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Using Biblical Analogies and Examples to Challenge Assumptions

Biblical analogies and examples serve as significant tools for challenging assumptions, often by presenting familiar concepts in new ways or by illustrating complex theological truths. The Greek word parabole, from which "parable" is derived, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [1]. In the New Testament, this term has a broad application, referring to proverbs, prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or extended metaphors [1, 6].

One prominent area where biblical examples challenge assumptions is the doctrine of original sin. The Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) defines original sin as being "without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with concupiscence" [11]. This inherited corruption means that all human beings are born sinners [7]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that individuals "sinned with their fathers" in Adam, inheriting a corrupt nature and continuing in similar transgressions [10]. Aquinas, representing Catholic scholastic thought, argues that original sin is one in each person, transmitted from the first sin of Adam [8]. Calvin, one theologian, describes original sin as a "complete reformation of all its parts" of the soul, contrasting it with the "old man" [9]. Augustine, a Patristic father, suggested that infants are involved in the guilt not only of Adam and Eve but also of their immediate parents, citing the divine judgment, "I shall visit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children" [12]. The Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion also address original sin, defining it as "the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam" [14]. These various interpretations highlight how different traditions understand the nature and transmission of sin, challenging simplistic assumptions about human innocence or individual culpability.

Beyond theological doctrines, biblical examples also challenge assumptions about human nature and divine interaction. For instance, the concept of humanity's origin and destiny is presented in Ecclesiastes 12:7, stating that "the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" [2]. This challenges assumptions about the ultimate fate of the body and spirit. Similarly, Daniel 5:23 reminds us that God holds our breath and all our ways in His hand, confronting any assumption of absolute human autonomy [3]. The Bible also provides examples of self-denial, with Christ himself serving as the ultimate example (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:38) [4]. This challenges assumptions of self-indulgence as a default human state. Early rising, exemplified by Christ and numerous biblical figures like Abraham and David, is presented as requisite for devotion and daily duties, countering assumptions of laziness or lack of discipline [5].

The use of metaphors in Holy Scripture is fitting because "it is natural to man to attain to intellectual truths through sensible objects, because all our knowledge originates from sense" [13]. This approach allows for spiritual truths to be taught through material likenesses, effectively challenging and reshaping human understanding [13].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ecclesiastes 12:7 cross-references: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Genesis 18:27, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 27:16, Job 4:19, Job 7:21, Job 20:11, Job 34:14, Job 34:15, Psalms 31:6, Psalms 90:3, Psalms 146:4, Ecclesiastes 3:20, Isaiah 57:16, Jeremiah 38:16, Daniel 12:2, Zechariah 12:1, Hebrews 12:9, Hebrews 12:23”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Daniel 5:23 cross-references: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 14:19, Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:1, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, 2 Kings 14:10, Job 12:10, Job 31:4, Job 34:14, Psalms 104:29, Psalms 115:4, Psalms 115:16, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 139:3, Psalms 146:4, Proverbs 20:24, Isaiah 2:12, Isaiah 33:10, Isaiah 37:19, Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:23, Jeremiah 50:28, Jeremiah 50:29, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:5, Ezekiel 28:17, Ezekiel 31:10, Daniel 4:37, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 8:11, Daniel 11:12, Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 2:18, Acts 17:25, Acts 17:28, Romans 1:21, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Timoth”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  8. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of Original Sin, As to Its Essence, Art. 2: Article: Whether there are several original sins in one man? I answer that, In one man there is one original sin. Two reasons may be assigned for this. The first is on the part of the cause of original sin. For it has been stated (Question [81], Article [2]), that the first sin alone of our first parent was transmitted to his posterity. Wherefore in one man original sin is one in number; and in all men, it is one in proportion, i.e. in relation to its first principle. The seco”
  9. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: a description of original sin; The same thing appears more clearly from the mode of renovation. For the spirit, which is contrasted with the old man, and the flesh, denotes not only the grace by which the sensual or inferior part of the soul is corrected, but includes a complete reformation of all its parts ( Eph. 4:23 ). And, accordingly, Paul enjoins not only that gross appetites be suppressed, but that we be renewed in the spirit of our mind ( Eph. 4:23 ), as he elsewhere tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind ( ”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 106:6: We have sinned with our fathers,.... Sinned in their first father Adam; derived a corrupt nature from their immediate ancestors; sinned after the similitude of their transgressions; sinned after their example, in like manner as they did; guilty of the same gross enormities as they were: though sufficiently warned by the words of the prophets, and by punishments inflicted, they continued their sins, a constant series and course of them, and filled up the measure of their iniquities; they rose up in their stead an increase of sinful men, to augment the fierce anger of ”
  11. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article II. Of Original Sin.: Article II. Of Original Sin.”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 46.--IT IS PROBABLE THAT CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED IN THE GUILT NOT ONLY OF THE FIRST PAIR, BUT OF THEIR OWN IMMEDIATE PARENTS.: And it is said, with much appearance of probability, that infants are involved in the guilt of the sins not only of the first pair, but of their own immediate parents. For that divine judgment, "I shall visit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children,"(7) certainly applies to them before they come under the new covenant by regeneration. And it was this new covenant that was prophesied of, when it was said by Ezek”
  13. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), The Nature and Extent of Sacred Doctrine, Art. 9: Article: Whether Holy Scripture should use metaphors? I answer that, It is befitting Holy Writ to put forward divine and spiritual truths by means of comparisons with material things. For God provides for everything according to the capacity of its nature. Now it is natural to man to attain to intellectual truths through sensible objects, because all our knowledge originates from sense. Hence in Holy Writ, spiritual truths are fittingly taught under the likeness of material things. This is wha”
  14. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.: 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.”
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