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Using Non-Biblical Examples in Biblical Teaching: Potential Pitfalls

The use of non-biblical examples in biblical teaching carries potential pitfalls, primarily because such examples can obscure or distort the core message of Scripture if not handled carefully. While illustrations can be helpful, they must always remain subservient to biblical truth.

One significant danger is the introduction of "another gospel" or "another Jesus" [6, 9]. The Apostle Paul warned against those who would "pervert the gospel of Christ" [5]. If non-biblical examples subtly shift the focus or introduce concepts foreign to the biblical narrative, they risk presenting a message that deviates from the authentic Christian faith. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy, notes that teaching "another doctrine" refers to one different from what the apostles taught, including doctrines that might encourage disobedience or disregard for established authority [11].

Another pitfall lies in the potential for "fables" to replace or diminish the authority of biblical parables [4]. While both fables and parables are narratives used for moral instruction, Smith's Bible Dictionary distinguishes them: parables relate what is true to fact and teach "higher heavenly and spiritual truths," whereas fables often feature irrational or inanimate beings and teach only "earthly moralities" [4]. If a non-biblical example functions more as a fable than a parable, it might reduce spiritual truths to mere moralisms, thereby undermining the unique revelatory nature of Scripture.

Furthermore, non-biblical examples can lead to "offence" or "stumbling blocks" if they are poorly chosen or misapplied [1, 7]. The Bible itself warns against causing others to stumble, and this principle extends to teaching methods. For instance, if an example inadvertently promotes "idolatry" by elevating human wisdom or experience above divine revelation, it can lead listeners astray [3]. The teaching of Balaam, which led the Israelites to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality, serves as a biblical warning against such pitfalls [7].

The use of non-biblical examples can also foster "strife" or contention within the church [2]. If an example is controversial, culturally insensitive, or perceived as irrelevant, it can distract from the biblical message and create division. Paul noted that strife can be an "evidence of a carnal spirit" and can be excited by "curious questions" [2]. Teachers are encouraged to avoid such contentiousness [12].

Finally, relying too heavily on non-biblical examples can indicate a lack of maturity in understanding biblical principles, suggesting a need to "reteach... the basic principles of God’s word" [8]. The author of Hebrews admonishes those who ought to be teachers but still require "milk, not solid food" [8]. While illustrations can be useful, the primary source of teaching should always be the "solid food" of God's word itself. Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, cautions against misinterpreting biblical passages to align with human understanding, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God's word, not from human "understanding" [10].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Offence — Occasions of, must arrive -- Mt 18:7. Occasions of, forbidden -- 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3. Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors -- Mt 13:21; 24:10; 26:31. The wicked take, at The low station of Christ. -- Isa 53:1-3; Mt 13:54-57. Christ, as the corner-stone. -- Isa 8:14; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8. Christ, as the bread of life. -- Joh 6:58-61. Christ crucified. -- 1Co 1:23; Ga 5:11. The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 9:32. The necessity of inward purity. -- Mt 15:11,12. Blessedness of not taking, at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Saints warned against taking -- Joh 16:1. Saints ”
  2. 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”
  3. 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:”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fable — A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions.--Encyc. Brit. The fable differs from the parable in that-- + The parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and + The parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. Of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [[510]Parable], we have but two examples in the Bible: + That of the tree”
  5. Galatians “Galatians 1:7 (Webster) — Which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
  6. King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 11:4 — For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
  7. Revelation “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. -- Revelation 2:14”
  8. Hebrews “Hebrews 5:12 (BSB) — Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!”
  9. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 11:4 (Geneva1599) — For if he that commeth, preacheth another Iesus whome we haue not preached: or if yee receiue another spirite whome ye haue not receiued: either another Gospell, which yee haue not receiued, ye might well haue suffered him.”
  10. 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”
  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. James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 3 (introduction): DANGER OF EAGERNESS TO TEACH, AND OF AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE: TRUE WISDOM SHOWN BY UNCONTENTIOUS MEEKNESS. (Jam. 3:1-18) be not--literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord. many--The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern the tongue well (Jam 3:2), and only such as can govern it are fit for the office; therefore, "teachers" ought not to be many. masters--rather, "teachers." The Jews were especially prone to this presumption. The idea that faith (so called) without works (Jam 2:14-26) wa”
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