The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

What Are the Boundaries Here?

The Book of Hebrews in the NT for many is all the justification needed for the proper use of the typological method to discern how the OT reveals and discloses the true nature of the Messiah and his work of redemption in the world. The analogies given between the Tabernacle, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and many other OT characters and symbols reveal a true relationship between them and the person and ministry of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the history of Israel. Jesus is seen in Hebrews, in fact, as the actual body and substance of the things which were only prefigured and seen through type and analogy in the OT. Even those who employ this method, however, are concerned with one very present problem: how does one avoid seeing connections and linkages regarding the Messiah in every image, metaphor, and story in the OT? In other words, does such a method give us license to probe everything in the OT with the intent of finding Christ in it, and if so, how do we prevent wrong and misguided interpretations of the OT all done in the spirit of seeking to identify Christ in the story, image, prophecy, or event?

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The Promise Clarified

Segment 1: The History of God’s People as Type and Analogy

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

The simple definition of type is “an object, event, happening, image, or reality that prefigures in the OT a reality in the NT, usually focused on Jesus Christ (as its antitype).” The typological approach of the study of the OT Scriptures as related to the revelation of Christ was the method employed by both Jesus and his apostles, and makes clear the Bible’s own connection of many representations and images in both testaments. The major aspects of biblical types suggest that types (and their antitypes) are historically real, they illumine the person and work of Christ, true types of the OT are always contained in the NT, they are connected to God’s redemptive work in Christ, and they illumine the teaching of God on the matter they cover. Using typology in biblical hermeneutics must be done properly, focusing on Christ as connections are drawn between the Old and New Testaments, appreciating the relevance of the type through the antitype . The experience of Israel, the descendants of Abraham and the people of God, represent an analogy which can help us understand the larger relationship of God with all of the redeemed through

Summary of Segment 1