Preachers' Use of Extrabiblical Illustrations in Sermons
The Use of Extrabiblical Illustrations in Sermons: A Biblical and Historical Perspective
Preachers have long used illustrations to convey biblical truths and make their sermons more engaging. The use of extrabiblical illustrations, or examples drawn from outside the Bible, has been a topic of discussion among Christian traditions. To understand this practice, it's essential to examine its biblical roots and historical development.
The Bible itself provides examples of using extrabiblical illustrations. For instance, Jesus used parables, which often drew on everyday life and cultural practices, to teach spiritual truths [1]. The apostle Paul also used examples from everyday life, such as the athletic contest (1 Cor 9:24-27) and the relationship between a husband and wife (Eph 5:22-33), to illustrate biblical principles.
In the Old Testament, prophets like Ezekiel used imagery and metaphors drawn from their surroundings to convey God's message. Ezekiel's vision of the temple, for example, includes detailed descriptions of the priests' garments and their significance (Ezek 44:19) [2, 4]. The use of such imagery helped to convey complex spiritual concepts to the Israelites.
The early Christian church continued this tradition. Preachers like John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, used extrabiblical illustrations to explain biblical concepts. For example, Gill interprets the "garments of salvation" in Psalm 132:14 as referring to the doctrine of salvation by Christ, which ministers are to proclaim [3].
Different Christian traditions have approached the use of extrabiblical illustrations in varying ways. The Reformed tradition, represented by commentators like Calvin, emphasizes the importance of biblical fidelity in preaching. Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the need for preachers to be mindful of their audience and to avoid using illustrations that might be misunderstood [6].
In contrast, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the importance of purity and decency in worship, including the use of illustrations. Clarke notes that the garments of the high priest were emblematical of spiritual things, but cautions against speculation about their exact meaning [5].
The use of extrabiblical illustrations can be seen in various biblical and historical contexts. The biblical examples of Jesus and Paul demonstrate the value of using everyday illustrations to convey spiritual truths. The historical development of this practice, as seen in the writings of early Christian commentators and preachers, highlights the ongoing importance of using illustrations in preaching.
The key to effective use of extrabiblical illustrations lies in balancing biblical fidelity with cultural relevance. Preachers must be mindful of their audience and ensure that their illustrations serve to illuminate, rather than obscure, the biblical text. As the apostle Paul notes, the goal of preaching is to proclaim the gospel in a way that is clear and understandable to all (1 Cor 14:1-5) [7].
Sources
- 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”
- Ezekiel “When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister, and lay them in the holy rooms; and they shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments. -- Ezekiel 44:19”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 132:14: I will also clothe her priests with salvation,.... With the garments of salvation, as the Targum; in answer to the petition, Psa 132:9; but more is promised than prayed for, "salvation" including "righteousness" and all other blessings; and may be interpreted, as there, either of the ministers of the Gospel clothed with the doctrine of salvation by Christ, coming forth full fraught with it, openly publishing and proclaiming it; salvation being made public and manifest by them as a garment, as Aben Ezra observes: moreover Gospel ministers are instruments of saving ot”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:19: And when they go forth into the utter court,.... Out of the inner court where they minister, when they have done their service: even into the utter court to the people; out of the church into the world, where the people are, doing their business, whether good men or bad: they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers; the north and south chambers; See Gill on Eze 42:13, Eze 42:14, and they shall put on other garments; which are their outward conversation garments, which are proper to appear in before men, for the h”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 28:42: Linen breeches - This command had in view the necessity of purity and decency in every part of the Divine worship, in opposition to the shocking indecency of the pagan worship in general, in which the priests often ministered naked, as in the sacrifices to Bacchus, etc. On the garments of the high priest some general reflections have already been made; see Exo 28:2 (note): and to what is there said it may be just necessary to add, that there can be no doubt of their being all emblematical of spiritual things; but of which, and in what way, no man can positively say”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 16.13: mistake to connect this statement of the Prophet with that passage in the Apostle Peter, as if Isaiah represented God as desirous to obtain disciples who had divested themselves of all pride, and were like infants lately weaned; for the Prophet, on the contrary, loudly complains, that to “teach doctrine” is useless, and merely provokes ridicule among stupid and senseless persons, who are “children, not in malice, but in understanding,” as Paul speaks. ( 1 Corinthians 14:20 .) From what follows it will more clearly appear that, since they wer”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for ”