israelites to exclusion from Canaan, and shall exclude unbelieving so-called Christians from the heavenly rest. The written Word of God is not the prominent thought here, though the passage is often quoted as if ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”