Biblical Typology: Basic Principles of InterpretationRichard M. Davidson, Ph.D.

Common reactions to typology1. Oh no! -- Skepticism 2. Give me more! Enthusiasm3. Whats that? -- Uncertainty

Importance of biblical typologyLeonard Goppelt: typology is the central and distinctive NT way of understanding the Gospel. . .it is the decisive interpretation of Jesus, the Gospel, and the Church. . . . According to its NT core typology is theologically constitutive for an understanding of the Gospel. (TDNT 8:255).

Importance of biblical typologyRobert M. Grant (church historian): the New Testament method of interpreting the OT is generally that of typology.

E. Earle Ellis: typological interpretation expresses most clearly the basic attitude of primitive Christianity toward the OT.

Nature of biblical typologyMark W. Karlberg: resolution of lingering differences of interpretation among evangelicals depends, to a large extent, on a proper assessment of the nature and function of Old Testament typology.

Nature of biblical typology Traditional Understanding: Typology is the study of persons, events, or institutions which God has divinely designed to prefigure (point forward to) the eschatological (end time) fulfillment in Christ or the Gospel realities brought about by Christ.

Nature of biblical typologyPost-critical Understanding: Typology is the retrospective recognition of parallel situations between OT and NT, based upon common human way of analogical thinking or the consistent activity of God in history, with little or no predictive elementE.g.: Napoleons Battle of Waterloo

Nature of biblical typologyHow does one determine which view is correct?Without imposing ones definition upon the Biblical textAllowing the definition to emerge from the textPersonal experience

Nature of biblical typologyKey term: typos = English term type Typos appears 20 times in the NTTypos used in five NT passages where the NT writer is interpreting the OT, and labels his interpretation as typos (or antitypos)Here we can be sure typology exists, because the NT writer identifies it as such

Nature of biblical typology5 passages about typos!

1. Romans 5:14Typos The typos of Christ was Adam.

Nature of biblical typology5 passages about typos!

2. 1 Cor. 10:6, 11Typoi Exodus events are types of the church.

Nature of biblical typology5 passages about typos!

3. 1 Pet. 3:21Antitypos antitype (anti in Greek can also mean corresponding to Therefore it is corresponding to the type.) Baptism is corresponding to the flood.

Nature of biblical typology5 passages about typos!

4. Heb. 8:5Typos referring to the earthly/heavenly sanctuary relationship.

Nature of biblical typology5 passages about typos!

5. Heb. 9:24Antitypos - referring to the earthly/heavenly sanctuary relationship.

The antitype is the fulfillment of the type.

Characteristics of Biblical Typology1. Historical elementHistorical realities: persons (Adam), events (Flood, Exodus), institutions (sanctuary)Historical correspondence of basic contours between type and antitypeIntensification between type and antitype

Characteristics of Biblical Typology2. Prophetic ElementAdvance presentation or prefigurationDivine designMust-needs-be aspect (Greek dei and anagk)

Characteristics of Biblical Typology3. Christological/soteriological elementNot just bare historical realities, but salvific realitiesFulfilled in Christ or salvation realities brought about by ChristChrist is the ultimate orientation point of types and their antitypical fulfillment

Characteristics of Biblical Typology4. Ecclesiological elementIndividual worshipersCorporate communitySacraments (Lords Supper or Baptism)

Characteristics of Biblical Typology5. Eschatological elementInaugurated (Christs First Advent)Appropriated (era of the Church)Consummated (not yet--Apocalyptic end time)

The Basic Elements of Biblical Typology: Illustrated by Mr. TyposTypos and antitypos are historical realities. The typos (hollow mold) isnt the original, but based upon a previous design. Divine design.The function of the typos is to be a mold that shapes the end product. Predictive element. The basic contours of the typos and antitypos correspond. Can argue from type to antitype. The antitypos (end product) transcends and is always greater than the typos. Intensification.

Definition of Biblical Typology Typology is the study of salvation historical realities (persons, events, or institutions) which God has divinely designed to prefigure (point forward to) the eschatological (end product) fulfillment in Christ or the Gospel realities brought about by Christ.

Hermeneutical Controls for Biblical Typology--1Identifying the types: the prophetic control

If the type is truly predictive (points forward) then one should recognize before the fulfillment that this is a type. E.g.: Moses Deut. 18:18: God says: I will raise up a Prophet like you [Moses].

