Maintaining a Biblical Worldview with the Doctrine of Examples
Maintaining a Biblical Worldview with the Doctrine of Examples
The doctrine of examples is rooted in the biblical emphasis on adhering to sound teaching and avoiding false or misleading doctrines. The author of Hebrews exhorts believers to "leave the elementary teachings of Christ and go on to maturity" (Hebrews 6:1 [1]), underscoring the importance of progressing in understanding and applying biblical doctrine.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphasizes the importance of continuing in His word, stating that those who do so are His true disciples (John 8:31). Adam Clarke interprets this as receiving, retaining, and walking in the truth, highlighting the necessity of not only initial acceptance but ongoing adherence to Christ's teachings [2]. This continuity is crucial for maintaining a biblical worldview.
The doctrine of examples is further reinforced by the apostle Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to "walk by the same rule" and to "hold to" what they have already attained (Philippians 3:15-16 [3]). John Gill's commentary on this passage emphasizes the importance of retaining the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness and adhering to the Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice [3]. This adherence to sound doctrine is a recurring theme in biblical interpretation, with Gill also cautioning against being "carried away by all kinds of strange teachings" in his commentary on Hebrews 13:9 [4].
The biblical emphasis on sound doctrine is not limited to the New Testament. In Proverbs, the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, there is an emphasis on receiving and retaining good doctrine. John Gill notes that the doctrine given in Proverbs is "good doctrine" that serves to exalt Christ and promote the welfare of immortal souls (Proverbs 4:2 [5]). Moreover, the "words or doctrines of Christ" are described as being "life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh" (Proverbs 4:22 [6]), highlighting their significance for spiritual vitality.
The challenge of maintaining a biblical worldview in the face of diverse and often conflicting teachings is a pressing one. As Adam Clarke observes, understanding even "earthly things" can be a challenge for those who are not spiritually attuned, let alone the more profound "heavenly things" (John 3:12 [7]). The pursuit of wisdom, as exemplified by David in the Psalms, is facilitated by God's guidance and the study of His commandments and testimonies (Psalms 119:98 [8]). Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse underscores the role of divine illumination in acquiring true wisdom.
The doctrine of examples, therefore, is not merely about adhering to a set of abstract principles but is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and the pursuit of a life guided by Scripture. It involves a commitment to understanding and applying the teachings of Christ and the apostles, as well as a recognition of the importance of sound doctrine for spiritual health and maturity. As such, it remains a vital component of maintaining a biblical worldview.
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Hebrews 6:1 — Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 8:31: If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples of Christ.”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:15: Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,.... Whatever degree of knowledge of Christ, and the truths of his Gospel, is attained to, let it be retained, and not departed from: let us walk by the same rule; either the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness in particular, which is a rule of judgment concerning other things; for so far as they agree or disagree with this, they are to be received or rejected; or the Scriptures of truth, which are the rule of faith and practice, and the standard and test, to which all are to be brought and tried: ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 4:2: For I give you good doctrine,.... Whose author, matter, use, and tendency, are good, and therefore should be received; so the Gospel is called, Ti1 4:6; and no other is here meant: it is the doctrine concerning Wisdom or Christ, as the following verses show; which serves to exalt him, and makes for the good and welfare of immortal souls; and such is the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ and his apostles, even all the doctrines and truths of the Gospel; forsake you not my law; or "doctrine" (o); not the law given on Mount Sinai, as Gersom interprets it; but the ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 4:22: For they are life unto those that find them,.... The words or doctrines of Christ, whose type Solomon was, are to be found in the field of the Scriptures, by diligent searching for them; and being found, they are the means of spiritual life, and of maintaining it, and of showing the way, and bringing unto eternal life; see Joh 6:63; and health to all their flesh; the whole man, soul and body, as they are the means of preserving the body from many diseases, which intemperance, lust, and luxury, lead unto, and are curbed by these; so of healing the various diseases ”
- 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 ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:98: We have here an account of David's learning, not that of the Egyptians, but of the Israelites indeed. I. The good method by which he got it. In his youth he minded business in the country as a shepherd; from his youth he minded business in the court and camp. Which way then could he get any great stock of learning? He tells us here how he came by it; he had it from God as the author: Thou hast made me wise. All true wisdom is from God. He had it by the word of God as the means, by his commandments and his testimonies. These are able to make us wise to salvation ”