Using Secular Examples to Illustrate God's Attributes Biblically
Illustrating God's Attributes Biblically
The Bible uses various secular examples to illustrate God's attributes, making the divine more relatable and understandable to humans. One such attribute is God's liberality, demonstrated through human acts of kindness and generosity. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, liberality is pleasing to God and is a characteristic of saints [2]. The biblical example of Christ setting an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9) is used to encourage believers to be generous.
Another attribute illustrated through secular examples is God's sincerity. Christ is cited as an example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), and ministers are encouraged to follow his example [3]. The biblical emphasis on sincerity in our love to God, Christ, and one another highlights its importance in the Christian life.
The concept of humility is also used to illustrate God's attributes. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that humility is necessary for the service of God and is a characteristic of saints (Micah 6:8; Psalm 34:2) [1]. Christ's example of humility (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15) is cited as a model for believers.
The Bible also uses natural phenomena to illustrate God's attributes. For instance, Joel 2:30 describes God's wonders in the heavens and in the earth, including "blood, fire, and pillars of smoke" [4]. This imagery conveys the power and majesty of God.
In illustrating God's attributes, biblical writers often draw on human experiences and observations. The Psalmist, for example, reflects on the glory of God in creation (Psalm 8) [8]. Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalm 8 notes that the psalm is a meditation on the glory and greatness of God, with the psalmist giving instances of God's goodness to humanity as proof of His glory.
The use of secular examples to illustrate God's attributes is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses a chain of Old Testament quotations to demonstrate Jesus' superiority to angels (Hebrews 1:5-14) [7]. This passage highlights the importance of understanding God's attributes in light of Christ's exaltation.
Calvin's commentary on Genesis notes that humanity bears the image of God, although this image has been marred by sin [6]. The Reformed tradition emphasizes the importance of understanding humanity's relationship to God in terms of the divine image.
The biblical use of secular examples to illustrate God's attributes underscores the complexity and richness of God's nature. By drawing on human experiences and observations, biblical writers provide a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of God's character.
The Protestant academic interpretation of Romans 1:18 highlights God's anger as a necessary response to sin, rather than a spontaneous emotional outburst [5]. This understanding is rooted in the Old Testament depiction of God's anger and its predicted outpouring on human sin at the end of history.
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: 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; ”
- Joel “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. -- Joel 2:30”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.31: and fourteenth books on the Trinity, also the eleventh book of the “City of God.” I acknowledge, indeed, that there is something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit: and I have no difficulty in admitting the above distinction of the faculties of the soul: although the simpler division into two parts, which is more used in Scripture, is better adapted to the sound doctrine of piety; but a definition of the image of God ought to rest on a firmer basis than such subtleties. As for myself, before I define the”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 1:5: 1:5-14 In these ten verses, the author uses a variety of Old Testament texts to show that Jesus is superior to the angels. Among ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters, Old Testament passages were strung together one after the other in “chain quotations” (called “pearl stringing”) to convince the hearers or readers of a certain theological point by presenting a lot of scriptural evidence together. 1:5 God . . . said: This verse quotes Ps 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14. By exalting Jesus to his right hand (see Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-36; 7:55-56), the Father proclaimed his unique”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8 (introduction): This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name. It is proposed for proof (Psa 8:1) that God's name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a "quod erat demonstrandum" - which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God's glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God's goodness is his glor”