Evaluating Extrabiblical Examples Without Personal Bias Theologically
Evaluating extrabiblical examples without personal bias involves a careful discernment process, recognizing that human judgment can be flawed and influenced by external factors. Jesus himself stated, "You judge according to externals; I do not judge anyone" (John 8:15 LEB) [1]. This highlights a contrast between human judgment, which often relies on outward appearances or superficial understanding, and divine judgment, which is not subject to such limitations [2].
The challenge for believers is to avoid judging "after the flesh," meaning without spiritual apprehension [2]. This requires a recognition of one's own biases and a commitment to a more objective standard. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 3:10, speaks of deacons being "proved" not through a period of probation, but by a "searching inquiry" to ensure they are "blameless" or "unexceptionable" [8]. This suggests a process of careful investigation and evaluation, rather than relying on initial impressions or personal feelings.
The Bible indicates that God does not need to "regard man long" to bring him into judgment, nor does He require a "searching out" process like human judgments do, because He knows the inner person [5]. John Gill notes that Jesus "needed not that any should testify of man" because he possessed "quick understanding" and could discern between good and bad individuals without external proofs or testimonies [6]. This divine capacity for discernment stands in contrast to human limitations.
When considering extrabiblical examples, the principle of discerning the "working of the Spirit of Christ" can be a guide [4]. This involves assessing whether an example aligns with the character and teachings of Christ, rather than simply conforming to personal preferences or cultural norms. The new covenant, for instance, is described as "very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant," precisely because it enables obedience through the Spirit's inward impulse, producing love and forgiveness [3, 7]. This inward transformation, rather than outward adherence to rules, becomes a key criterion for evaluation.
Sources
- John “John 8:15 (LEB) — You judge according to externals; I do not judge anyone.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 8:15: Ye judge after the flesh--with no spiritual apprehension. I judge no man.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:9: Not according to, &c.--very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant, which only "worked wrath" (Rom 4:15) through man's "not regarding" it. The new covenant enables us to obey by the Spirit's inward impulse producing love because of the forgiveness of our sins. made with--rather as Greek, "made to": the Israelites being only recipients, not coagents [ALFORD] with God. I took them by the hand--as a father takes his child by the hand to support and guide his steps. "There are three periods: (1) that of the promise; (2) that of the pedag”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Harmony of the Law, Vol. 1, section 1.6: these particular Books, which must have been very congenial to him. It was not unnatural that he should take pleasure in soberly and calmly reviewing those doctrines which had so largely exercised his earlier thoughts, and that the distinctive tenets, which are usually associated with his name, and which, as the Article of the Church of England testifies, are “full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ,” should once more pass before him in his latter days,”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 34:23: (Co1 10:13; Lam 3:32; Isa 27:8). Better, as UMBREIT, "He does not (needs not to) regard (as in Job 34:14; Isa 41:20) man long (so Hebrew, Gen 46:29) in order that he may go (be brought by God) into judgment." Literally, "lest his (attention) upon men" (Job 11:10-11). So Job 34:24, "without number" ought to be translated, "without [needing any] searching out," such as has to be made in human judgments.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 2:24: And needed not that any should testify of man,.... Of this or the other man, that he was a good or a bad man; he needed no proofs to be made, or testimonies bore, or evidence given of men's characters and actions; he was of quick understanding, and could distinguish at once between a wicked man and a good man; and so had the characteristic which the Jews require of the Messiah; for they rejected Bar Cozba from being the Messiah, and slew him, because he could not smell, referring to Isa 11:3, or discern a bad man from a good man (n); but this Jesus could do, without any”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 31:32: Not . . . the covenant that I made with . . . fathers--the Old Testament covenant, as contrasted with our gospel covenant (Heb 8:8-12; Heb 10:16-17, where this prophecy is quoted to prove the abrogation of the law by the gospel), of which the distinguishing features are its securing by an adequate atonement the forgiveness of sins, and by the inworking of effectual grace ensuring permanent obedience. An earnest of this is given partially in the present eclectic or elect Church gathered out of Jews and Gentiles. But the promise here to Israel in the ”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:10: "And moreover," &c. [ALFORD]. be proved--not by a period of probation, but by a searching inquiry, conducted by Timothy, the ordaining president (Ti1 5:22), whether they be "blameless"; then when found so, "let them act as deacons." blameless--Greek, "unexceptionable"; as the result of public investigation unaccused [TITTMANN].”