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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cultural Examples in Preaching

The effectiveness of cultural examples in preaching can be evaluated by considering their purpose: to illustrate biblical truths and encourage their application in the lives of believers. Preaching aims to "rightly divide the word of truth" and provide "portions as are suited to their capacities and states" [8]. Cultural examples, when used appropriately, can serve this goal by making abstract biblical principles more relatable and understandable.

One primary function of examples in preaching is to demonstrate how biblical virtues and commands are lived out. The Bible itself provides numerous examples of individuals who embodied specific characteristics. For instance, Melchizedek, Abraham, Lot, and others are cited as exemplars of hospitality [2]. Similarly, Christ is presented as the ultimate example of meekness, sincerity, early rising, and diligence [1, 3, 4, 5]. Ministers are encouraged to follow Christ's example and urge their congregations to do the same [1, 3, 5]. When preachers draw upon cultural examples, they are, in a sense, extending this biblical pattern of illustrating virtues through lived experience.

However, the use of examples, whether biblical or cultural, must be carefully considered. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14, emphasizes that spiritual gifts, including prophecy (which encompasses preaching), should be used to build up the church [7]. This means that any example used should contribute to the edification of the listeners. The content of preaching, including its examples, should be "acceptable unto the Lord" [11].

A key principle for evaluating any teaching, including the examples used in preaching, is to "prove all things" and "hold fast that which is good" [10, 6]. This means that cultural examples should be tested against the "word of God, the test and standard of truth" [10]. Early Christian teaching suggested that one should gauge the character of those who speak about spiritual things, noting that "not everyone who speaks about spiritual things is a prophet, but only if the person’s conduct is like the Lord" [6]. This principle can be extended to the examples themselves: they should align with the character and teachings of Christ.

The danger of using cultural examples lies in the potential for them to become the standard rather than Christ. John Gill, commenting on Galatians 6:4, states that "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" [9]. While cultural examples can illustrate a point, they should never replace Christ as the ultimate model for Christian conduct. The purpose of such examples is to illuminate the biblical text, not to overshadow it or introduce extraneous standards.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of cultural examples can vary depending on the audience. What resonates with one cultural group may not resonate with another. The goal of preaching is to communicate the Gospel clearly and effectively, ensuring that the message is understood and applied [7]. Therefore, preachers must exercise discernment in selecting examples that are relevant and comprehensible to their specific congregation, always ensuring that these examples faithfully reflect and reinforce biblical truth rather than distorting it or drawing attention away from the core message.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
  3. 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; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  5. 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:”
  6. 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:20: 5:20-21 Prophecy, meant to build up the church (1 Cor 14:1-4), should not be rejected. Instead, the Thessalonians should test the prophecies (1 Cor 12:10; 14:29) to discern their origin, to check their agreement with the teaching of the apostles (2 Thes 2:2; 1 Jn 4:1-3), and to gauge the character of those who utter them (Matt 7:15-20). Early Christian teaching said, “Not everyone who speaks about spiritual things is a prophet, but only if the person’s conduct is like the Lord” (Didache 11:8). They should hold on to what is good—namely, prophecies that ha”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for ”
  8. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”
  9. 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 ”
  10. 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5:19: Prove all things,.... That are said by the prophets, all the doctrines which they deliver; hear them, though they have not the gift of tongues, and all desirable advantages; do not reject them on that account, and refuse to hear them, for so, many useful men may be laid aside, and the Spirit of God in them be quenched; try their gifts, and attend to their doctrines, yet do not implicitly believe everything they say, but examine them according to the word of God the test and standard of truth; search the Scriptures, whether the things they say are true or not.”
  11. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
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