Typology

1. Type – when something in history points forward to something else in the future An event, thing or person in the OT which has its own meaning but at the same time prefigures event, things and people in the future

b. The study of types is called typology b. The study of types is called typology c. Typology is one of our most important tools for understanding the OT c. Typology is one of our most important tools for understanding the OT d. Typology is a kind of analogy – explaining the new in terms of the old d. Typology is a kind of analogy – explaining the new in terms of the old Using what is familiar to understand the unfamiliar Using what is familiar to understand the unfamiliar

Typology is one of our most important tools for understanding the Christian life

When Christians look at the OT, we see things that point forward to the NT and other events in the OT Some are simply predictions OT prophets predicted the coming of Christ, and the sufferings he would endure for our salvation Moses was a type of Jesus

Moses Jesus Was a prophet called by God Was a prophet called by God Led Gods people out of slavery Led Gods people out of slavery Worked wonders and signs Worked wonders and signs Was rejected by the leaders Was rejected by the leaders OTs greatest prophet OTs greatest prophet Was a prophet called by God Was a prophet called by God Led Gods people from the slavery of sin Led Gods people from the slavery of sin Worked wonders and signs Worked wonders and signs Rejected by the leaders of the Jewish people Rejected by the leaders of the Jewish people NTs greatest prophet NTs greatest prophet

Other types in the OT Abrahams sacrifice of Isaac was a type of Fathers sacrifice of Jesus Abrahams sacrifice of Isaac was a type of Fathers sacrifice of Jesus Passover meal was a type of Eucharist Passover meal was a type of Eucharist Jonah in the whale for 3 days was a type of Jesus in the tomb Jonah in the whale for 3 days was a type of Jesus in the tomb

This doesnt mean that the story in the OT has no meaning by itself But, we can use the story as an analogy to help us understand Christ But, we can use the story as an analogy to help us understand Christ Because God is the author of Scripture, the analogy is NOT an accident Because God is the author of Scripture, the analogy is NOT an accident It shows us that God never changes and unfolds His plan to save us It shows us that God never changes and unfolds His plan to save us God introduces us to new ideas in ways we can already understand God introduces us to new ideas in ways we can already understand

Can see types and typology outside of Scripture Where? Where? Some are expressly Christian, others have Christian themes in them Some are expressly Christian, others have Christian themes in them

What are these themes? Story of Salvation and/or Christian spirituality Story of Salvation and/or Christian spirituality God loves God loves We sin and are lost We sin and are lost God forgives and saves God forgives and saves