Using Secular Examples Without Idolizing Creation in Ministry
In Christian ministry, the use of secular examples and illustrations is a common practice, but it requires careful discernment to avoid idolizing creation or diminishing God's unique role. Ministers are called to be examples to the flock, not lords over God's heritage [1]. Their teaching should focus on the truths and duties of the gospel, avoiding fables and endless genealogies that generate questions rather than godly edification [2, 8].
The Bible itself provides a framework for understanding the appropriate use of examples. Christ is presented as the ultimate example of sincerity [3]. Ministers are also expected to be examples in their conduct [3]. However, their role is that of a minister, an instrument used by God, not a lord of faith or an author of religion [9, 10]. The apostle Paul emphasized that ministers are merely servants through whom people come to believe, as the Lord enables each person [10].
The danger of idolizing creation arises when human achievements, wisdom, or cultural elements are elevated to a status that rivals God's glory. The Bible consistently teaches that all humanity is born sinful [4], and sin involves a preference for the creature over the Creator [5]. God's anger is a necessary response to sin, which includes the suppression of truth by unrighteousness [6]. Therefore, any example drawn from the secular world must be presented in a way that points back to God as the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and goodness, rather than celebrating human autonomy or achievement as an end in itself.
Ministers must ensure that their examples do not inadvertently promote "fleshly wisdom" over divine truth [3]. The focus should remain on Christ, through whom believers are claimed by God [7]. While secular examples can illustrate spiritual principles, they should always be subservient to the gospel message and never detract from the unique authority and sovereignty of God.
Sources
- I Peter “I Peter 5:3 (Webster) — Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (KJV) — Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”
- 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; ”
- 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.”
- 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 (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 2:15: The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself. I. The matter of ministers' teaching: These thing, namely, those before mentioned: not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties of the gospel, of avoiding sin, and living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Observe, Ministers in their preaching must keep close to the word of God. If any man speak, let him speak as”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:24: Not for that we have dominion,.... Since he had spoke of "sparing" of them, lest it should be thought that he and his fellow ministers assumed to themselves any tyrannical power over the churches, or lorded it over God's heritage, these words are subjoined: in which there is something denied of the ministers of the Gospel, as that they have not dominion over your faith: by which may be meant both the grace and doctrine of faith: they cannot give or produce in the heart the grace of faith; that is the gift of God; of which Christ is not only the object, but th”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:5: Here the apostle instructs them how to cure this humour, and rectify what was amiss among them upon this head, I. By reminding them that the ministers about whom they contended were but ministers: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed? Even as the Lord gave to every man, Co1 3:5. They are but ministers, mere instruments used by the God of all grace. Some of the factious people in Corinth seem to have made more of them, as if they were lords of their faith, authors of their religion. Note, We should take care not to deify mi”