Using Non-Biblical Examples to Illustrate Gospel Relevance
Using Non-Biblical Examples to Illustrate Gospel Relevance
The use of non-biblical examples to illustrate the relevance of the gospel is a practice grounded in the biblical tradition itself. Jesus often employed parables, which are stories drawn from everyday life, to convey spiritual truths [9]. For instance, the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9) uses an agricultural example to explain the different responses to the gospel message. This method of using relatable, non-biblical illustrations to make spiritual points is rooted in Jesus' own teaching methodology.
The biblical text supports the use of examples, both biblical and non-biblical, to illustrate Christian doctrine and practice. The apostle Paul, for example, used the analogy of athletic competition to explain the Christian life, exhorting believers to "run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) [3]. This approach is consistent with the broader biblical emphasis on the importance of examples in teaching and exhortation. Christ is presented as the ultimate example for believers, demonstrating qualities such as sincerity, self-denial, and zeal [1, 3, 4].
The early Christian preachers and writers continued this practice, using various examples to illustrate the relevance and power of the gospel. The use of parables and other illustrative stories was a key feature of Jesus' teaching, making complex spiritual concepts more accessible to his audience [2]. The Gospels themselves are described as historical accounts of the person and work of Christ, with each Gospel presenting a particular aspect of His mission [5].
In Christian tradition, the use of non-biblical examples to illustrate gospel relevance has been continued and developed. Theological commentators and preachers have drawn on a wide range of sources, from everyday life to literature and history, to make the gospel more relatable and understandable. For example, John Wesley, a key figure in the Methodist tradition, used illustrations from nature, literature, and everyday experience in his sermons to convey spiritual truths [10].
The effectiveness of using non-biblical examples lies in their ability to make the gospel more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. By drawing on common experiences and observations, preachers and teachers can help their listeners understand the practical implications of the gospel in their daily lives. This approach is in line with the biblical emphasis on the importance of demonstrating one's faith through actions and character [6].
However, it is also important to ensure that such examples are used in a way that remains faithful to the biblical text and the core message of the gospel. The use of illustrations should serve to illuminate and apply the biblical teaching, rather than to replace or dilute it. As the apostle Paul noted, his mission was to preach the gospel, not with "wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect" (1 Corinthians 1:17) [7, 8].
Sources
- 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; ”
- 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”
- 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: 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 1:17 — For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:17 (Geneva1599) — For CHRIST sent me not to baptize, but to preache the Gospel, not with wisdome of wordes, lest the crosse of Christ should be made of none effect.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”