Distinguishing Biblical Truth from Extrabiblical Examples Theologically
Biblical truth is understood as God's self-revelation, which has been committed to writing in the Scriptures [1]. This truth is contrasted with falsehood and is characterized by fidelity and truthfulness [3]. The Scriptures are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, intended for the accurate preservation and propagation of truth [1].
The concept of "truth" in Scripture is multifaceted. It can refer to that which is opposed to falsehood, as seen in Proverbs 12:17, 19 [3]. It also signifies fidelity or truthfulness, as in Isaiah 59:14, 15 and Jeremiah 7:28 [3]. The doctrine of Christ is specifically called "the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2:5) and simply "the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4) [3]. Jesus himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6) [3].
Distinguishing biblical truth from extrabiblical examples involves discerning between doctrines that align with Christ's teachings and those that do not [4]. The apostle Paul warns against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" that differ from the one faith in Jesus Christ [5, 10]. These "strange" doctrines are foreign to the truth [5]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that "divers" doctrines can refer to various rites and ceremonies of the law, traditions of elders, or doctrines of men, contrasting them with the uniform doctrine of the Scriptures [10].
The importance of adhering to biblical truth is emphasized throughout Scripture. Hypocrites are described as those who regard tradition more than the word of God [2]. Believers are called to "buy the truth, and sell it not," referring to evangelical truth, the word of truth, and the Gospel of salvation [6]. This truth comes from God, has Christ as its substance, and is guided by the Spirit of truth [6]. It stands in opposition to the errors of false teachers and anything fictitious or contrary to the Gospel [6].
Christians are encouraged to "approve things that are excellent" or "try things that differ," distinguishing between morality and grace, earthly and heavenly things, and the doctrines of men versus the doctrines of Christ [9]. This process involves examining what is right and best to choose and prefer [9]. Erring from the truth can mean departing from Christ, the Scriptures, or the Gospel, embracing notions contrary to them [7]. Therefore, the consistent teaching of the apostles and the unified message of Scripture serve as the benchmark for discerning biblical truth from other teachings [4, 8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hypocrites — God knows and detects -- Isa 29:15,16. Christ knew and detected -- Mt 22:18. God has no pleasure in -- Isa 9:17. Shall not come before God -- Job 13:16. Described as Wilfully blind. -- Mt 23:17,19,26. Vile. -- Isa 32:6. Self-righteous. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Covetous. -- Eze 33:31; 2Pe 2:3. Ostentatious. -- Mt 5:2,5,16; 23:5. Censorious. -- Mt 7:3-5; Lu 13:14,15. Regarding tradition more than the word of God. -- Mt 15:1-3. Exact in minor, but neglecting important duties. -- Mt 23:23,24. Having but a form of godliness. -- 2Ti 3:5. Seeking only outward pur”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Truth — Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5), "the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6).”
- 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 (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”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 23:23: Buy the truth, and sell it not,.... Evangelical truth, the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, which comes from the God of truth; has Christ, who is the truth, for the stem and substance of it; men are directed and led into it by the Spirit of truth; the whole matter of it is truth; truth, in opposition to the law, that was typical and shadowy; to the errors of false teachers, to everything that is fictitious, or another Gospel; and to that which is a lie, for no lie is of the truth: there are several particular doctrines of the Gospel which are so called; thos”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 5:19: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth,.... Either from Christ, who is the truth, by departing from him, forsaking his ways, worship, and ordinances; or from the Scriptures of truth, not speaking according to them, and embracing notions that are contrary unto them; or from the Gospel, the word of truth, from the doctrine of faith, and from uprightness of life and conversation, after having made a profession of Christianity; for this is to be understood of one who has embraced the Christian religion, become a member of a church, and has walked in the path of trut”
- 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”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:10: That ye may approve things that are excellent,.... Or "try things that differ". There are some things that differ one from other; as morality and grace, earthly things, and heavenly things, carnal and spiritual, temporal and eternal things, law and Gospel, the doctrines of men, and the doctrines of Christ; all which differ as much as chaff and wheat, as gold, silver, precious stones, and wood, hay, stubble. These are to be tried and proved; they are not to be received without distinction, but should be examined, which is right and best to be chosen and preferred;”
- 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”