Using Non-Biblical Examples to Illustrate God's Character Biblically
The character of God is primarily revealed through scripture, but non-biblical examples can serve to illustrate these divine attributes. These illustrations often draw from human experiences and relationships to help believers grasp spiritual truths.
One prominent aspect of God's character is His liberality, which is pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 13:16). God never forgets acts of generosity (Hebrews 6:10). Christ Himself set an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9), and it is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 112:9; Isaiah 32:8). This liberality should be exercised in service to God (Exodus 35:21-29), toward other saints (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10), servants (Deuteronomy 15:12-14), the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11; Isaiah 58:7), strangers (Leviticus 25:35), and even enemies (Proverbs 25:21). It extends to all people (Galatians 6:10), leading to acts of giving to those in want (Matthew 5:42), almsgiving (Luke 12:33), and relieving the destitute (Isaiah 58) [1]. Non-biblical examples of selfless giving, such as a parent sacrificing for a child or a community rallying to support those in need, can illustrate this divine liberality.
God's compassion is another attribute that can be illuminated through human experience. The compassion of God is a motive for believers to show compassion to others (Matthew 13:27, 33) [2]. This includes exercising compassion toward the afflicted (Job 6:14; Hebrews 13:3), the chastened (Isaiah 22:4; Jeremiah 9:1), enemies (Psalm 35:13), the poor (Proverbs 19:17), the weak (2 Corinthians 11:29; Galatians 6:2), and fellow saints (1 Corinthians 12:25, 26) [2]. Such compassion is inseparable from love for God (1 John 3:17; John 4:20) [2]. Stories of individuals demonstrating profound empathy and care for others, especially those suffering or marginalized, can serve as echoes of God's own compassionate nature. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) and the father welcoming his prodigal son (Luke 15:20) are biblical illustrations of this, and similar non-biblical narratives can function similarly [2].
Sincerity is also a characteristic of God, exemplified by Christ (1 Peter 2:22) [3]. Ministers are called to be examples of sincerity (Titus 2:7), which stands in opposition to fleshly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12) [3]. Sincerity should characterize believers' love for God (2 Corinthians 8:8, 24), love for Christ (Ephesians 6:24), service to God (Joshua 24:14; John 4:23, 24), faith (1 Timothy 1:5), and love for one another (Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:18) [3]. It should permeate one's entire conduct (2 Corinthians 1:12) and the preaching of the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) [3]. While the gospel itself is characterized by sincerity (1 Peter 2:2), it can sometimes be preached without it (Philippians 1:16) [3]. The wicked, however, are devoid of sincerity (Psalm 5:9) [3]. Instances of genuine, unfeigned devotion or transparent honesty in human relationships can reflect this divine attribute.
Humility is another divine trait, with Christ serving as the ultimate example (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14, 15; Philippians 2:5-8) [4]. It is necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 34:2) [4]. Those who possess humility are regarded by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), heard by Him (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15), are delivered by Him (Job 22:29), lifted up by Him (James 4:10), and exalted by Him (Luke 14:11; 18:14) [4]. They are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28) and receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [4]. Humility precedes honor (Proverbs 15:33) and leads to riches, honor, and life (Proverbs 22:4) [4]. Examples of leaders or individuals who demonstrate profound humility in their service to others, rather than seeking personal glory, can illustrate this aspect of God's character.
The concept of God's image in humanity (Genesis 1:26-27) provides a theological basis for using human examples to understand divine characteristics [9]. Humans bear God's image, endowed with dignity and charged with ruling [9]. While sin has corrupted this image (Psalm 58:3; Romans 1:18-32) [5, 6], aspects of God's character can still be seen in human virtues. Christ is described as the "image" and "glory of God" (Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 11:7), being the exact likeness and perfect representative of God [7, 8]. Therefore, when humans exhibit virtues that align with Christ's character, they are, in a sense, reflecting the divine image, even if imperfectly.
Sources
- 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: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- 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: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- 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).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:7: Argument, also, from man's more immediate relation to God, and the woman's to man. he is . . . image . . . glory of God--being created in God's "image," first and directly: the woman, subsequently, and indirectly, through the mediation of man. Man is the representative of God's "glory" this ideal of man being realized most fully in the Son of man (Psa 8:4-5; compare Co2 8:23). Man is declared in Scripture to be both the "image," and in the "likeness," of God (compare Jam 3:9). But "image" alone is applied to the Son of God (Col 1:15; compare H”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 8:5: 8:5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God: Humans bear God’s image; the Lord has endowed humans with dignity and charged them to rule (Gen 1:26-27). Hebrews 2:6-8 applies these words to Jesus Christ, the ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes.”