Using Cultural Examples to Honor God's Word in Biblical Teaching

Scripture itself establishes the pattern of teaching through concrete examples drawn from lived experience. When Moses commanded Israel, "Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you" (Deuteronomy 32:7), he anchored theological instruction in historical memory and communal testimony ^[14]. The Psalms likewise direct attention to tangible realities: "Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth" (Psalm 78:1) ^[10]. This appeal to collective memory and observable patterns reflects a biblical pedagogy that moves from the known to the unknown, from the concrete to the abstract.

The Apostolic Model of Exemplary Teaching

The New Testament extends this principle by presenting Christ and the apostles as living illustrations of doctrine. Paul's instruction to the Colossians makes the connection explicit: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16) ^[7]. The word does not dwell abstractly but takes root through teaching that engages the whole person—intellect, affection, and will. The writer of Hebrews reinforces this when he commands, "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7) ^[9]. Here the biographical becomes theological: the teacher's life serves as a case study in the application of divine truth.

The topical indices of Scripture consistently present Christ as the supreme example across multiple virtues. He is "an example of" humility (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8) ^[1], meekness (Psalm 45:4; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 11:29; 21:5; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Peter 2:21-23) ^[4], diligence (Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49) ^[3], and holy boldness (John 7:26) ^[6]. In each case, the incarnate life of Jesus provides the cultural-historical embodiment of an abstract theological category. To teach humility without reference to the foot-washing in the upper room, or meekness without the silence before Pilate, would be to strip doctrine of its narrative force.

The Function of Example in Moral Formation

Biblical teaching assumes that doctrine shapes conduct through the mediation of example. The Psalms model this when the psalmist prays, "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works" (Psalm 119:27) ^[8]. Understanding precedes meditation, but meditation on God's works—his concrete acts in history—cements understanding. Matthew Henry observes that when God teaches his statutes, those who are "humbly earnest" and "resolve with Jacob that they will not let him go unless he bless them with spiritual blessings, may be humbly confident that they shall at length obtain what they are so importunate for" ^[16]. The example of Jacob's wrestling becomes a template for persistent prayer.

The catalogues of virtue in the topical tradition consistently pair abstract qualities with concrete practices. Liberality, for instance, "should be exercised in the service of God" (Exodus 35:21-29), "toward saints" (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10), "toward servants" (Deuteronomy 15:12-14), "toward the poor" (Deuteronomy 15:11; Isaiah 58:7), "toward strangers" (Leviticus 25:35), "toward enemies" (Proverbs 25:21), and "toward all men" (Galatians 6:10) ^[2]. Each category names a social relationship and a corresponding action. The teacher who wishes to instruct in liberality must therefore draw on examples from these domains—examples that make visible what generosity looks like in the household, the marketplace, the assembly, and the encounter with the outsider.

The Danger of Abstraction Without Illustration

To teach doctrine without cultural grounding risks reducing theology to a system of propositions disconnected from the texture of human life. The Augustinian insight that "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" ^[12] underscores the formative power of imitation. If the devil's children are formed by imitation rather than generation, then God's children are likewise formed by imitating the pattern of Christ and the saints. The teacher who fails to provide concrete models leaves the learner without a script for obedience.

The Tyndale commentary on Psalm 58:3 notes that "all human beings are born sinners," yet "whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it" (Romans 7:19-23; James 4:1-10) ^[11]. The distinction between indulgence and resistance is not merely doctrinal but behavioral. To teach this distinction requires examples of what resistance looks like—examples drawn from Scripture, from church history, or from the contemporary community of faith. The teacher who names the struggle without naming the strategies leaves the doctrine inert.

Glorifying God Through Pedagogical Faithfulness

The ultimate aim of biblical teaching is the glorification of God, which is "accomplished by relying on his promises" and "praising him" (Romans 4:20; Psalm 50:23) ^[5]. Teaching that honors God's word does so not by avoiding cultural particularity but by embracing it as the medium through which divine truth becomes intelligible. The command to glorify God "for his holiness" (Psalm 99:9; Revelation 15:4), "mercy and truth" (Psalm 115:1; Romans 15:9), "faithfulness and truth" (Isaiah 25:1), and "wondrous works" (Matthew 15:31; Acts 4:21) ^[5] presupposes that these attributes are known through their manifestation in history and experience.

Ministers are called to "instruct opposers with" meekness (2 Timothy 2:24-25) and to "urge" meekness "on their people" (Titus 3:1-2) ^[4]. This instruction cannot proceed in a vacuum. It requires the teacher to name what meekness looks like when confronting error, when enduring slander, when correcting the wayward. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on Genesis 3:13 describes the first sin as "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" ^[13]. This unpacking of the narrative into its theological components models the kind of teaching that moves from event to principle and back again, showing how doctrine illuminates story and story embodies doctrine.

The Psalms provide a final model: "I will praise him with my glory, that is, with my tongue" ^[15]. Praise requires articulation, and articulation requires the selection of words, images, and examples that make the invisible God visible to the mind's eye. The teacher who uses cultural examples faithfully does not dilute the word but rather fulfills the command to let it "richly dwell" within the community, shaping both understanding and conduct.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
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:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
Colossians “Colossians 3:16 (BSB) — Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Psalms “Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. -- Psalms 119:27”
Hebrews “Hebrews 13:7 (BSB) — Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Psalms “Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. -- Psalms 78:1”
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.”
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”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 108:1: We may here learn how to praise God from the example of one who was master of the art. 1. We must praise God with fixedness of heart. Our heart must be employed in the duty (else we make nothing of it) and engaged to the duty (Psa 108:1): O God! my heart is fixed, and then I will sing and give praise. Wandering straggling thoughts must be gathered in, and kept close to the business; for they must be told that here is work enough for them all. 2. We must praise God with freeness of expression: I will praise him with my glory, that is, with my tongue. Our tongue is”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:171: Here is, 1. A great favour which David expects from God, that he will teach him his statutes. This he had often prayed for in this psalm, and urged his petition for it with various arguments; and now that he is drawing towards the close of the psalm he speaks of it as taken for granted. Those that are humbly earnest with God for his grace, and resolve with Jacob that they will not let him go unless he bless them with spiritual blessings, may be humbly confident that they shall at length obtain what they are so importunate for. The God of Israel will grant them ”

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