Evaluating the Effectiveness of Extrabiblical Examples in Sermons
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Extrabiblical Examples in Sermons
The use of extrabiblical examples in sermons has been a topic of discussion among Christian traditions. Extrabiblical examples refer to illustrations or anecdotes drawn from outside the Bible, used to clarify or emphasize a biblical teaching. The effectiveness of such examples is evaluated based on their ability to convey the intended message, engage the audience, and remain faithful to the biblical text.
The Bible itself provides examples of using extrabiblical references. For instance, Jesus used everyday examples, such as farming and household chores, to illustrate spiritual truths [1]. The apostle Paul also employed extrabiblical examples, such as referencing Greek poets and philosophers, to communicate with his audience [2].
Christian preachers and theologians have used extrabiblical examples throughout history. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, emphasized the importance of using examples that are relevant to the audience's lives. He used everyday illustrations to make biblical teachings more accessible [7]. Similarly, Reformed theologian John Calvin used extrabiblical examples to clarify complex biblical concepts [8].
The effectiveness of extrabiblical examples depends on their relevance, accuracy, and contextualization. Preachers should ensure that the examples used are relevant to the biblical text and the audience's experiences. For instance, using historical or cultural references that are unfamiliar to the audience may confuse rather than clarify the message [3].
Some Christian traditions have emphasized the importance of using biblical examples exclusively. For example, the Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, focused on using biblical examples to illustrate spiritual truths [5]. In contrast, other traditions, such as the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, represented by Adam Clarke, have used a mix of biblical and extrabiblical examples [6].
The use of extrabiblical examples can be effective in engaging the audience and making the biblical message more relatable. However, preachers must be cautious not to compromise the biblical message or distract from its central teachings. As Calvin noted, the goal of preaching is to communicate the biblical message clearly, not to showcase human eloquence or rhetorical skills [4].
Sources
- 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”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, BOOK II, section 50: some of these laws, though generally excellent in their kind, be properly now found either in the copies of the Jewish Pentateuch, or in Philo, or in Josephus himself, before he became a Nazarene or Ebionite Christian; nor even all of them among the laws of catholic Christianity themselves. I desire, therefore, the learned reader to consider, whether some of these improvements or interpretations might not be peculiar to the Essens among the Jews, or rather to the Nazarenes or Ebionites among the Christians, though we have indeed but imperfe”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.5: more recently been subjected. Still his verbal criticisms are neither few nor unimportant, though he lays comparatively little stress upon them himself. 5 5 The reader is referred, for full information on this subject, to a small volume entitled, “The Merits of Calvin as an Interpreter of the Holy Scriptures,” by Professor Tholuck of Halle. To which are added, “Opinions and Testimonies of Foreign and British Divines and Scholars as to the Importance of the Writings of John Calvin.” With a Preface by the Revelation William Pringle. ”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 11:3: In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe, I. The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it is sufficient. 1. It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many at other times. 2. It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: v St. Chrysostom as a Homilist. By the American Editor of the Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. ———————————— These Homilies are often less complete in exposition than those on earlier books of the New Testament, and in literary excellence will not compare with the Homilies on the Statues, and many other discourses given at Antioch. But to the student of preaching, they are quite as instructive, if not really more so. Here at Constantinople the great preacher was burdened with administrative details, and hara”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”