Appropriating Secular Examples in Biblical Teaching and Preaching

Biblical teaching and preaching frequently employ examples, both from within the biblical narrative and from secular contexts, to illustrate spiritual truths and encourage moral conduct. The use of examples is a long-standing method of instruction, evident in the New Testament's own pedagogical approach ^[10].

The Bible itself provides numerous instances of using examples. Christ is presented as the ultimate example in various aspects of life, including sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; John 17:9-24), early rising (Mark 1:35), and meekness (Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:21-23) ^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6]}. Pastors are likewise called to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 1 Peter 5:3), and the experiences of the Jews serve as a warning (Hebrews 4:11) ^[3]. The prophets are also held up as examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) ^[3]. The book of Hebrews, for instance, dedicates an entire chapter to recounting the faith of Old Testament figures, explicitly stating that these individuals serve as models for believers ^[10].

Beyond direct biblical examples, the practice of drawing parallels from everyday life or secular observations is also deeply rooted in biblical tradition. The concept of a "parable" itself, derived from the Greek parabole, signifies "placing beside or together, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" ^[2]. Jesus frequently used parables, drawing on common experiences like sowing seeds, fishing, or a woman baking bread, to convey profound spiritual lessons ^[11]. These were not abstract theological treatises but relatable stories that illuminated the "kingdom of heaven" ^[11]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, noted that while modern discourse often demands systematic arrangement, the ancient style of preaching, including that of the apostles, frequently employed a more illustrative and less rigidly structured approach ^[9].

The appropriation of secular examples in preaching can serve several purposes:

Relatability and Understanding: Just as Jesus used parables drawn from common life, contemporary preachers can use modern examples to make complex theological concepts accessible and understandable to their audience. This aligns with the biblical method of illustrating spiritual truths through familiar earthly realities ^[11].
Moral Instruction: Examples from secular life, whether historical figures, current events, or even fictional narratives, can highlight virtues or vices, providing concrete illustrations of ethical principles. The Bible itself uses both positive and negative examples to guide conduct ^[3].
Engagement and Memory: Well-chosen examples can capture an audience's attention and help them remember the message. This is particularly true when the examples resonate with their lived experiences.

However, the use of secular examples requires discernment. The goal is to illuminate biblical truth, not to replace it or dilute its authority. The apostle Paul, for example, appealed to the Corinthians' "own powers of judgment" when discussing the implications of partaking in idol feasts, suggesting that believers should be able to weigh arguments and understand spiritual principles through reasoned thought, even when drawing comparisons to their cultural context ^[8]. The ultimate aim of teaching is to move beyond elementary instruction to maturity in Christ ^[7].

The careful integration of secular examples, when used to clarify and reinforce biblical teaching, continues a long-standing tradition of making divine truths comprehensible and applicable to human experience.

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”
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).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (NASB) — Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: which one after another occurred. Now, modern taste requires much more system and symmetry in building a discourse. The Schoolmen taught their pupils to analyze and arrange, 1 1 How this came about, the editor has sought to explain in his “Lectures on the History of Preaching” (New York, Armstrong), p. 103 f. and modern preaching has taken the corresponding form, for good and for ill. An expository sermon of to-day must be much more systematic in its explanations, and much more regular in its entire construction, than those of th”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:31: Another parable spake he unto them,.... To the disciples and the multitude, and which was of the same kind, to the same purpose, and relating to the same subject as the former; the spread of the Gospel, and the increase of it in the world, The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven. The word "leaven" is every where else used in a bad sense; and either designs immorality, as malice and wickedness, or false doctrine, such as that of the Pharisees and Sadducees: but here it seems to be taken in a good sense, and the Gospel to be compared unto it; nor for its disagreea”

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