Full Description
How to Study the Old Testament for Signs of Christ
Believers read Scripture to follow Christ and deepen their relationship with him. But since a majority of the Bible was written before Jesus's life and death on the cross, many people rely on the Old Testament for historical context and moral guidance alone. However, when studied in detail, we see how even the Old Testament reveals Christ as the center of God's plan for redemption.
Biblical Typology examines how the Old Testament foreshadows Christ, the church, and the consummation through types—or symbols—pointing toward fulfillment. Well-known for his academic yet accessible writing, Vern S. Poythress not only provides examples of types and analogies found in God's word but also teaches readers a practical framework and diagram for effectively examining them throughout Scripture. Readers will learn how to identify and interpret biblical typology for themselves as they deepen their understanding of the Bible and the wisdom of God.
Great for Bible Teachers: Teaches pastors, Bible study leaders, and thoughtful lay people how to effectively study biblical typology in the Old Testament
Practical How-To: Not only examines Scripture for examples of Christ in the Old Testament but teaches how readers can find types for themselves
Uses Helpful Tools: Introduces a practical framework and diagram to effectively interpret typology within the Old Testament
Academic yet Accessible: Written by scholar, professor, and author Vern S. Poythress
Contents
Tables and Illustrations
Introduction: What Is Typology?
Part 1: Introducing the Challenge of the Old Testament
Chapter 1: Understanding the Old Testament
Chapter 2: Interpreting Noah's Flood
Chapter 3: The Bronze Serpent (Num. 21:4-9)
Part 2: A Framework for Typological Interpretation
Chapter 4: Basic Theology for Typology
Chapter 5: The Shape of Our Response to the Bible
Part 3: Introducing the Practice of Typological Interpretation
Chapter 6: Introducing Clowney's Triangle
Chapter 7: The Tabernacle and Its Furniture (Exodus 25)
Chapter 8: Clowney's Triangle for Episodes in Genesis
Chapter 9: Underlying Principles for Clowney's Triangle
Part 4: Deepening Our Understanding of Typological Meaning
Chapter 10: Symbolism and Theophany
Chapter 11: The Nature of Meaning
Chapter 12: Three Complementary Perspectives on Meaning
Chapter 13: The Theme of Mediation
Chapter 14: Comparing Types with Other Relations between Meanings
Chapter 15: Analogies, Symbols, Types, and Prophecies as Perspectives
Chapter 16: Allegorization
Part 5: Enrichment of Clowney's Triangle
Chapter 17: Enhancements to Clowney's Triangle
Chapter 18: Multifaceted Meaning
Chapter 19: Boundaries for Typological Interpretation
Chapter 20: Maxims for Typological Interpretation
Part 6: The Practice of Typological Interpretation
Chapter 21: Types in the Mosaic Administration
Chapter 22: Types in Redemptive Plots
Chapter 23: Types in Creation
Chapter 24: Types in the Earthly Life of Jesus
Part 7: Interpretation of Analogies
Chapter 25: Analogies as Similar to Types
Chapter 26: Using the Triangle for Analogy
Chapter 27: Analogies for the Attributes of God
Chapter 28: Analogies for the Trinity
Chapter 29: The Extent of Analogies
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Patrick Fairbairn's Principles for Typology
Appendix B: The Terminology for a "Type"
Appendix C: Distinctiveness in the Study of Typology
Appendix D: Clowney's Triangle of Typology
Appendix E: Christocentric Preaching
Bibliography
General Index
Scripture Index
