Using Extrabiblical Examples to Illustrate Spiritual Principles

The practice of using extrabiblical examples to illustrate spiritual principles is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a part of Christian tradition. The Bible itself provides numerous examples of using everyday life and historical events to convey spiritual truths. For instance, the Psalmist expresses a desire to "understand the teaching of your precepts" and then "meditate on your wondrous works" ^[6]. This approach indicates that reflection on both biblical teachings and observable phenomena is valued.

Christians have long drawn on extrabiblical sources to illustrate spiritual principles. The apostle Paul, for example, uses the metaphor of athletic competition to encourage believers to persevere in their faith, urging them to "strip off every weight" and run with endurance ^[10]. This metaphor is drawn from the common cultural context of Greco-Roman athletic competitions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights various biblical examples that illustrate spiritual principles, such as Christ's example of zeal, sincerity, early rising, self-denial, and liberality ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}. These examples demonstrate how biblical characters and events are used to teach spiritual lessons. For instance, Christ's zeal for God's house is cited as an example for believers to follow, as seen in his cleansing of the temple ^[1].

The use of extrabiblical examples is not limited to biblical sources. Early Christian writers and theologians often drew on their cultural and philosophical contexts to explain and illustrate Christian teachings. For example, the early Christian historian Flavius Josephus referenced the laws and practices of the Essenes, a Jewish sect, in his writings ^[8].

In interpreting biblical teachings, Christian commentators have also employed extrabiblical examples. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, in their commentary on 1 John 3:8, note that Augustine used the concept of imitation to explain how individuals become "children of the devil" by imitating his actions, rather than being born of him ^[9]. This illustrates how Christian theologians have used extrabiblical concepts to clarify biblical teachings.

The practice of drawing on extrabiblical examples to illustrate spiritual principles is based on the understanding that God's truth is not limited to the biblical text alone but is reflected in the broader created order and human experience. As the Psalmist affirms, "My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly" ^[7], indicating a deep connection between observing God's works and loving His testimonies.

In Christian tradition, this approach has been used to teach various spiritual principles. For example, the concept of self-denial is illustrated through Christ's example of denying himself for the sake of his mission ^[4]. Similarly, the importance of sincerity in one's faith and actions is highlighted through biblical examples and teachings ^[2].

The use of extrabiblical examples to illustrate spiritual principles is not without its challenges. There is a risk of misinterpreting or misapplying these examples, or of giving them undue weight compared to biblical teachings. However, when done carefully and in conjunction with biblical instruction, this approach can be a powerful tool for teaching and illustrating spiritual truths.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
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:”
Psalms “Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. -- Psalms 119:27”
Psalms “My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. -- Psalms 119:167”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, BOOK II, section 50: some of these laws, though generally excellent in their kind, be properly now found either in the copies of the Jewish Pentateuch, or in Philo, or in Josephus himself, before he became a Nazarene or Ebionite Christian; nor even all of them among the laws of catholic Christianity themselves. I desire, therefore, the learned reader to consider, whether some of these improvements or interpretations might not be peculiar to the Essens among the Jews, or rather to the Nazarenes or Ebionites among the Christians, though we have indeed but imperfe”
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”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”

Ask Your Own Question