Typos: The Typological Interpretation of the Old Testament in the New

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In 1938-39 Leonhard Goppelt finished his doctoral dissertation at Erlangen entitled "Typos: Die typologische Deutung des Alten Testaments im Neuen." The lasting value of his work was evidenced in 1969 when this dissertation was reprinted, with an appendix on "Apocalypticism and Typology in Paul." Goppelt's work has maintained its significance because it deals with biblical hermeneutics — the study of the methodology of biblical interpretation — a subject of renewed interest in the last few years.

In his search for a normative hermeneutics, Goppelt appeals to the New Testament's interpretation of the Old Testament as a guide. He offers "a study of the interpretation of Scripture that is characteristic of the New Testament" in order to provide a standard guide for interpreting the Bible today. The focal question for Goppelt is how the Old Testament and Jesus Christ are related, and Goppelt's answer to this question is found in how the New Testament interprets the Old Testament — typologically.

Goppelt begins with a brief survey of the various definitions of typology to determine how it is distinguished from allegory, with which it is often confused. After this introductory chapter, Goppelt divides his work into three parts: Typology in Late Judaism, Typology in the New Testament, and Apocalypticism and Typology in Paul. In his survey of late Judaism, Goppelt examines both Palestinian and Hellenistic Judaism to determine the place of typology in their literatures. Turning to the New Testament, Goppelt looks first at the portrayal of Jesus Christ in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. Elements of this portrayal are Jesus as the Prophet, as the Son of David and Lord, and as the Son of Man. Goppelt finds each of these characterizations typologically related to the Old Testament. Similarly, in his next chapter on the church as portrayed in the Synoptics and Acts, Goppelt finds a number of typological relationships between the people of God in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament.

Goppelt next examines the Pauline epistles for Paul's use of Scripture in general and for his view of Christ and the church. Goppelt here appends brief treatments on 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. In following chapters Goppelt deals with Hebrews, the Gospel of John, and finally apocalypticism and typology in Paul. Here he also examines traditional approaches to the relationship between the Old Testament and the New, the origin and legitimacy of the typological approach, and the relationship between typology and the historical-critical method.

Leonhard Goppelt (1911-1973) was professor of New Testament at Hamburg and Munich. His other publications include A Commentary on 1 Peter, Apostolic and Post-Apostolic Times, and Theology of the New Testament.