Typology (theology)

Typology (from gr τύπος ( typos ) = archetype model ) - also called prefiguration - is in the tradition of interpretation of the Bible, the Inbezugsetzung a person or an event from the Old Testament ( sometimes also from ancient mythology or from ancient legends), the Typos, with a person or an event from the New Testament, the antitype. This involves primarily to " promise" and "fulfillment": that which is announced in the Old Testament, completed in the New Testament.

Dissemination and intent of the typology

The typology was particularly in the early Christian period (but also in the Middle Ages ) is a common and popular way interpretation of the Old Testament. Through it should be clear that Christ was really the one to which especially had pointed the prophets. Juxtapositions such as " Just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale, so Christ 's three days in the grave " should prove the truth of the promise.

From this point of view was the Old Testament full of characters that could be interpreted in the direction of Christ: the type ( figure) from the Old Testament corresponded to the antitype in the New Testament. So it was a demonstration of Jesus Christ as the fulfiller of all the Promised that he and only he could be there, was there pointed to the.

With the in-depth typological consistency early Christianity tried to convince people. For the wide dissemination of the typology in early Christian times, there is another reason; Pictures from the Old Testament were harmless, they could be shown without danger to Christians, because they could come from the Jewish culture as well, and it did this not persecution. Therefore, the first Christian images (eg in the catacombs ) show beside icons and also Old Testament representations that have been read by the Christians in typological.

Application of the typology

The typological method lies in the so-called reflection references already given the Gospel of Matthew over long distances to reason, eg when receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount Christ is compared.

Paul also thinks typologically. Central importance the juxtaposition of Adam for him - Christ. (Rom 5:14 NIV ) He calls Adam the " typos tou mellontos " - " model to the next (Christ) ." Paul also suggested various stations of extract and wilderness wanderings of the Israelites typologically (1 Corinthians 10:1-13 NIV ). So he linked about the crossing of the Red Sea with the baptism or the heavenly power and water from the rock with the Lord's Supper. He argues that all the events archetypes ( gr τύποι / typoi ) were once used by Christians and exhortation.

In Christian art the typology is ubiquitous because it is according to the nature pictorially and relationship full symmetries possible.

In addition to the typological juxtapositions from the Old Testament, there are also those that relate to the " pagan " antiquity and those that refer to natural phenomena reference. As examples of the pagan antiquity of the Emperor Augustus and the Sibyl of Tibur may apply, the types are Christian birth. Naturphänomenologische types include the lion, who awakens after three days his stillborn boy by roaring to life, or the phoenix that rises again from the ashes. Both are mentioned in the Physiologus and is a type of the resurrection of Christ.

Examples

• On wood of Paradise the serpent brings death - On the wood of the cross of Christ brings life
• Jonah emerges from the whale - Christ rises from the grave
• Israel is fed in the wilderness with manna - Christ uses the Eucharist
• Israel pulls through the Red Sea to freedom - The believer enters through Baptism into Christ new life
• Samson rocks from the gates of Gaza - Christ rises from the dead
• Joseph sold by his brothers - Jesus was betrayed and sold by Judas