Typology
Objective
I can apply examples of Typology in Scripture
Warm Up
Icon of the Transfiguration from St. Catherine’s Monastery.
Discussion Question
What event does this image depict?
Who is present in this image?
Read the story of the Transfiguration, found in Matthew 17:1-8. Why are Moses and Elijah present? What do they represent?
In light of everything discussed in the past few lessons, what is a key point this image and event communicate?
Typology
St. Augustine said, “The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the New Testament fulfills the Old.” We call the study of this “typology.” Typology is the study of types in Scripture.
A type is a person, place, thing, or event in the Old Testament that foreshadows something greater in the New. For example, in the Tradition of the Church we refer to Mary as the New Eve. We also refer to Jesus as the New Adam or the New Moses. John the Baptist is referred to as the New Elijah. They are referred to in this way because in some way they make new the things each of their Old Testament counterparts did. They bring the events of the Old Testament into fulfillment.
When we read the Old Testament in the light of Christ, it brings a whole new meaning to the events and helps us to understand more clearly what God is doing.
Activity 1: Applying Typology
Remember, a type in Scripture is a person or thing in the Old Testament that foreshadows a person or thing in the New Testament. Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ, and the Passover is a type of the Eucharist and the Crucifixion.
I will hand you Typology Strips. Use them to complete two bridge maps. One that explains howIsaac is a type of Jesus Christ, and another that explains the Passover is a type of the Eucharist and the Crucifixion. Matching the strips to help you explain the relationship of how Christ fulfills each of these events.