Foundational Biblical Truths for Non-Biblical Examples
The concept of "foundational truths" in a biblical context refers to core principles or doctrines upon which Christian faith and understanding are built. These truths are often likened to the literal foundations of a building, providing stability and support [1]. The Bible itself uses the imagery of a foundation to describe various elements, from physical structures like houses and temples to metaphorical underpinnings of the earth and even kingdoms [1].
In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is frequently identified as the ultimate foundation. The apostle Paul writes, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11) [6]. This statement emphasizes that any attempt to build faith or doctrine on principles other than Christ will be futile [6]. This foundation is not something human beings establish but is "laid by Jehovah the Father, both in his eternal counsels and covenant" [6].
Beyond Christ as the singular foundation, other biblical truths serve as foundational elements for understanding God's nature, humanity, and salvation. One such truth is the creation of the world by God. The author of Hebrews states, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11:3). This passage indicates that while the natural world can confirm this truth, the understanding of creation ultimately comes through revelation and faith, not solely through observation [4]. The term "worlds" in this context can be understood as "ages," encompassing all that exists in time [4].
Another foundational truth concerns the nature of God's love and the response it demands from believers. The concept of loving God "in sincerity" or "in incorruption" suggests a love that is not fleeting or earthly but spiritual and eternal [2]. This contrasts with worldly things that "perish with the using" and emphasizes a pure, holy love untainted by sin [2]. This incorruptible love is a core aspect of Christian devotion.
The Bible also presents foundational truths regarding human nature and the importance of actively living out one's faith. James 1:23-24 describes a person who hears the word but does not act on it as someone who looks at their "natural face" in a mirror and then immediately forgets what they saw [7]. The "natural face" here refers to the countenance one is born with, and the analogy suggests that God's Word faithfully reflects humanity's moral visage [7]. True disciples are those who learn in order to do, not merely to know or teach [7]. This highlights the foundational truth that faith is not merely intellectual assent but requires active obedience and transformation.
Furthermore, the concept of truth itself is foundational. Proverbs 6:24 suggests that appreciating truth can protect individuals from being swayed by "lying flattery" [3]. This implies that a firm grasp of truth provides discernment and stability against deception.
The New Testament also warns against "divers" and "strange doctrines" that can carry believers away from the core truths of the faith [5]. These are described as teachings foreign to the truth of Jesus Christ, contrasting with the one faith taught by those in leadership [5]. This underscores the importance of adhering to established, grace-based doctrines rather than being swayed by novel or ascetic practices, such as those concerning dietary laws [5]. The stability of faith is "established with grace," not with external observances [5].
The resurrection of the body is another foundational truth, illustrated by Paul through the analogy of celestial bodies. Just as the sun, moon, and stars possess different glories yet are all sources of light, so too will resurrection bodies differ from present bodies while still remaining bodies [8]. This analogy addresses the mystery of how physical bodies can be transformed into incorruptible ones, affirming the continuity and yet radical transformation of the resurrected state [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 6:24: Contrast the malediction on all who love Him not (Co1 16:22). in sincerity--Greek, "in incorruption," that is, not as English Version, but "with an immortal (constant) love" [WAHL]. Compare "that which is not corruptible" (Pe1 3:4). Not a fleeting, earthly love, but a spiritual and eternal one [ALFORD]. Contrast Col 2:22, worldly things "which perish with the using." Compare Co1 9:25, "corruptible . . . incorruptible crown." "Purely," "holily" [ESTIUS], without the corruption of sin (See on Co1 3:17; Pe2 1:4; Jde 1:10). Where the Lord Jesus has a ”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 6:24: A specimen of its benefit. By appreciating truth, men are not affected by lying flattery.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:3: we understand--We perceive with our spiritual intelligence the fact of the world's creation by God, though we see neither Him nor the act of creation as described in Gen. 1:1-31. The natural world could not, without revelation, teach us this truth, though it confirms the truth when apprehended by faith (Rom 1:20). Adam is passed over in silence here as to his faith, perhaps as being the first who fell and brought sin on us all; though it does not follow that he did not repent and believe the promise. worlds--literally, "ages"; all that exists in tim”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay,.... Men may attempt to lay other foundations than Christ, and build upon them, but to no purpose; they will be of no avail; all besides him are sandy foundations; such as fleshly privileges, a carnal descent, a religious education, an external profession of religion, a man's own righteousness, and the absolute mercy of God; but men ought to lay no other, nor can they, that will be of any advantage to themselves or others: than that which is laid; by Jehovah the Father, both in his eternal counsels and covenant, when he set”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 1:23: For--the logical self-deceit (Jam 1:22) illustrated. not a doer--more literally, "a notdoer" [ALFORD]. The true disciple, say the rabbis, learns in order that he may do, not in order that he may merely know or teach. his natural face--literally, "the countenance of his birth": the face he was born with. As a man may behold his natural face in a mirror, so the hearer may perceive his moral visage in God's Word. This faithful portraiture of man's soul in Scripture, is the strongest proof of the truth of the latter. In it, too, we see mirrored God's gl”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:41: one glory of . . . sun . . . another . . . of . . . moon--The analogy is not to prove different degrees of glory among the blessed (whether this may be, or not, indirectly hinted at), but this: As the various fountains of light, which is so similar in its aspect and properties, differ (the sun from the moon, and the moon from the stars; and even one star from another star, though all seem so much alike); so there is nothing unreasonable in the doctrine that our present bodies differ from our resurrection bodies, though still continuing bodies. ”