Using Biblical Stories to Illustrate Complex Biblical Truths
Biblical stories serve as a primary means of illustrating complex theological truths, often employing narrative to convey profound concepts. The term "parable" itself, derived from the Greek parabole, signifies "placing beside" or "comparison," indicating its function as an illustration of one subject by another [1]. This method is evident throughout scripture, from the Old Testament's use of proverbs and prophetic utterances to the New Testament's parables of Jesus [1].
For instance, the Genesis account of the fall (Genesis 3) is a foundational narrative that illustrates the complex truth of sin. The act of eating the forbidden fruit is not merely a simple transgression but represents a profound "love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters—a preference of the creature to the Creator" [4]. This story teaches that sin is not just an action but a rebellion against God [5]. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, as Psalm 51:5 suggests, and while the godly strive against it, the wicked indulge it [2]. The apostle John further clarifies that "He that committeth sin is of the devil," emphasizing that sin aligns one with the devil, not through birth but through imitation [3].
The universal nature of sin is a complex truth that Paul addresses in Romans 1:18–3:20, where he systematically demonstrates that both Gentiles and Jews are "equally under sin’s power" [6]. This universal sinfulness necessitates God's wrath, which is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a "holy God’s necessary response to sin" [6]. The stories of human failing throughout the Old Testament, such as the Israelites' repeated disobedience, serve to illustrate this pervasive human condition.
Jesus frequently used parables to explain the Kingdom of God, often employing "surprising, evocative imagery" to highlight the contrast between humble beginnings and glorious outcomes, and to encourage patience among his disciples [9]. These narratives make abstract spiritual realities tangible and comprehensible. Similarly, the "testimonies" or Scriptures themselves are described as "wonderful" because they reveal God's nature, his works of creation and providence, and his will, making complex divine truths accessible through their narratives and teachings [8]. The utility of such historical narratives, like those in Genesis, is to make the doctrine of the Law "familiarly known," as Calvin noted [7].
Sources
- 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.9: far I have treated briefly, as the occasion required, of the utility of this History. 29 29 Touchant l’utilite de l’histoire contenue au livre de Genese . — Touching the utility of the history contained in the Book of Genesis. — French Tr. As for the rest, I have labored — how skilfully I know not, but certainly faithfully — that the doctrine of the Law, the obscurity of which has heretofore repelled many, may become familiarly known. There will be readers, I doubt not, who would desire a more ample explication of particular passag”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:31: 13:31-33 Jesus used surprising, evocative imagery in these parables, either to emphasize the inevitable growth of the Kingdom through proclamation of the gospel or, more probably, to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and glorious consummation, and to exhort the disciples to patience (see also 16:24–17:13).”