Biblical Typology

How the Old Testament Points to Christ, His Church, and the Consummation

Vern S. Poythress

• Publisher: Crossway
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9781433592423
• eBook ISBN: 9781433592447
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

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 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Newsletter Signup
• Endorsements
• Other Crossway Books
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Tables and Illustrations
• Part I Introducing the Challenge of the Old Testament
• Introduction: What Is Typology?
• 1 Understanding the Old Testament
• 2 Interpreting Noah’s Flood
• 3 The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4–9)
• Part II A Framework for Typological Interpretation
• 4 Basic Theology for Typology
• 5 The Shape of Our Response to the Bible
• Part III Introducing the Practice of Typological Interpretation
• 6 Introducing Clowney’s Triangle
• 7 The Tabernacle and Its Furniture (Exodus 25)
• 8 Clowney’s Triangle for Episodes in Genesis
• 9 Underlying Principles for Clowney’s Triangle
• Part IV Deepening Our Understanding of Typological Meaning
• 10 Symbolism and Theophany
• 11 The Nature of Meaning
• 12 Three Complementary Perspectives on Meaning
• 13 The Theme of Mediation
• 14 Comparing Types with Other Relations between Meanings
• 15 Analogies, Symbols, Types, and Prophecies as Perspectives
• 16 Allegorization
• Part V Enrichment of Clowney’s Triangle
• 17 Enhancements to Clowney’s Triangle
• 18 Multifaceted Meaning
• 19 Boundaries for Typological Interpretation
• 20 Maxims for Typological Interpretation
• Part VI The Practice of Typological Interpretation
• 21 Types in the Mosaic Administration
• 22 Types in Redemptive Plots
• 23 Types in Creation
• 24 Types in the Earthly Life of Jesus
• Part VII Interpretation of Analogies
• 25 Analogies as Similar to Types
• 26 Using the Triangle for Analogy
• 27 Analogies for the Attributes of God
• 28 Analogies for the Trinity
• 29 The Extent of Analogies
• Conclusion
• 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