Module 11: Interpretation of Symbols and Types
Intrepratation of Symbols and Types
A. Symbolism
1. Symbols have no reference to time, while a type speaks of something in the future.
2. A symbol is a "timeless figurative representation".
3. Those symbols intrepreted by scripture are the foundation for all further studies in symbolism. They are our general guides.
Examples:-Symbols of Daniel and the book of Revelation-The Lamb is the symbol of sacrifice.-Incense is the symbol of prayer.
4. If the symbol is not interpreted:
-Investigate the context-Check other passages
-The nature of the symbol is the clue - salt - preserving agent, lion - agressive, strong, a rod - weapon for good or evil, punishment.-Study of the semitic culture often reveals a symbols meaning
5. Beware of double imagery in symbols. The Lion is used for Jesus and the devil; Sometimes cross-references can be more harmful than helpful.
6. Beware of Numerology - method of manipulating the scriptures.
7. Numbers in scripture do have symbolic meanings:
3 - completion, some, few, many, enough
4 - completeness, blessings, cursings
6 - number of man, 666 number of the beast or antichrist
7 - Covenant of Grace, perfection
10 - indefinite magnitude, perfection
40 - represents a generation
8. The Tabernacle - symbols run throughout it.
-the metals and materials used, the objects, and the colors are all symbols of something heavenly.
Colors:
- Blue - royalty
- Red - blood, sin
- White - purity
- Green - growth, life
- Purple - majesty
Interpretation of Types
A. Justification of Typology as a Biblical Discipline
1. Prophecy binds the two books of the Bible together and since types are a form of prophecy it is not unusual that its use is common.
2. Jesus used the OT as an invitation to find Him as He used types often in this way.
- Lk. 24:25-44; Jn. 5:39-44- OT sacrificial system typifies Christ.- The Tabernacle typifies Christ as pointed out by the writer of Hebrews.
3. The language of the NT describes a typological connection to the OT (typos, typto, skia, parable, eikon, allegoreo) .
B. Schools of Typological Interpretation
1. Those who saw too much - the early church fathers, and the Catholic Church
2. Those that are rationalists. They don't believe typology exists - just forceful exegesis.
3. Those who are "just right" - Marsh's Def. "a type is a type only if the NT specifically so says it to be such."
C. The Difference between Typological and the Allegorical
1. Allegorical interpretation is the interpretation of a document whereby something foreign, peculiar, or hidden is introduced into the meaning of the text giving it a proposed deeper or real meaning.
2. Typological interp. is specifically the interp. of the OT based on the fundamental theological unity of the two Testaments whereby something in the Old shadows, prefigures, adumbrates, something in the New.
D. The Interpretation of Types
1. Note the typology of the New Testament and see how it treats the subject. Stick to the major doctrines, central truths, and moral principles.
2. The Tabernacle, the Wilderness Wanderings are specified as two topics where we are given some liberty to find typical parts.
3. Locate in any given type the typical and the accidental (or what is not part of the essential meaning.)
4. Do not support doctrine from types unless there is clear NT authority to do so. Hebrews is a good example.
E. Kinds of Types:
1. Persons - Adam - Rom. 5:14; Elijah - John the Baptist
2. Institutions - sacrifices are types of the cross. Creation adn the promised land are types of salvation or fulfillment in the things of God.
3. Offices - Moses - the prophet was a type of Christ. David - the king, a type of Christ, Melchizedek - a priest, a type of Christ.
4. Events - Wilderness Wanderings, see I Cor. 10:6,11
5. Actions - lifting up the brazen serpant in the wilderness
6. Things - the tabernacle was a type of the Incarnation, the presense of God with his people, the smoke - His presense and glory.
Question:
Let's venture out a bit. Find for me 2 or 3 symbols and types that are not listed in this lecture. Keep to the interpretation rules.
A. Symbolism
1. Symbols have no reference to time, while a type speaks of something in the future.
2. A symbol is a "timeless figurative representation".
3. Those symbols intrepreted by scripture are the foundation for all further studies in symbolism. They are our general guides.
Examples:-Symbols of Daniel and the book of Revelation-The Lamb is the symbol of sacrifice.-Incense is the symbol of prayer.
4. If the symbol is not interpreted:
-Investigate the context-Check other passages
-The nature of the symbol is the clue - salt - preserving agent, lion - agressive, strong, a rod - weapon for good or evil, punishment.-Study of the semitic culture often reveals a symbols meaning
5. Beware of double imagery in symbols. The Lion is used for Jesus and the devil; Sometimes cross-references can be more harmful than helpful.
6. Beware of Numerology - method of manipulating the scriptures.
7. Numbers in scripture do have symbolic meanings:
3 - completion, some, few, many, enough
4 - completeness, blessings, cursings
6 - number of man, 666 number of the beast or antichrist
7 - Covenant of Grace, perfection
10 - indefinite magnitude, perfection
40 - represents a generation
8. The Tabernacle - symbols run throughout it.
-the metals and materials used, the objects, and the colors are all symbols of something heavenly.
Colors:
- Blue - royalty
- Red - blood, sin
- White - purity
- Green - growth, life
- Purple - majesty
Interpretation of Types
A. Justification of Typology as a Biblical Discipline
1. Prophecy binds the two books of the Bible together and since types are a form of prophecy it is not unusual that its use is common.
2. Jesus used the OT as an invitation to find Him as He used types often in this way.
- Lk. 24:25-44; Jn. 5:39-44- OT sacrificial system typifies Christ.- The Tabernacle typifies Christ as pointed out by the writer of Hebrews.
3. The language of the NT describes a typological connection to the OT (typos, typto, skia, parable, eikon, allegoreo) .
B. Schools of Typological Interpretation
1. Those who saw too much - the early church fathers, and the Catholic Church
2. Those that are rationalists. They don't believe typology exists - just forceful exegesis.
3. Those who are "just right" - Marsh's Def. "a type is a type only if the NT specifically so says it to be such."
C. The Difference between Typological and the Allegorical
1. Allegorical interpretation is the interpretation of a document whereby something foreign, peculiar, or hidden is introduced into the meaning of the text giving it a proposed deeper or real meaning.
2. Typological interp. is specifically the interp. of the OT based on the fundamental theological unity of the two Testaments whereby something in the Old shadows, prefigures, adumbrates, something in the New.
D. The Interpretation of Types
1. Note the typology of the New Testament and see how it treats the subject. Stick to the major doctrines, central truths, and moral principles.
2. The Tabernacle, the Wilderness Wanderings are specified as two topics where we are given some liberty to find typical parts.
3. Locate in any given type the typical and the accidental (or what is not part of the essential meaning.)
4. Do not support doctrine from types unless there is clear NT authority to do so. Hebrews is a good example.
E. Kinds of Types:
1. Persons - Adam - Rom. 5:14; Elijah - John the Baptist
2. Institutions - sacrifices are types of the cross. Creation adn the promised land are types of salvation or fulfillment in the things of God.
3. Offices - Moses - the prophet was a type of Christ. David - the king, a type of Christ, Melchizedek - a priest, a type of Christ.
4. Events - Wilderness Wanderings, see I Cor. 10:6,11
5. Actions - lifting up the brazen serpant in the wilderness
6. Things - the tabernacle was a type of the Incarnation, the presense of God with his people, the smoke - His presense and glory.
Question:
Let's venture out a bit. Find for me 2 or 3 symbols and types that are not listed in this lecture. Keep to the interpretation rules.
posted by dschmaltz | 10:23 AM
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