Evaluating Non-Biblical Examples in Biblical Teaching and Preaching

Biblical teaching and preaching frequently employ examples to illustrate spiritual truths, drawing from both scriptural narratives and, at times, non-biblical sources. The use of examples is a recognized method for conveying complex ideas, as seen in the New Testament's application of the Greek term parabole (parable), which can refer to comparisons, similitudes, or illustrations ^[7]. Jesus himself used parables to teach "earthly things" to help people understand "heavenly things" ^[14].

The Bible provides numerous instances where examples are presented for instruction, encouragement, or warning. Christ is consistently presented as the ultimate example for believers in various aspects of life. For instance, he is an example of self-denial (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:38; Philippians 2:6-8) ^[1], sincerity (1 Peter 2:22) ^[2], and intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; John 17:9-24) ^[8]. Believers are exhorted to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15) ^[5]. Similarly, pastors are to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) ^[5]. The experiences of the Jews serve as a warning (Hebrews 4:11), and the prophets are examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) ^[5].

When considering non-biblical examples in teaching and preaching, the primary concern is ensuring that such illustrations do not contradict or overshadow the core doctrines of the faith. The Apostle Paul warned against preaching "another Jesus," a "different spirit," or a "different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4) ^{[3, 4]}. This concern is echoed in warnings against teaching "other doctrine" that does not align with "the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness" (1 Timothy 6:3) ^[6]. John Gill, commenting on 1 Timothy 6:3, interprets "another doctrine" as one that deviates from the teachings of the Bible and Christ ^[9]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:4 emphasizes that there can be no "new Gospel," and therefore, false teachers who attempt to supersede the true message should not be tolerated ^[12].

The use of non-biblical examples can be a valuable pedagogical tool, provided they are carefully chosen and applied. The goal of such examples should be to illuminate biblical truth, not to replace it or introduce foreign concepts. For instance, while the Bible itself does not record every single act or teaching of Jesus, stating that "there are also many other things which Jesus did" (John 21:25), and that "the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" if all were recorded ^[15], this does not open the door to inventing new doctrines or narratives about Christ. Instead, it highlights the inexhaustible nature of his ministry within the framework of what has been revealed.

Theological traditions emphasize the centrality of biblical teaching. For example, the Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary, stresses that the new covenant is "very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant," and that it enables obedience through "the Spirit's inward impulse producing love because of the forgiveness of our sins" ^[11]. This highlights the unique and transformative power of the biblical message, which non-biblical examples should serve to underscore, not dilute.

Furthermore, the desire to spread religious doctrines is seen as an inherent aspect of faith, where individuals are not content with their own knowledge but wish to draw others to it ^[13]. This evangelistic impulse means that teachers and preachers will naturally seek effective ways to communicate the gospel. However, this pursuit of effective communication must always be grounded in the integrity of the message itself. The preaching of the gospel should be characterized by sincerity (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) ^[2], and not be presented with "fleshly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 1:12) ^[2].

The distinction between illustrating a biblical truth and introducing "another doctrine" is crucial. Non-biblical examples can be effective when they function as parables or analogies, drawing parallels between common human experiences or cultural narratives and the spiritual realities taught in Scripture. However, they become problematic if they are presented as authoritative sources of truth alongside or above the Bible, or if they subtly introduce ideas that are inconsistent with biblical theology. The focus must remain on the "sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ" ^[6].

The role of teaching within the Christian community is significant, yet it is also understood that in the future, there will be a time when the need for teaching "every man his neighbour" will diminish, not because knowledge will cease, but because it will be universally known ^[10]. Until that time, the responsibility of teachers and preachers is to faithfully transmit biblical truth, using all appropriate means, including examples, while carefully guarding against any deviation from the revealed word.

Sources

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 ”
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 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 11:4 (NASB) — For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”
II Corinthians “II Corinthians 11:4 (DRC) — For if he that cometh preacheth another Christ, whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, whom you have not received; or another gospel, which you have not received: you might well bear with him.”
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).”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (LEB) — If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 31:34: And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,.... Which is not to be understood of the outward ministry of the word; in heaven indeed there will be no need of it, nor in the New Jerusalem state; but in every period of time before it. In the first times of the Gospel, persons were appointed and qualified by Christ to be pastors and teachers; and in the latter day men shall run to and fro, and increase knowledge; besides, the saints in the present state stand in need of teaching; since they know but in part, and there is room for a ”
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”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:4: if, &c.--which in fact is impossible. However, if it were possible, ye might then bear with them (see on Co2 11:1). But there can be no new Gospel; there is but the one which I first preached; therefore it ought not to be "borne" by you, that the false teachers should attempt to supersede me. he that cometh--the high-sounding title assumed by the false teachers, who arrogated Christ's own peculiar title (Greek, Mat 11:3, and Heb 10:37), "He that is coming." Perhaps he was leader of the party which assumed peculiarly to be "Christ's" (Co2 10:7;”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 8.8: an ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion, that every one not satisfied with his own calling and his personal knowledge will desire to draw others along with him. And indeed nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than that deadness which would lead a man to disregard his brethren, and to keep the light of knowledge choked up within his own breast. The greater the eminence above others which any man has received from his calling so much the more diligently ought he to labor to enlighten others. This points out to”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 3:12: If I have told you earthly things - If, after I have illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and after all you believe not; how can you believe, should I tell you of heavenly things, in such language as angels use, where earthly images and illustrations can have no place? Or, if you, a teacher in Israel, do not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, or custom of the kingdom established over the Jewish nation, as being born of baptism, practised every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will you understand such ”
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”

Ask Your Own Question