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Definition:
Typology is a form of interpretation in which one person, event or object is seen
as foreshadowing a later on. A common example of typology occurs in Christianity,
where Christian interpreters read the Old Testament as filled with foreshadowing
of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
For example, Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22 ) is seen as a "type" of the sacrificial death of Jesus, or the Israelite's crossing of the Red Sea is read as a "type" of baptism, like that later performed by John the Baptist on Jesus.
Christian use of typology rests upon two assumptions: first, that God is unchanging and second, that all of God's actions have been leading directly to Jesus Christ and his ministry. Jews who reject the latter assumption can readily find typology to be a bit offensive - however, many Christian scholars continue to not only regard it as a legitimate form of exegesis, but in fact as superior to allegory because the latter tends to exclude the plain meaning of the text.
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Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
