Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with Biblical Doctrine Theologically
Theological doctrine is primarily derived from the Bible, which serves as the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:3, emphasizes the importance of adhering to "sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness" [3, 7]. John Gill interprets this as a warning against teaching "another doctrine" that deviates from what the apostle had taught, particularly concerning practical matters like the duty of servants [10].
While the Bible is the foundational source, non-biblical examples can illustrate or reinforce biblical truths, but they must always be evaluated against the standard of Scripture. The New Testament itself frequently draws upon the Old Testament for examples and prophecies, such as Mark 15:34 referencing Psalm 22:1 and Psalm 27:9 [1, 4]. Similarly, Revelation 15:3 contains numerous cross-references to Old Testament passages, demonstrating how later biblical authors built upon earlier revelation [5].
However, there is a clear distinction between biblical doctrine and external examples. The author of Hebrews warns against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" [9]. These "divers" doctrines are those that differ from the singular faith in Jesus Christ, while "strange" doctrines are foreign to the truth [9]. Gill further explains that "divers" can refer to the variety of human doctrines, contrasting them with the uniform and consistent doctrine of the Scriptures [8].
Non-biblical examples can be useful for illustrating concepts like self-denial or sincerity, as seen in topical guides that point to Christ as an example of both [2, 6]. However, these examples are always presented as reflections of biblical principles, not as independent sources of doctrine. The emphasis remains on the "doctrine of Christ," which encompasses the easier parts of the Gospel, often referred to as "milk" [12]. The goal is to move beyond these foundational principles without abandoning them, continually grounding understanding in the biblical text. Calvin, for instance, is noted for his verbal criticisms and interpretations of Scripture, highlighting the scholarly engagement with the biblical text itself as the primary source of theological understanding [13]. The process involves "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," meaning expounding Scripture by comparing it with other Spirit-inspired texts [11].
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Mark.15.34 → Ps.27.9 (confidence: 14 votes)”
- 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 ”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 6:3 (NASB) — If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Mark.15.34 → Ps.22.1 (confidence: 25 votes)”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 15:3 cross-references: Genesis 17:1, Exodus 15:1, Deuteronomy 31:30, Deuteronomy 34:5, 1 Chronicles 6:49, 2 Chronicles 24:6, Nehemiah 9:14, Job 5:9, Psalms 78:12, Psalms 85:10, Psalms 99:4, Psalms 100:5, Psalms 105:5, Psalms 111:2, Psalms 118:22, Psalms 139:14, Psalms 145:6, Psalms 145:17, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 33:22, Isaiah 45:21, Daniel 4:2, Daniel 6:20, Daniel 9:11, Hosea 14:9, Micah 7:20, Zephaniah 3:5, Zechariah 9:9, John 1:17, Hebrews 3:5, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:10, Revelation 11:17, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 14:8, Revelation 16:5, Revelation ”
- 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; ”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.5: more recently been subjected. Still his verbal criticisms are neither few nor unimportant, though he lays comparatively little stress upon them himself. 5 5 The reader is referred, for full information on this subject, to a small volume entitled, “The Merits of Calvin as an Interpreter of the Holy Scriptures,” by Professor Tholuck of Halle. To which are added, “Opinions and Testimonies of Foreign and British Divines and Scholars as to the Importance of the Writings of John Calvin.” With a Preface by the Revelation William Pringle. ”