Case Study: Sanctuary Typology

The Heavenly Sanctuary Before SinJeremiah 17:12 from the beginningEzekiel 28:14 covering cherub on the holy mountain of GodIsaiah 14:13 mount of the assembly

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary Exodus 25:9 "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary tynIb.T; tabnit: the pattern

God says that He will show Moses on the mountain the tabnit for the sanctuary.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryAnd see to it that you make them according to the pattern (tabnit ) which was shown you on the mountain. Exodus 25:40

The LXX translates tabnit here as typos which means type in our language.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuarytynIb.t; tabnit: the pattern It is a copy of the original that serves as a model for another copy.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryIllustration: 2 Kings 16:10-11, the story of Ahaz.Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the design of the altar and its pattern [tabnit], according to all its workmanship. Then Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryThis tabnit was a miniature model. It was used to make a copy of it in Jerusalem. This is the word that is used in Exodus 25:9, 40. Moses was told to make everything according to the tabnit.He saw on the mountain a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary!

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryGod presented Moses with a miniature model.He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern showed him in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to the most influential of the people. (Spiritual Gifts Volume 4, page 5 )

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryMoses also saw the original heavenly sanctuary:

PP 343 God presented before Moses in the mount a view of the heavenly sanctuary.

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryExodus 24:10 and they [Moses and the 70 elders] saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.Moses saw as much of the vastness and glory of the heavenly sanctuary as it was possible for him to grasp

The linkage between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaryEzekiel 1:26 and 10:1 indicates that Gods throne was made out of sapphire.Ezekiel 28:14 refers to the stones of fire in the heavenly sanctuary, one of which was no doubt sapphire (see v. 13). Maybe Moses on the mountain (Exod 24:10) is seeing one of the pavement stones in the heavenly temple.

Hermeneutical Controls for Biblical Typology--2Extent of typological correspondence:

Focus on the basic contours, not every minute detail of the type.

How does one apply this to the sanctuary typology?

The basic contours of Sanctuary TypologyThose features that are consistent with the different earthly sanctuaries are the basic contours that parallel the heavenly sanctuary

Basic Contours of Sanctuary typologyFour main earthly OT sanctuaries/temples:1. Mosaic tabernacle2. Temple of Solomon3. Second temple (built by Zerubbabel)4. Ezekiels temple (described in Eze 40-48 but never built)

The basic contours of sanctuary typologyAll OT sanctuaries had:1. Three spheres of holy space courtyard, holy place, most holy place

The basic contours of sanctuary typology2. Same proportions (not dimensions), with cube-shaped Most Holy Place.

The basic contours of sanctuary typology3. Same kinds (not number) of articles of furniture

The basic contours of sanctuary typology4. Same order of priests.

The basic contours of sanctuary typology5. Same kinds of sacrifices

The basic contours of sanctuary typologyHebrews 9:2-4 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the Holy Place; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;Heb 8:1-5: priests and sacrifices

Hermeneutical Controls for Biblical Typology--3 The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT types

The basic ground-plan of NT eschatology :1) Hebrews 1:1, 2 says that the last days started (the eschatological fulfillment began) at Jesus first advent. He was the already, the inaugurated eschatology. This is D-Day.

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT types The basic ground-plan of NT eschatology :The Second Advent is the not yet, the consummated eschatology, the end (1 Pet 4:7; 1 Cor 15:24) This is V-E Day.

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT typesThe basic groundwork of NT eschatology :3) The time of tension between the already and the not yet. It is the time of appropriated eschatology in which we appropriate to ourselves what He has worked out by Him. This is the time of the church, where we live today.

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT typesSanctuary Typology:

Inauguration Jesus is the antitypical temple (Matt 12:6; John 2:21).Appropriation--the church is the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16, 17; 2 Cor 6:16). Consummationthe heavenly temple/tabernacle is with men (Rev 21:3)

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT typesAll sanctuary typology has its basic fulfillment in Christ. Our evangelical scholars usually stop at this foundational point. But it is also true that what happened in Jesus is to be fulfilled spiritually in us. We are the body of Christ, our bodies are the temples of God, we are to be His priests, we are to be the light of the world, etc.

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT typesSome non-SDA Christians understand appropriated sanctuary typology but almost all fail to take the third stepconsummated sanctuary typology.. In Heaven there is a real heavenly sanctuary, which overarches all sanctuary typology. Sanctuary typology has a vertical dimension that has been there all along.

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT types

At the end of time, there will be the apocalyptic fulfillment of the sanctuary typology. The tension between earth and heaven, between the already and the not yet, will be resolved. We will enter Gods temple forever!

The three-phase NT fulfillment of the OT typesThe modality of these phases of NT fulfillment, based on the presence of Jesus:Inaugurated: literal and localAppropriated: spiritual and universal Consummated: glorious, final, universal, literal

Conclusion

SDAs have the privilege to preach with joy the full orb of sanctuary typology. It is not only dealing with the already but it focuses on the appropriated (the time of the church now) and the not yet (Gods people united with Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary at the Second Advent and beyond).