Using Non-Biblical Examples in Witnessing Consistent with Scripture
Witnessing, in a biblical context, refers to providing evidence or testimony, often concerning God's will or actions [4]. This act of bearing witness is central to Christian faith, with the Scriptures themselves being described as the "testimony" or "revelation of God's will" [4]. The Bible frequently uses the concept of witness, from tangible memorials like Abraham's seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as evidence of property, or Jacob's heap of stones marking a boundary, to Joshua setting up a stone as a witness to Israel's allegiance to God [1].
The New Testament emphasizes the importance of witness, particularly in relation to Christ. Jesus himself stated, "If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid" [2], implying the need for external corroboration. The apostle John, who "saw it," bore witness to the events of Christ's crucifixion, affirming the truth of his testimony so that others might believe [10]. Similarly, Paul, in Romans, bears "record" or "witness" to the zeal of his people for God, even while noting their lack of knowledge [12]. The Holy Spirit is also described as inspiring the Scriptures, making them a divine witness [3].
While the Bible is the primary source of truth and the ultimate authority for Christian witness [3], the question arises whether non-biblical examples can be used consistently with Scripture. The apostle Paul, for instance, in 1 Corinthians 7:12, distinguishes between instructions he gives that are directly from the Lord (meaning, found in existing sacred writings) and those he gives "not the Lord," indicating new guidance where no direct biblical precedent existed [11]. This suggests a framework where principles derived from Scripture can be applied to new situations, even if the specific examples are not explicitly biblical.
The concept of conscience also plays a role in understanding how non-biblical examples might be used. Conscience is described as witnessing within humanity, accusing of sin or approving of actions [5]. While the blood of Christ alone purifies the conscience, a pure conscience is a characteristic of saints [5]. This internal witness, informed by biblical principles, can help discern the consistency of non-biblical examples with Christian truth.
However, the use of non-biblical examples must always be grounded in and consistent with biblical teaching. The Scriptures are given by inspiration of God and are the "word of truth" [3]. They provide the standard against which all other examples and teachings must be measured. For instance, while human beings are born sinners, the godly fight against their sinful nature [6]. The Bible condemns "vanity" and "sinful acts" [7], and describes deliberate sins as rebellion [8]. The universal sinfulness of humanity is a core biblical teaching, applicable to all people regardless of their background [9]. Therefore, any non-biblical example used in witnessing should align with these fundamental truths about sin, redemption, and God's character.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Witness — Among people with whom writing is not common the evidence of a transaction is given by some tangible memorial or significant ceremony: Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as an evidence of his property in the well of Beersheba. Jacob raised a heap of stones, "the heap of witness." as a boundary-mark between himself and Laban. (Genesis 21:30; 31:47,52) The tribes of Reuben and Gad raised an "altar" as a witness to the covenant between themselves and the rest of the nation. Joshua set up a stone as an evidence of the allegiance promised by Israel to God.”
- John ““If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. -- John 5:31”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Testimony — (1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10). (2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God's will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20). (3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conscience — Witnesses in man -- Pr 20:27; Ro 2:15. Accuses of sin -- Ge 42:21; 2Sa 24:10; Mt 27:3; Ac 2:37. We should have the approval of -- Job 27:6; Ac 24:16; Ro 9:1; 14:22. The blood of Christ alone can purify -- Heb 9:14; 10:2-10,22. Keep the faith in purity of -- 1Ti 1:19; 3:9. Of saints, pure and good -- Heb 13:18; 1Pe 3:16,21. Submit to authority for -- Ro 13:5. Suffer patiently for -- 1Pe 2:19. Testimony of, a source of joy -- 2Co 1:12; 1Jo 3:21. Of others, not to be offended -- Ro 14:21; 1Co 10:28-32. Ministers should commend themselves to that of their pe”
- 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).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- 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”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 19:35: And he that saw it bare record--hath borne witness. and his witness is true, and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe--This solemn way of referring to his own testimony in this matter has no reference to what he says in his Epistle about Christ's "coming by water and blood" (see on Jo1 5:6), but is intended to call attention both to the fulfilment of Scripture in these particulars, and to the undeniable evidence he was thus furnishing of the reality of Christ's death, and consequently of His resurrection; perhaps also to meet the growi”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 7:12: But to the rest speak I, not the Lord - As if he had said: For what I have already spoken I have the testimony of the Lord by Moses, and of my own Lord and Master, Christ; but for the directions which I am now about to give there is no written testimony, and I deliver them now for the first time. These words do not intimate that the apostle was not now under the influences of the Divine Spirit; but, that there was nothing in the sacred writings which bore directly on this point. If any brother - A Christian man, have a wife that believeth not, i.e. who is a h”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 10:2: For I bear them record--or, "witness," as he well could from his own sad experience. that they have a zeal of--"for" God, but not according to knowledge--(Compare Act 22:3; Act 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14). He alludes to this well-meaning of his people, notwithstanding their spiritual blindness, not certainly to excuse their rejection of Christ and rage against His saints, but as some ground of hope regarding them. (See Ti1 1:13).”