Examples of Non-Biblical Analogies Used in Unbiblical Theology
Unbiblical theology often employs analogies that are not derived from Scripture, leading to doctrines that deviate from biblical truth. These non-biblical analogies can obscure or misrepresent divine revelation, sometimes by drawing on human philosophy or natural observations rather than God's self-disclosure [3, 6].
One example of a non-biblical analogy used in unbiblical theology is the reliance on "precepts of men" rather than the precepts of God. This occurs when human-made rules or philosophical constructs are elevated to the level of divine commands, replacing the heartfelt worship and obedience God requires [4]. The prophet Isaiah condemned those whose worship was external and rule-bound, rather than genuinely from the heart, a sentiment echoed by Christ [4]. Such human philosophies can be seen as "artificial self-deceiving sophisms" that fail to provide true covering, much like the fig leaves Adam and Eve used to hide their shame, in contrast to the "coats of skins" provided by God [3].
Another instance involves drawing analogies from the natural world or common experience in ways that undermine biblical teaching. For example, while the resurrection of the body is a biblical doctrine, its presence in various ancient religions, despite its apparent improbability and lack of analogy in nature, highlights how human reasoning might struggle with such a concept [7]. The natural world shows generations succeeding one another, but individuals do not reappear, making the resurrection a doctrine that stands against the "analogy of nature" rather than being derived from it [7]. This suggests that attempts to explain or justify biblical truths solely through natural analogies can lead to difficulties if those analogies do not align with the unique claims of Scripture.
Furthermore, the concept of "unequally yoked" in 2 Corinthians 6:14 illustrates how biblical analogies, when misapplied or extended beyond their intended scope, can lead to unbiblical restrictions or understandings. The biblical injunction against being "unequally yoked" draws an image from the Mosaic Law forbidding the yoking of diverse kinds of cattle or the intermarriage with heathen peoples [2]. This analogy emphasizes the fundamental heterogeneity between believers and unbelievers, warning against too close an intercourse in spiritual and intimate relationships [2]. However, if this analogy is stretched to justify broad social or economic separations not explicitly taught in Scripture, it moves into an unbiblical application.
The apostle Paul frequently used analogies, such as the human body to describe the church, to explain complex spiritual truths [5]. However, the effectiveness of such analogies depends on their biblical grounding and proper application. When "strange doctrines" or "teachings" are introduced that differ from the singular faith in Jesus Christ, they are often carried in by non-biblical analogies or human traditions [1]. These can include ascetic practices or dietary laws not established by grace but by human observances, which Paul also addressed [1].
Sources
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:14: Be not--Greek, "Become not." unequally yoked--"yoked with one alien in spirit." The image is from the symbolical precept of the law (Lev 19:19), "Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind"; or the precept (Deu 22:10), "Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together." Compare Deu 7:3, forbidding marriages with the heathen; also Co1 7:39. The believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. Too close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also is included (Co2 6:16; Co1 8:10; Co1 10:14). fellowship--literally, "”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 59:6: not . . . garments--like the "fig leaves" wherewith Adam and Eve vainly tried to cover their shame, as contrasted with "the coats of skins" which the Lord God made to clothe them with (Isa 64:6; Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27; Phi 3:9). The artificial self-deceiving sophisms of human philosophy (Ti1 6:5; Ti2 2:16, Ti2 2:23).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 29:13: precept of men--instead of the precepts of God, given by His prophets; also worship external, and by rule, not heartfelt as God requires (Joh 4:24). Compare Christ's quotation of this verse from the Septuagint.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:14: Translate, "For the body also." The analogy of the body, not consisting exclusively of one, but of many members, illustrates the mutual dependence of the various members in the one body, the Church. The well-known fable of the belly and the other members, spoken by Menenius Agrippa, to the seceding commons [LIVY, 2.32], was probably before Paul's mind, stored as it was with classical literature.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 42: of the seed of Abraham, and of the house of David; that He was to be born of a virgin, to be a man of sorrows; that He was crucified and buried; that He rose again the third day; that He ascended to heaven; that He is to come again without sin to salvation, although truths on which our salvation depends, are not intuitive truths; they are not truths which any exaltation of the religious consciousness would enable any man to discover of himself. 4. According to this theory the Bible has no normal authority as a rule of faith. It contains n”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 82: § 2. History of the Doctrine. The doctrine of the resurrection of the body is not exclusively a doctrine of the Bible. It is found, in different forms, in many of the ancient religions of the world. This is the more remarkable as it is in itself so improbable, and so much out of the analogy of nature. One generation of plants and animals succeeds another in uninterrupted succession; but the same individuals never reappear. The case is the more remarkable when we consider the difficulties with which the doctrine is beset; difficulties so g”