Using Secular Examples in Bible Study Undermines Authority
The use of secular examples in Bible study is a debated topic among Christian scholars and theologians. Some argue that it undermines the authority of Scripture, while others see it as a valuable tool for understanding and applying biblical principles.
In biblical interpretation, the use of secular examples can be seen as a way to illustrate spiritual truths. For instance, the commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:15 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown encourages readers to use their own judgment when evaluating the arguments presented, suggesting that secular reasoning can be employed in biblical interpretation [5].
However, others caution that relying too heavily on secular examples can lead to a watering down of biblical authority. According to Calvin, the Bible is the ultimate authority, and its teachings should not be compromised by external influences [6].
The Bible itself contains examples of using secular or cultural references to convey spiritual truths. For example, the Psalmist uses the concept of rebellion to describe sin (Psalms 19:13) [3], while the Apostle Paul draws on Gentile and Jewish contexts to explain the universal nature of sin (Romans 1:18-3:20) [4].
Some traditions interpret the use of secular examples as a means to understand the depth of human sinfulness. The commentary on Genesis 3:13 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown highlights the heinous nature of the first sin, describing it as a love of self and disobedience to God [2]. This understanding is reinforced by other commentaries that emphasize the universal nature of sin, citing passages such as Psalms 51:5 and Romans 7:19-23 [1, 4].
The key issue is not the use of secular examples per se, but rather how they are used in relation to Scripture. When used to illustrate or clarify biblical teachings, secular examples can be a valuable tool. However, when they are used to undermine or contradict biblical authority, they can be seen as problematic.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority. Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the need to understand the biblical text within its own context, rather than imposing external interpretations [6].
Sources
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”