Using Non-Biblical Examples in Teaching and Ministry

The use of non-biblical examples in teaching and ministry is a practice that requires careful consideration, particularly concerning its alignment with "sound words" and "godliness" ^{[3, 8]}. While the Bible itself provides numerous examples for instruction, the question arises whether external illustrations can serve a similar purpose without compromising biblical fidelity.

The New Testament emphasizes the importance of adhering to sound doctrine. Paul warns against those who "teach other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness" ^{[3, 8]}. He also cautions against "stories and endless genealogies" that lead to "arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith" ^[9]. John Gill interprets "other doctrine" as teaching different from what the apostle had taught, including matters of conduct like the duty of servants to masters, which false teachers often undermined ^[13]. This suggests that any teaching, biblical or otherwise, must align with the core principles of Christian faith and practice.

The Bible frequently uses examples to illustrate virtues and vices. Christ himself is presented as the ultimate example in various aspects: sincerity ^[1], intercessory prayer ^[2], liberality ^[4], and self-denial ^[5]. Ministers are also called to be examples to the flock ^[6]. These biblical examples serve as models for believers to emulate. For instance, Christ's sincerity is noted in 1 Peter 2:22, and ministers are exhorted to be examples of sincerity in Titus 2:7 ^[1]. Similarly, Christ's intercessory prayer is seen in Luke 22:32 and John 17:9-24, and believers are commanded to engage in intercessory prayer for various groups, including kings, ministers, and all saints ^[2].

The concept of "sin" is frequently illustrated in scripture through human actions and their consequences. All human beings are born sinners, and while the godly fight against their sinful nature, the wicked indulge it ^[10]. Sin is described as rebellion ^[12], and the first sin of Adam and Eve is characterized as "a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters—a preference of the creature to the Creator" ^[11]. These biblical narratives provide concrete examples of sin and its nature.

When considering non-biblical examples, the key lies in their ability to illuminate biblical truths without distorting them. If an external example helps to clarify a concept like sincerity, liberality, or the nature of sin, and does so in a way that is consistent with "the teaching that is in accordance with godliness" ^[3], it might be deemed acceptable. However, if such examples distract from the "basic principles of God’s word" or lead to "arguings" rather than faith ^{[7, 9]}, they would be problematic. The concern is not merely the source of the example, but its effect on the understanding and application of biblical truth.

The use of non-biblical examples should always be subservient to the primary goal of teaching "sound words" ^[3]. The emphasis is on the content and its alignment with Christ's teachings and godliness, rather than on the origin of the illustrative material itself.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (LEB) — If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
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 ”
I Peter “I Peter 5:3 (Webster) — Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
Hebrews “Hebrews 5:12 (BSB) — Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!”
1 Timothy “If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, -- 1 Timothy 6:3”
I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (Rotherham) — Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith;—”
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).”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
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”

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