Biblical Typology
Biblical Typology is reading persons, events, and institutions in God's earlier works as patterns fulfilled without being erased in Christ.[1]
Pattern and fulfillment
Typology discerns a unity in God's saving plan: creation, the flood, exodus, manna, kingdom, temple, sacrifice, and other realities can prefigure Christ, the Church, the sacraments, or final glory. A type is a real earlier reality, not merely a verbal prediction.
The New Testament itself reasons typologically, presenting Christ as a new Adam and Passover lamb and baptism in relation to the flood and exodus. Patristic preaching and the liturgy extend this scriptural practice.
Safeguards
A Christian fulfillment does not deprive the Old Testament event of its historical and revelatory value. Typology should grow from the text, the canonical relationship of the Testaments, and the Church's rule of faith rather than from arbitrary resemblance.[2]
Typology differs from claiming that every detail is a secret symbol. Responsible interpretation begins with the literal sense and recognizes the continuing integrity of Israel's Scriptures.
References
- Back to citation Catechism: Typology — Paragraphs 128–130.
- Back to citation Dei Verbum — Sections 15–16 on the unity and distinct value of the Testaments.