Using Secular Examples to Justify Unbiblical Practices
The Danger of Using Secular Examples to Justify Unbiblical Practices
The practice of using secular examples to justify unbiblical practices is a perilous one, as it can lead to the erosion of biblical standards and the adoption of worldly behaviors. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for teaching "as doctrine the precepts of men" while claiming to worship God [4, 7]. This criticism highlights the danger of blending secular and biblical principles, potentially resulting in a compromised faith.
The biblical text warns against adopting customs and practices that are contrary to God's law. In Acts 16:21, Paul and Silas are accused by the Romans of promoting customs "unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice" [1]. This incident illustrates the tension between adhering to biblical teachings and conforming to secular norms. The early Christian church faced similar challenges, as seen in the warnings against false prophets and teachers who used miracles to deceive people [6].
The use of secular examples to justify unbiblical practices can be seen in various areas, including the pursuit of wealth and power. The biblical text warns against the love of money and the pursuit of selfish gain, characterizing it as a form of idolatry [5]. In contrast, secular societies often prioritize wealth and status, creating a tension between biblical values and worldly ambitions.
The early church fathers recognized the danger of adopting secular practices. John Chrysostom, for example, critiqued the moral character of heathenism and its influence on Christian behavior [9]. Similarly, Calvin warned against the tendency to conform to worldly standards, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a distinctively Christian identity [8].
The biblical text also warns against the dangers of flattery and hypocrisy, behaviors often associated with secular societies. The book of Proverbs condemns flattery as a means of gaining advantage, highlighting its potential to deceive and manipulate others [3]. In contrast, biblical teachings emphasize the importance of honesty, humility, and self-denial [2].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the need for Christians to stand apart from worldly practices and to maintain a commitment to biblical teachings. Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the importance of resisting the influence of false accusations and slanders, and instead standing firm in one's faith [8].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 16:21 (BSB) — by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.””
- 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: Flattery — Saints should not used -- Job 32:21,22. Ministers should not use -- 1Th 2:5. The wicked use, to Others. -- Ps 5:9; 12:2. Themselves. -- Ps 36:2. Hypocrites use, to God. -- Ps 78:36. Those in authority. -- Da 11:34. False prophets and teachers use -- Eze 12:24; Ro 16:18. Wisdom, a preservative against -- Pr 4:5. Worldly advantage obtained by -- Da 11:21,22. Seldom gains respect -- Pr 28:23. Avoid those given to -- Pr 20:19. Danger of -- Pr 7:21-23; 20:5. Punishment of -- Job 17:5; Ps 12:3. Exemplified Woman of Tekoah. -- 2Sa 14:17,20. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:2-6”
- Matthew “Matthew 15:9 (BSB) — They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’””
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miracles Through Evil Agents — Performed through the power of the devil -- 2Th 2:9; Re 16:14. Wrought In support of false religions. -- De 13:1-2. By false christs. -- Mt 24:24. By false prophets. -- Mt 24:24; Re 19:20. A mark of the Apostasy -- 2Th 2:3,9; Re 13:13. Not to be regarded -- De 13:3. Deceive the ungodly -- 2Th 2:10-12; Re 13:14; 19:20. Exemplified Magicians of Egypt. -- Ex 7:11,22; 8:7. Witch of Endor. -- 1Sa 28:7-14. Simon Magus. -- Ac 8:9-11.”
- Mark “Mark 7:7 (BSB) — They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 4.14: to us, that, imitating the example of Hezekiah, we may stand unshaken against such accusations and slanders. So far as relates to the last clause, in which Rabshakeh reproaches him with having overturned the worship of God, 36 36 Our author refers to the charges contained in the 7 th verse of this chapter. — Ed. every person must plainly see how slanderous is that charge; for Hezekiah had taken away false gods and superstitious 37 37 “ Les idols et l’idolatrie .” “Idols and idolatry.” worship, which God abhors. ( 2 Kings 18:4 .) But we need n”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: moral character of heathenism.”—Meyer.—G.A.] 309 [Compare 1 Kings xviii. 27 , the locus classicus where Elijah uses his scathing irony against the priests of Baal.—G.A.] 310 [See Schaff’s History of the Christian Church , Vol. I., pp. 72–74, with Literature there noted.—G.A.] 311 [On Democritus and Leucippus, founders of the Atomistic philosophy, see Ueberweg’s Hist. of Philosophy (Amer. ed.), Vol. I., pp. 67–71; on Epicurus, Vol. I., pp. 205–207.—G.A.] 312 This was the instance in the Schools. Vid. Sextus Empiricus, Pyrrh. Hypot”