40 Questions About Typology and Allegory

by Mitchell Chase

Overview

A survey of two literary devices that are indispensable for understanding salvation history

A biblical type is a person, place, or thing in salvation history that corresponds to a later person, place, or thing in the scriptural text. An allegory is a passage that says one thing in order to say something else. Both are common literary devices in the Bible that are vital for understanding truths about Jesus Christ found nowhere else.

In 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory, Mitchell Chase provides a thorough introduction to both devices, showing where they appear throughout Scripture and the historical roles they have played in biblical interpretation. In a convenient question-and-answer format, Chase answers key questions such as:
• Why should interpreters care about typology and allegory?
• How do we identify types?
• What are the theological assumptions of typology?
• Do all types lead to Christ?
• What is allegorical interpretation?
• How was allegory practiced in the early church?
• How should we practice allegorical interpretation?

Situating typology and allegory within salvation history, Chase shows how these devices reveal the interconnectedness of Scripture and commonly overlooked aspects of Christ’s person and work. Scholars, Bible teachers, and preachers will find this an essential resource for interpreting Scripture more comprehensively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825446382
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	09/29/2020
Series:	40 Questions Series
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.74(d)

About the Author

Mitchell L. Chase is the senior pastor of Kosmosdale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and an adjunct professor at Boyce College in Louisville.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 9

Introduction 11

Part 1 The Bible's Big Story

1 What Story Is the Bible Telling? 17

2 How Does the Bible Tell Its Story? 25

Part 2 Questioning Typology

Section A Understanding Typology

3 What Is Typology? 35

4 What Are the Theological Assumptions of Typology? 41

5 Should We Identify Types the New Testament Does Not Identify? 47

6 Do All Types Lead to Christ? 53

7 Are Types Only Recognizable in Hindsight? 59

8 Are All Types Historical? 65

9 Is Typology the Result of Exegesis or Something Else? 71

Section B Typology in Church History

10 How Was Typology Practiced in the Early Church? 79

11 How Was Typology Practiced in the Middle Ages? 87

12 How Was Typology Practiced in the Early Modern Era? 95

13 How Was Typology Practiced in the Enlightenment? 101

14 How Was Typology Practiced in the Late Modern Era? 107

15 How Was Typology Practiced in the Postmodern Era? 111

Section C Identifying Types

16 How Do We Identify Types? 119

17 What Types Are in Genesis? 123

18 What Types Are in Exodus? 137

19 What Types Are in Leviticus through Deuteronomy? 145

20 What Types Are in Joshua through Ruth? 153

21 What types Are in I Samuel through 2 Chronides? 159

22 What Types Are in Ezra through Esther? 167

23 What Types Are in Job through Song of Solomon? 173

24 What Types Are in Isaiah through Malachi? 181

Part 3 Questioning Allegory

Section A Understanding Allegory

25 What Is Allegory and Allegorical Interpretation? 193

26 What Are the Theological Assumptions of Allegory? 199

Section B Allegory in Church History

27 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Early Church? 207

28 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Middle Ages? 215

29 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Early Modern Era? 221

30 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Enlightenment? 229

31 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Late Modern Era? 235

32 How Was Allegory Practiced in the Postmodern Era? 241

Section C Identifying Allegories

33 How Should We Practice Allegorical Interpretation? 249

34 Are There Allegories in Genesis through Deuteronomy? 255

35 Are There Allegories in Joshua through Esther? 261

36 Are There Allegories in Job through Song of Solomon? 267

37 Are There Allegories in Isaiah through Malachi? 273

38 Are There Allegories in Matthew through Acts? 279

39 Are There Allegories in Romans through Revelation? 287

Part 4 Reflecting on Typology and Allegory

40 Why Should Interpreters Care about Typology and Allegory? 295

Select Bibliography 301

Scripture Index 305

Editorial Reviews

Mitch Chase deftly shows how the Old Testament, through prefigurings, promises, and patterns, leans forward to anticipate the coming Messiah. With clear structure and short chapters, this is a handy resource to consult as you prepare to teach the Scriptures, all of which center on Christ. The Old Testament may be a room dimly lit, but there are stores of treasure to be seen.

