Refining Analogies and Examples with Scripture in Theology
Analogies and examples serve as crucial tools in theological discourse, helping to illuminate complex doctrines and ethical principles. Scripture itself frequently employs such devices, and theological traditions have long recognized their value in explaining divine truths.
One prominent use of examples in Scripture is to present Christ as the ultimate model for believers. Jesus' life and actions provide a pattern for diligence, as seen in his prayer life (Mark 1:35; Luke 19:41-42) and his commitment to his Father's work (Luke 2:49) [1, 3]. His example extends to suffering (1 Peter 2:21) and love (John 13:15) [2]. Similarly, pastors are exhorted to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 1 Peter 5:3), and the perseverance of prophets serves as an example for enduring affliction (James 5:10) [2]. The experiences of the Jews also function as a warning example (Hebrews 4:11) [2].
Analogies are also vital for understanding theological concepts. The apostle Paul, for instance, uses the analogy of the human body to describe the church, emphasizing both unity and diversity within the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12) [8]. This metaphor, also found in classical literature, effectively illustrates the interconnectedness of believers. The concept of "parable" itself, derived from the Greek parabole, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude used to illustrate one subject by another [4]. This highlights the inherent analogical nature of much biblical teaching.
Theological interpretation often involves "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [7]. This means expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit, and conversely, illustrating Gospel mysteries by comparing them with Old Testament types [7]. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, engaged in such comparative analysis, noting similarities in Greek construction between different New Testament writers [6].
Theologians like John Calvin also recognized the importance of analogies, even while cautioning against over-reliance on human constructs. Calvin acknowledged that there is "something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit," and that distinctions in the soul's faculties could be used analogically, though he preferred a simpler, more scripturally-rooted division [5]. He emphasized that a definition of the image of God should rest on a firmer basis than mere subtleties [5].
Sources
- 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:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.31: and fourteenth books on the Trinity, also the eleventh book of the “City of God.” I acknowledge, indeed, that there is something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit: and I have no difficulty in admitting the above distinction of the faculties of the soul: although the simpler division into two parts, which is more used in Scripture, is better adapted to the sound doctrine of piety; but a definition of the image of God ought to rest on a firmer basis than such subtleties. As for myself, before I define the”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: particular words and constructions, as of the general cast, both of the phraseology and the structure of the sentences; but that this similarity arises, not from the identity of the writers, but from the fact that both wrote in somewhat better Greek than is found in the rest of the New Testament. The grammars of the New Testament Greek continually refer to the fact, that certain classical constructions are found only, or at least more frequently, in these writers than elsewhere. But this does not prove more than that the author of this Epistle, as m”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:4: 12:4-5 so it is with Christ’s body: The parallel between the human body and the church—the body of Christ—is also found in 1 Cor 12. This metaphor provides an effective picture of unity and diversity in the church (cp. Livy, History 2.32; Epictetus, Discourses 2.10.4–5).”