The Epistles to the Hebrews

Appendix  139

Typology Readings, continued

are wont to appear in the current speech of a people; and it rarely if ever happens that words are employed, in respect to topics requiring theological treatment, with such precision and uniformity as to enable us, from this source alone, to attain to proper accuracy and fullness.

The word type ( typos ) forms no exception to this usage.

Occurring once, at least, in the natural sense of mark or impress made by a hard substance on one of softer material (John 20.25)

It commonly bears the general import of model , pattern , or exemplar , but with such a wide diversity of application as to comprehend a material object of worship, or idol (Acts 7.43)

An external framework constructed for the service of God (Acts 7.44; Heb. 8.5)

The form or copy of an epistle (Acts 23.25)

A method of doctrinal instruction delivered by the first heralds and teachers of the Gospel (Rom. 7.17)

A representative character , or, in certain respects, normal example (Rom. 5.14; 1 Cor. 10.11; Phil. 3.17; 1 Thess. 1.7; 1 Pet. 5.3)

Such in the New Testament Scriptures is the diversified use of the word type (disguised, however, under other terms in the authorized version).

~ Patrick Fairbairn, Typology of Scripture . Grand Rapids: Kregel Publishing. p. 42

Extreme Misuse of Typology Is Very Possible We marvel with peculiar awe at the ability and agility which some well-meaning brethren display in seeing what is not there; as also we marvel, with a sense of our denseness, at the super-spirituality which they evince in aerifying the most unsuspicious details of Scripture into rare spiritual significances. The “three white baskets” which Pharaoh’s ill-fated baker dreamed were on his head are to ourselves part of a true story; but to see in those same three basket recondite bearings upon the doctrine of the Trinity makes one part of our mind laugh and another part groan. We feel the same sort of reaction when we are assured that the bride’s