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What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness ...
(Romans 4:1-5)

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Alva McClain on Types

by Alva McClain

In this connection, I would like to encourage Christians who delight in finding the Lord Jesus Christ on every page in Scripture. Do not permit yourselves to be frightened by those overcautious souls who cry against what they call "too much typology." Doubtless there are some things which may properly be catalogued as "types" and others not. But whatever you may call it, it is the privilege and the highest duty of the Christian to discover and behold the face of the Lord Jesus Christ in Scripture- everywhere! Far better to break a few rules of classic hermeneutics than to miss the vision of His blessed face.
Law and Grace, p.67

I think this is such a wonderful paragraph.

posted by Matthew Celestine at 2:18 AM

9 Comments:

  • Interesting post.
    I may be overcautious, but then I don't like to read too much into the Bible. I think there is a lot there without reading into it!

    He IS the WORD. Amen.

    By Blogger Rose~, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 5:11:00 AM  

  • A good litmus test is Joseph.

    If you think that Joseph is a type of Christ, you are a person who loves to find types everywhere.

    If you do not think of Joseph as a type of Christ, you are probably one of the over-cautious people.

    God Bless

    Matthew

    By Blogger Matthew Celestine, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 5:57:00 AM  

  • Well, Joseph is an obviuos type of Christ! I guess I am not over-cautious then. I was thinking of more obscure things than Joseph ... everyone knows Joseph is a type of Christ.


    don't they?

    By Blogger Rose~, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 6:47:00 AM  

  • A lot of commentators would say that is a very spiritualizing and allegorizing interpretation and detracts from the story.

    I believe he is, but the Bible does not say clearly that he is.

    God Bless

    Matthew

    By Blogger Matthew Celestine, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 7:32:00 AM  

  • I loved this post! But, then again, I'm "one of those".

    By Blogger mark pierson, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 11:26:00 AM  

  • Mark, I read AW Pink's 'Gleanings in Exodus'. He is definitely 'one of those!'

    I really enjoyed Pink's explanations of the types in the tabernacle.

    It inspired me to buy his 'Gleanings in Elisha.'

    I do not like his Calvinism, but I like his detailed and thoughtful commentary on the Scriptures.

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

    By Blogger Matthew Celestine, at Saturday, September 01, 2007 12:43:00 PM  

  • Matthew,

    As long as typology is not being used to interpret texts and allegorically present scripture applications, I am ok with it. For, in this case, it is nothing more than fanciful biblical illustrations. But when applications are being made without dispensational distinctions, and texts are being interpreted in light of these so called typologies, dangerous consequences can be produced.

    People use typologies to defend their doctrines (which is a no-no). They should instead be used to illustrate truth.

    Antonio

    By Blogger Antonio, at Sunday, September 02, 2007 11:59:00 PM  

  • Antonio, I have seen the problems caused by the Brethren defending aspects of their ecclesiology using types.

    The Classic Dispensational argument in favour of an allegorical and transhistorical typology would be the spiritual character of the church, which may thus find an unearthly interpretation of the OT abstracted from historical interpretation.

    I think there is no harm done if we fall into allegorising, provided that we do not use it to make doctrinal constructions that cannot be proved without the use of typology.

    As this quote goes 'better to break a few rules of classic hermeneutics than miss the vision of His blessed face.'

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

    By Blogger Matthew Celestine, at Monday, September 03, 2007 12:19:00 AM  

  • Antonio, if you don't mind my asking, do you regard Joseph as a type of Christ?

    By Blogger Matthew Celestine, at Monday, September 03, 2007 6:46:00 AM  

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