Matt Smethurst

You need to read this book! There is a revolution afoot in biblical interpretation and the road to the future runs through the past. The recovery of premodern exegesis is reinvigorating preaching and inspiring theologians to make the Bible their primary source again. You may have wondered what all the fuss is about and wished for a sure-footed guide to introduce you to the landscape. Look no further. This is a useful book because it takes a large number of very important ideas that scholars have been discussing for a while now and puts them into an accessible, clear, and concise format that students, pastors, and professors will find engaging and helpful. There are important differences between typology and allegory, but there are much bigger differences between the way that orthodox, premodern interpreters make use of them and the way they function in the hands of modern, historical critics. It is a matter of perspective and this book will help you gain a better perspective on how to go about interpreting the Bible as Divine revelation.

Craig A. Carter

Typology and (especially) allegory are sometimes viewed as swearwords in modern biblical interpretation. These interpretive strategies are seen as the reductio ad absurdum of premodern hermeneutics—flights of fancy made possible only because the ancients had no awareness of modern critical methodologies. But in this extraordinarily helpful book, Mitchell Chase rehabilitates these important interpretive tools for an evangelical audience, not only by exploring how they work in practice, but also by demonstrating the theological vision of Scripture and history that renders them intelligible.

Luke Stamps

Typology and allegory are confusing concepts for many Christians, sometimes to the point that they are avoided altogether. Mitchell Chase clears away the fog surrounding these ancient Christian interpretive practices and helps us understand their relevance. But this isn’t just a good book on typology and allegory; it’s a practical primer on Christian biblical interpretation. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Matthew Y. Emerson

Mitchell Chase has written a book that will profit God’s people—church members, theological students, pastors, and teachers. Of the many qualities of this book, the first is that it is well-written. Chase discusses issues that are often fuzzy in the minds of God’s people—typology and allegory—in a very accessible manner. A second quality of this book is that it is scripturally-based. This is the case not simply because Chase quotes Scripture but because he bases his arguments on the entailments of Scripture. He is not afraid to think contemplatively about what Scripture means by what it says and how its meaning ought to affect interpretation. A third quality of this book is that its argument is canonical. Chase argues his case based on the Old and New Testaments, and on how Scripture interprets Scripture. A fourth quality of the book is that it is historically-rooted. Chase’s book displays a wholesome and necessary respect for the thoughts of great minds who have gone before us. Since presuppositions are both inevitable and determinative, why not come to Scripture with time-proven assumptions? Chase’s book helps us at this very point. A fifth quality of this book is that it is practically relevant. It will help God’s people understand the written Word of God in order to love, worship, and serve God better. I thank Mitchell Chase for writing this book. It will, with careful study, provide great help to the church of God. It will inform all, challenge many to re-think issues related to typology and allegory, and confirm the hunches of others.

Richard C. Barcellos

Somehow I grew up being taught the Bible and studying the Bible in college and through various serious Bible study organizations without ever learning about typology. And I know that I am not alone. Over and over again, I hear those who have loved and studied the Bible for a lifetime, but are newly discovering these things, ask, “How come I never saw this before?” 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory is a book I will be recommending to those who are new to biblical theology to help them grow in seeing that God has used types and shadows in history and in the Bible to help us see the person and work of Christ more clearly. This book’s simplicity, clarity, and specificity will not only deepen understanding, it will also generate wonder and proper awe at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

I love thinking about typology and allegory because these methods are so ingrained in how the Scriptures are to be read. The Bible keeps building on its metaphors and images till they are bursting with life and meaning. Mitch Chase recognizes this and offers a wise, careful, and comprehensive survey of these reading strategies. He covers definitions, how they were employed in church history, and identifies types and allegories in the Scriptures. Readers now have a great starting point for thinking well about these important topics.

Patrick Schreiner

Somehow I grew up being taught the Bible and studying the Bible in college and through various serious Bible study organizations without ever learning about typology. And I know that I am not alone. Over and over again, I hear those who have loved and studied the Bible for a lifetime, but are newly discovering these things, ask, “How come I never saw this before?” 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory is a book I will be recommending to those who are new to biblical theology to help them grow in seeing that God has used types and shadows in history and in the Bible to help us see the person and work of Christ more clearly. This book’s simplicity, clarity, and specificity will not only deepen understanding, it will also generate wonder and proper awe at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Nancy Guthrie