Book: 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory By Mitchell Chase
Show Notes: Renewal Cast with Mitchell Chase on Typology Introduction Mitchell Chase is an associate professor of biblical studies at Southern Seminary and a local pastor at Cosmo Stale Baptist Church. He is also the author of "40 Questions on Typology and Allegory," a book that explores the subject of typology in the Bible. In this episode of Renewal Cast, Colt Robinson and Jay Whiff interview Mitchell Chase about the importance of typology in interpreting the Bible. Overview In this episode, Mitchell Chase explains the meaning of typology and its significance in biblical interpretation. He discusses how typology involves reading biblical patterns earlier in history in light of later redemptive fulfillment. He also explains the concept of antitype, which refers to the fulfillment of a person, place, event, or institution in redemptive history. The conversation delves into the historical aspect of typology, how it differs from allegory, and the dangers of allegorizing the Bible. Mitchell also shares practical applications of typology in preaching and teaching. Timestamped Chapter Summary
- Introduction (0:00:14)
- Mitchell Chase's background and achievements (0:01:50)
- Definition of typology (0:03:37)
- Meaning of antitype (0:04:23)
- Examples of typology in the Bible (0:05:43)
- Differentiating typology from apocalyptic imagery (0:07:09)
- How to identify typology in the Bible (0:08:08)
- The relationship between typology and allegory (0:11:18)
- The dangers of allegorizing the Bible (0:13:38)
- Jesus' typological interpretation of Jonah (0:09:06)
- Reading Jonah in light of the canon (0:09:54)
- The role of the New Testament in interpreting the Old Testament (0:12:10)
- How typology helps us understand the unity of the Bible (0:15:58)
- The role of the Holy Spirit in interpreting the Bible (0:18:48)
- Practical applications of typology in preaching and teaching (0:20:43)
- Interpretation of the old in the New (0:13:08)
- The unity of the Testaments (0:13:10)
- The importance of reading the Old Testament in light of the canon (0:13:34)
- The Old Testament as Christian scripture (0:14:28)
- The largest context to understand any of the individual parts (0:16:19)
- Christ and Moses as related figures (0:17:09)
- The purpose of the Scriptures (0:17:17)
- The importance of examining the whole (0:17:39)
- Reading the New Testament for typological interpretations (0:18:30)
- The limitations of the New Testament in presenting types (0:20:10)
- Jesus's teaching on interpreting the Old Testament (0:21:23)
- How non-apostles can learn to read the Old Testament (0:22:38)
- The importance of humility in interpretation (0:23:22)
- The significance of reading the Old Testament in light of Christ (0:24:57)
- The value of typological reading in enriching appreciation for the Old Testament (0:26:03)
- The challenges of preaching the Old Testament and engaging in typological reading (0:26:21)
- The levels of significance and application for the hearer in typological reading (0:28:38)
- The role of typology in strengthening confidence in the truthfulness of the Bible (0:29:18)
- Typology as a tool for apologetics (0:30:02)
- The relationship between typology and the Old Testament as Christian scripture (0:31:07)
- The role of allegory in biblical interpretation (0:32:45)
- The nature of allegorical interpretation (0:33:22)
- The importance of textual argument in allegorical interpretation (0:36:00)
- The dangers of subjective instinct in interpretation (0:37:15)
- The importance of having a textual argument in typological or allegorical suggestions (0:37:40)
Quotable Phrases
- "Typology refers to a way of reading biblical patterns that are earlier in biblical history in light of the later redemptive fulfillment." (0:03:39)
- "God has designed these [characters, events, institutions] to be images, figures, patterns that have a forward-pointing function." (0:04:06)
- "When we allegorize the Bible, we're not really taking the text seriously." (0:13:38)
- "Typology helps us see the unity of the Bible, that it's not just a collection of random stories, but it's one story that's moving towards a climax." (0:15:58)
- "The Bible is inspired by a single divine author and it's the divine authorship of Scripture that establishes the validity of typological reading." (0:13:02)
- "We want to be people who zoom in and who zoom out, who examine closely and who consider the whole." (0:17:53)
- "The New Testament authors have given us selective writings in the way that Jesus's ministry is told. We don't hear all of the teachings." (0:20:02)
- "Jesus is giving [the disciples] a hermeneutic, opening their eyes to understand the Scriptures." (0:21:25)
- "We need to approach the Old Testament praying that the Lord will guide." (0:24:55)
- "When we can show people the typological connections between Christ and the Scriptures which prepared the way for him, I think it enriches appreciation for the Old Testament among our church goers." (0:26:43)
Conclusion In this episode, Mitchell Chase explains the importance of typology in interpreting the Bible and how it helps us see the unity of the Bible. He also warns against the dangers of allegorizing the Bible and the importance of textual argument in typological or allegorical suggestions. Mitchell shares practical applications of typology in preaching and teaching and encourages us to approach the Old Testament with humility, prayer, and a desire to examine both the individual parts and the whole. Through typological reading, we can strengthen our confidence in the truthfulness of the Bible and enrich our appreciation for the Old Testament.
