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Unbiblical Illustrations and Examples in Teaching and Preaching

Unbiblical illustrations and examples in teaching and preaching refer to the use of analogies, stories, or comparisons that either contradict biblical truth or lead to misunderstandings of Christian doctrine. The Bible itself frequently employs examples and illustrations to convey spiritual truths, such as Christ's parables [8] and the lives of biblical figures as warnings or models [1]. However, when these illustrative methods deviate from biblical principles, they can become problematic.

One category of unbiblical illustrations involves those that promote false doctrines. The Apostle Paul warned against teaching "another doctrine" that differs from biblical truth [11]. Such false teachings are described as destructive to faith and hateful to God [5]. For instance, illustrations that suggest salvation can be earned through works, rather than by grace through faith, would contradict core biblical teachings. Similarly, any illustration that encourages idolatry, defined as bowing down to images, worshipping other gods, or even worshipping the true God by an image, would be unbiblical [2]. The Old Testament repeatedly warns against alliances with "enemies of God" because they lead to idolatry and provoke divine anger [4]. Therefore, illustrations that normalize or subtly endorse practices associated with false worship would be contrary to scripture.

Another concern arises when illustrations misrepresent the character or actions of God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. For example, while Christ's compassion is a central theme in scripture, shown towards the weary, the weak in faith, and perishing sinners [6], an illustration that portrays Christ as condoning sin or ignoring justice would be unbiblical. Similarly, illustrations that promote strife, which the Bible identifies as a "work of the flesh" and an evidence of a carnal spirit, would contradict the example of Christ, who avoided strife [3].

The use of illustrations that are merely "unprofitable and vain" also falls under this category, even if not overtly heretical [5]. John Chrysostom, an early church father, noted the importance of sound exposition in homilies, even while acknowledging that some of his own sermons might be less complete in exposition than others [9]. He also highlighted the dangers of vainglory, which can ruin individuals and hinder belief [10]. An illustration driven by a desire for novelty or personal acclaim, rather than clear biblical communication, could inadvertently lead listeners astray or distract from the message.

Furthermore, illustrations can be unbiblical if they encourage a lifestyle or worldview contrary to Christian ethics. The Bible forbids association with those who promote ungodliness, stating that such alliances can be ensnaring and defiling [4]. Therefore, illustrations that implicitly or explicitly endorse worldly values over biblical ones, or that blur the lines between righteous and unrighteous conduct, would be problematic. As Adam Clarke notes in his commentary on Romans, a teacher's own conduct must align with their doctrine; preaching against theft while being a thief, or against idolatry while being guilty of sacrilege, undermines the message [12]. This principle extends to the examples and illustrations used in teaching.

The prophets of Israel were often condemned for their arrogance and treachery, and priests for profaning the sanctuary and doing violence to the law [7]. This historical context underscores the importance of faithful and accurate communication of God's word. Illustrations, while powerful teaching tools, must always be subservient to the truth of scripture and aim to clarify, not obscure or distort, biblical doctrine.

Sources

  1. 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).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Idolatry — Forbidden -- Ex 20:2,3; De 5:7. Consists in Bowing down to images. -- Ex 20:5; De 5:9. Worshipping images. -- Isa 44:17; Da 3:5,10,15. Sacrificing to images. -- Ps 106:38; Ac 7:41. Worshipping other gods. -- De 30:17; Ps 81:9. Swearing by other gods. -- Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7. Walking after other gods. -- De 8:19. Speaking in the name of other gods. -- De 18:20. Looking to other gods. -- Ho 3:1. Serving other gods. -- De 7:4; Jer 5:19. Fearing other gods. -- 2Ki 17:35. Sacrificing to other gods. -- Ex 22:20. Worshipping the true God by an image, & c. -- Ex 32:”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Doctrines, False — Destructive to faith -- 2Ti 2:18. Hateful to God -- Re 2:14,15. Unprofitable and vain -- Tit 3:9; Heb 13:9. Should be avoided by Ministers. -- 1Ti 1:4; 6:20. Saints. -- Eph 4:14; Col 2:8. All men. -- Jer 23:16; 29:8. The wicked love -- 2Ti 4:3,4. The wicked given up to believe -- 2Th 2:11. Teachers of Not to be countenanced. -- 2Jo 1:10. Should be avoided. -- Ro 16:17,18. Bring reproach on religion. -- 2Pe 2:2. Speak perverse things. -- Ac 20:30. Attract many. -- 2Pe 2:2. Deceive many. -- Mt 24:5. Shall abound in the latter days. -- 1Ti 4:1. Perver”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
  7. Zephaniah “Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law. -- Zephaniah 3:4”
  8. Matthew “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. -- Matthew 13:13”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: v St. Chrysostom as a Homilist. By the American Editor of the Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. ———————————— These Homilies are often less complete in exposition than those on earlier books of the New Testament, and in literary excellence will not compare with the Homilies on the Statues, and many other discourses given at Antioch. But to the student of preaching, they are quite as instructive, if not really more so. Here at Constantinople the great preacher was burdened with administrative details, and hara”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: infidels, 305 ; their manifold extravagancies, ib. Union, of the Father and the Son, essential: of Christ and Christians, spiritual, 275 . Universal, warnings most acceptable, 106 . Universality, of Gospel offers, 24 , 29 , 36 . Vainglory, tyranny of, 14 , 30 ; meanness of, 14 ; evil effects of, 15 ; worse than fornication, 98 ; ruined the Jews, ib. ; the source of avarice and passion, ib. ; of John's disciples, 102 ; its evils, and examples of, ib. ; hard to tame, ib. ; hindered belief in the Jews, 136 ; folly and danger of, 103 , 136 ; hinders fai”
  11. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
  12. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 2:21: Thou therefore - Dr. Taylor has paraphrased this and the three following verses thus: "What signify your pretensions to knowledge, and the office of teaching others, if you have no regard to your own doctrine? What are you the better for preaching against theft, if you are a thief yourself? Or for declaring adultery unlawful, if you live in the practice of it? Or for representing idolatry abominable, if you are guilty of sacrilege? What honors or singular favors do you deserve, if, while you glory in the law and your religious privileges, you dishonor God, and discr”
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