Teaching Abstract Biblical Principles Without Analogies
Teaching Abstract Biblical Principles Without Analogies
The Bible often employs analogies and metaphors to convey complex spiritual truths, but the question remains whether it's possible to teach abstract biblical principles without relying on these literary devices. According to Adam Clarke, Jesus used earthly illustrations to explain heavenly concepts, such as the new birth, to make them more comprehensible [4]. However, Clarke also notes that even with these analogies, some people may still struggle to understand, suggesting that abstract principles can be challenging to convey.
In 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul writes that he fed the Corinthians with "milk" rather than "solid food" because they were not ready for more complex teachings. Adam Clarke interprets this as Paul instructing them in the "elements of Christianity" and its "simplest and easiest truths" [3]. This implies that abstract principles can be taught, but the audience's capacity to understand must be considered.
The writer of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31:34, which states that under the new covenant, people will not need to teach their neighbors because they will all know God [2, 5]. John Gill interprets this as referring to the inward teaching of God's Spirit, which enables believers to understand spiritual truths without relying on human instruction [6]. However, this does not necessarily mean that abstract principles cannot be taught; rather, it highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in facilitating understanding.
Calvin's commentary on Isaiah 16:13 suggests that some people may be too "stupid and senseless" to understand spiritual teachings, even when illustrated with analogies [1]. This underscores the challenge of conveying abstract principles to those who are not receptive.
The biblical writers and commentators agree that teaching abstract biblical principles without analogies is difficult, but not impossible. The key is to consider the audience's capacity to understand and to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note, the Holy Spirit teaches believers by "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [7], implying that a deep understanding of spiritual truths can be achieved through a combination of human instruction and divine guidance.
The use of analogies and metaphors remains a crucial aspect of biblical teaching, but it is not the only means of conveying abstract principles. By acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and the importance of the Holy Spirit's role, teachers can effectively communicate complex spiritual truths to their audience.
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 16.13: mistake to connect this statement of the Prophet with that passage in the Apostle Peter, as if Isaiah represented God as desirous to obtain disciples who had divested themselves of all pride, and were like infants lately weaned; for the Prophet, on the contrary, loudly complains, that to “teach doctrine” is useless, and merely provokes ridicule among stupid and senseless persons, who are “children, not in malice, but in understanding,” as Paul speaks. ( 1 Corinthians 14:20 .) From what follows it will more clearly appear that, since they wer”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:11: Second of the "better promises" (Heb 8:6). they shall not--"they shall not have to teach" [ALFORD]. his neighbour--So Vulgate reads; but the oldest manuscripts have "his (fellow) citizen." brother--a closer and more endearing relation than fellow citizen. from the least to the greatest--Greek, "from the little one to the great one." Zac 12:8, "He that is feeble among them shall be as David." Under the old covenant, the priest's lips were to keep knowledge, and at his mouth the people were to seek the law: under the new covenant, the Holy Spiri”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 3:2: I have fed you with milk - I have instructed you in the elements of Christianity - in its simplest and easiest truths; because from the low state of your minds in religious knowledge, you were incapable of comprehending the higher truths of the Gospel: and in this state you will still continue. The apostle thus exposes to them the absurdity of their conduct in pretending to judge between preacher and preacher, while they had but a very partial acquaintance even with the first principles of Christianity.”
- 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 ”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:11: They shall not teach every man his neighbor - Under the old covenant, properly speaking, there was no public instruction; before the erection of synagogues all worship was confined at first to the tabernacle, afterwards to the temple. When synagogues were established they were used principally for the bare reading of the law and the prophets; and scarcely any such thing as a public ministry for the continual instruction of the common people was found in the land till the time of John the Baptist, our Lord, and his apostles. It is true there were prophets who were a”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 31:34: And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,.... Which is not to be understood of the outward ministry of the word; in heaven indeed there will be no need of it, nor in the New Jerusalem state; but in every period of time before it. In the first times of the Gospel, persons were appointed and qualified by Christ to be pastors and teachers; and in the latter day men shall run to and fro, and increase knowledge; besides, the saints in the present state stand in need of teaching; since they know but in part, and there is room for a ”
- 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:”