Typology: A summary of the present evangelical discussion

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dec 1997 by Glenny, W Edward

Acts 2:16-21, as a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, is one referent of Joel 2:28-32. This is supported by the introductory formula "this is that" (Acts 2:16). Second, Acts 2:16-21 is not the complete referent (fulfillment) of Joel 2:28-32.45

Several issues in the revised dispensational scheme raise questions. What is the difference between shadows and types? Why must typology only be limited to persons, institutions and things and not ever used as a hermeneutical category, especially in situations like the quotation from Hos 11:1 in Matt 2:15 where the nation of Israel, the son of God in the OT, appears to have a typological relationship with Christ, the Son of God? Is not the principle of literal hermeneutics being violated when the relationship between these passages is called merely an analogy, even though they are introduced by a fulfillment formula? And is there any prophetic element in a typological relationship?

III. THE PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATIONAL VIEW46

Here my discussion will be much shorter because the writings explaining this view are limited and because this position is very similar to the revised dispensational view. I will attempt to explain this view of typology by commenting on the particulars in which it differs from the revised dispensational view.47 Progressive dispensationalists understand history as kingdom history, but they do not see the present age as a parenthesis in that history. Instead it is an initial stage in the establishment of Christ's kingdom.48 Many of the promises that will be completely fulfilled in Christ's visible future reign on earth are now being initially fulfilled during his invisible reign in the Church. Since this is an age of initial fulfillment many of the uses of the OT in the NT that revised dispensationalists call analogy, such as the use of Hos 11:1 in Matt 2:15, are called typological-prophetic by progressive dispensationalists. This is done on the basis of a typological relationship between the experience of Israel as described in Hos 11:1 and the experience of Christ in Matt 2:15. This understanding agrees with Matthew's fulfillment formula and demonstrates that for those taking this position fulfillment does not require a direct prophecy.

Proponents of this position argue that some prophecies concerning Israel that are applied to the Church in the NT actually realize an initial fulfillment in the Church. The "people of God" quotations in Rom 9:25-26 and 1 Pet 2:9-10 illustrate this.49 Such an interpretation necessitates allowing God's intended meaning in the OT passages quoted in the NT to extend beyond the literal meaning connected with the human author's perceived intentions. The basis for this initial fulfillment is the application to the Church in NT contexts of fulfillment of promises for Israel from the OT. NT believers participate in these promises through their relationship with Christ. This fulfillment and relationship is a mystery not understood in the OT.

Proponents of this view also believe that the initial application to the Church of OT promises to Israel does not and cannot annul the ultimate fulfillment of those promises to Israel. The initial fulfillment in the Church is an addition to the originally understood application, but it cannot abrogate the original application to Israel. The basis for this future fulfillment is the original contextual meaning of promises to Israel and the number of other promises of a future for Israel in the OT and NT.