Evaluating the Use of Extrabiblical Examples in Worship
Evaluating the Use of Extrabiblical Examples in Worship
The use of extrabiblical examples in worship refers to the practice of drawing on sources outside the Bible to inform and shape Christian worship. This can include examples from church history, the lives of saints, or cultural practices. The question is whether such examples are valid and useful in worship.
The Bible itself provides examples of using extrabiblical sources to inform faith and practice. For instance, the apostle Paul uses the example of the Israelites in the wilderness to caution the Corinthian church against idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). The writer of Hebrews also uses examples from Jewish history to encourage perseverance in faith [7].
In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate example for Christian living. His life and teachings are held up as a model for believers to follow (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15) [1]. The apostles also use Christ's example to encourage believers to live lives of love, humility, and self-denial (Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 2:5-8) [2].
The early Christian church continued this practice, drawing on the examples of Christ and the apostles, as well as the history of Israel, to shape their worship and practice. The use of extrabiblical examples is not limited to biblical history; the early church fathers often drew on the cultural and philosophical context of their time to inform their understanding of Christianity [3].
However, the use of extrabiblical examples in worship is not without controversy. Some traditions have been cautious about drawing on sources outside the Bible, fearing that this may lead to a watering down of biblical teaching or the introduction of unbiblical practices. Others have seen the value in using extrabiblical examples to illustrate biblical principles and to provide a richer understanding of the Christian faith.
In evaluating the use of extrabiblical examples in worship, it is essential to consider the biblical teaching on the matter. The Bible emphasizes the importance of holding to the truth and being guided by the Spirit in worship (John 4:24) [4]. It also encourages believers to follow the example of Christ and to learn from the experiences of others (1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7).
The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the importance of biblical teaching in shaping worship and practice. They note that true religion is characterized by a forgiving spirit and a desire to follow God's will (Proverbs 19:11; Ezekiel 11:19) [5, 6].
Sources
- 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: 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 ”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, BOOK II, section 50: some of these laws, though generally excellent in their kind, be properly now found either in the copies of the Jewish Pentateuch, or in Philo, or in Josephus himself, before he became a Nazarene or Ebionite Christian; nor even all of them among the laws of catholic Christianity themselves. I desire, therefore, the learned reader to consider, whether some of these improvements or interpretations might not be peculiar to the Essens among the Jews, or rather to the Nazarenes or Ebionites among the Christians, though we have indeed but imperfe”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 19:11: (Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mat 5:22-24).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 11:19: I will give them--lest they should claim to themselves the praise given them in Eze 11:18, God declares it is to be the free gift of His Spirit. one heart--not singleness, that is, uprightness, but oneness of heart in all, unanimously seeking Him in contrast to their state at that time, when only single scattered individuals sought God (Jer 32:39; Zep 3:9) [HENGSTENBERG]. Or, "content with one God," not distracted with "the many detestable things" (Eze 11:18; Kg1 18:21; Hos 10:2) [CALVIN]. new spirit-- (Psa 51:10; Jer 31:33). Realized fully in th”
- 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”