Selecting Relevant Biblical Examples for Contemporary Audiences
Selecting relevant biblical examples for contemporary audiences involves understanding how ancient texts can speak to modern contexts, a practice evident throughout Christian interpretive traditions. The Bible itself demonstrates this principle, as seen in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which repeatedly draws on Old Testament narratives and Psalms to instruct its first-century audience [2, 7]. The author of Hebrews, for instance, cites Psalm 95:7, emphasizing that "today if you will hear his voice" applies to the present generation, indicating that ancient scripture holds perpetual relevance and contains "matter of moment, and great concern" for contemporary believers [2, 7].
This approach is not unique to the New Testament. Moses, in Deuteronomy, frequently appeals to the historical experiences of Israel, urging them to "remember the days of old" and recall God's providences concerning their ancestors [1, 3]. Matthew Henry notes that Moses's discourse in Deuteronomy is an "application of the foregoing history," designed to quicken and engage the people to duty and obedience based on past events [1]. This demonstrates an ancient precedent for drawing lessons from historical accounts and applying them to current circumstances.
When considering how to make biblical examples relevant, several principles emerge from various interpretive traditions:
First, the universality of human experience allows ancient narratives to resonate with modern audiences. The struggles, triumphs, and moral dilemmas faced by biblical figures often mirror those encountered today. For example, the Apostle Paul's justification by faith, as described in Romans, is presented not merely as an historical account but as a "pattern or sampler of ours," demonstrating that Abraham's experience was "not written for his sake alone" [6]. This highlights that biblical narratives are intended to serve as ongoing examples for believers across time, providing a framework for understanding God's dealings with humanity.
Second, contextualization without compromise is crucial. While the historical and cultural settings of biblical texts are distinct from contemporary life, the underlying theological truths and moral principles remain constant. Paul's engagement with the thinkers in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) serves as a model for this [5]. He quoted writers familiar to his audience and demonstrated the relevance of the Gospel by dialoguing with their assumptions, critiquing them, and offering Jesus as a "constructive alternative" [5]. This approach suggests that effective communication of biblical examples involves understanding the audience's worldview and connecting biblical truths to their specific questions and concerns. The Tyndale House commentary on Acts 17 emphasizes Paul as a "model witness for Christ" for his ability to engage contemporary thinkers and challenge them with the Christian message [5].
Third, focusing on the transformative power of God's word ensures that examples are not merely historical anecdotes but living truths. The "entrance of God's word gives light" and understanding, according to Matthew Henry on Psalm 119:130 [8]. This implies that biblical examples are not just for intellectual appreciation but for spiritual illumination and guidance. The stories and teachings are meant to be "useful, as a light in a dark place," enlightening the understanding of those who are sanctified [8].
Fourth, identifying the core message or principle within a biblical example helps in its application. For instance, Jesus's teaching on being "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" in Matthew 5:13 is presented as a "practical application of the foregoing principles" to His disciples and "to their successors in all time" [4]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that Jesus moves from describing blessed characters to addressing the persons who possess these characteristics, indicating that these teachings are meant to be embodied by believers in every generation [4]. The enduring principle here is the call for believers to exert a positive, preserving, and illuminating influence on the world.
Fifth, drawing parallels between ancient challenges and modern issues can make biblical examples particularly potent. The Israelites' struggles with idolatry, disobedience, and reliance on human strength, as recounted in Deuteronomy, can be paralleled with contemporary temptations and societal issues [1, 3]. By showing how God responded to these ancient challenges, contemporary audiences can gain insight into God's character and His expectations for His people today. Matthew Henry's commentary on Deuteronomy highlights the importance of reviewing God's providences to be "quickened and engaged to duty and obedience" [1].
Finally, emphasizing the ongoing nature of God's covenant and promises provides a theological foundation for the relevance of biblical examples. The continuity of God's character and His redemptive plan across history means that His actions in the past serve as a guide for understanding His present and future work. The examples of faith and obedience from the Old Testament, as highlighted in Hebrews 11, are presented as a "cloud of witnesses" for believers today, encouraging perseverance in faith. This continuity underscores that the lessons learned from biblical figures are not confined to their historical moment but are part of an unfolding divine narrative that continues to impact contemporary life.
Sources
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 4:1: This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to digest it into proper heads, for we cannot divide it into paragraphs. I. In general, it is the use and application of the foregoing history; it comes in by way of inference from it: Now therefore harken, O Israel, Deu 4:1. This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience. The histories of the year”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:15: While it is said today,.... Exhort one another, and hold fast Christ and his Gospel, and faith and confidence therein; what follows is a repetition of the citation in Heb 3:7 in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of moment, and great concern; and that Scripture instructions and exhortations are of perpetual use. in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of momen”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:7: Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deu 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, "Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you will find a constant series of mercies at”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:13: We have here the practical application of the foregoing principles to those disciples who sat listening to them, and to their successors in all time. Our Lord, though He began by pronouncing certain characters to be blessed--without express reference to any of His hearers--does not close the beatitudes without intimating that such characters were in existence, and that already they were before Him. Accordingly, from characters He comes to persons possessing them, saying, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you," &c. (Mat 5:11). And now, continuing t”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 17:16: 17:16-34 In this chapter, we see Paul presented as a model witness for Christ, engaging the thinkers of his day and challenging them with the Christian message. Paul quoted writers his audience would be familiar with and showed the relevance of the gospel by dialoguing with them, critiquing their assumptions, and offering Jesus as a constructive alternative (see Col 1:28). Paul reminded these proud intellectuals that there is a living God to whom all human beings are answerable; that they will be judged by him through Jesus, whom God raised from the dead; and that ”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 4:23: In the close of the chapter, he applies all to us; and, having abundantly proved that Abraham was justified by faith, he here concludes that his justification was to be the pattern or sampler of ours: It was not written for his sake alone. It was not intended only for an historical commendation of Abraham, or a relation of something peculiar to him (as some antipaedobaptists will needs understand that circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of the faith, Rom 4:11, only to Abraham himself, and no other); no, the scripture did not intend hereby to describe some”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:7: Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith,.... In Psa 95:7 today if you will hear his voice; either the precepts of Christ, to hear which is to obey them; and this is an acknowledgment to Christ as King of saints, and is a testimony of love to him, and is wellpleasing in his sight; and in which the saints find pleasure themselves, and profit also: or the Gospel of Christ, which is a voice of love, grace, and mercy; of peace and reconciliation; of pardon and righteousness; of liberty, redemption, and salvation by Christ; and to hear it, is not only to hear it externally, but”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:130: Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begi”