Page 69 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

interpretation and is not subject to the corroborating teachings of the other Scripture. Typology is about
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“the application of an historical fact as an illustration of a spiritual truth.”

What is a Type? According to Webster, a type is “a figure or representation of
something to come. It is therefore prophetic by its character, and we may expect
a considerable contribution from it to the doctrine of Christ. A study of
Christological typology includes about fifty important types of Christ— about half
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of the recognized total in the entire field of typology.” On the other hand,
Walvoord defines typology as that which is “concerned with (1) typical persons;
(2) typical events; (3) typical things; (4) typical institutions; and (5) typical
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ceremonies.”

Radicalisms that Must be Avoided in Typology. For Walvoord, one of the extremes that must be
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avoided is the limitation of typology only to instances that are clearly authorized in the NT. The other
is considering typology in every situation in the OT to the neglect of the exegesis of Scripture and that
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within its context.

Typical Persons.

Aaron
Collaboration of both the OT and NT passages state that the priesthood of Aaron was a direct
representation of that of Christ’s. In Hebrews, we read that the honor of being the high priest was not
something somebody can just take upon himself. Instead, it was a calling from God (Heb. 5:4). Also,
Jesus Christ, being superior over Aaron, was appointed to minister on behalf of His people after the
order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:5-6).

Abel
In John 10, Christ is presented as the great Shepherd due to His care for His sheep. In
the Old Testament, Abel offered the sacrifice which was accepted by God and led to his
death. His brother Cain, as a representative of the world, out of jealously, killed him.
Jesus Christ offered a sacrifice to God on behalf of people’s sins. Therefore, Abel is a type
in that he portrayed the attitude of a true shepherd in his offering and in his death.

Adam
In Romans 5:14, Adam is the representative of the old creation while Jesus Christ is the representative of
the new creation. Through one-man, sin came into the whole world, but through the death of one man,
grace abounded for many (Rom 5:12, 15). So, Adam is called the first Adam, and Jesus Christ is called the
last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45-47). So, Adam is a type in that just like Christ who is the representative of all
those who are being born in spirit; Adam is the representative of all those who are being born in sin.

29 John F. Walvoord, Jesus Christ our Lord (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1969), 62.
nd
30 Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language, 2 ed.
31 Walvoord, Jesus Christ our Lord, 63.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.

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