Book Review

Title:  40 Questions About Typology And Allegory

Author: Mitchell L. Chase

Publisher: Kregel Academic. Grand Rapids, MI, 2020, (316 pages).

I would like to begin with a kudo to Benjamin Merkle, the Series Editor for the 40 Questions series. If you are not familiar the series covers a broad range of theological, Biblical, and hermeneutical topics. What is unique about this series is that each volume follows an interrogative approach to each topic answering 40 of the most relevant questions on the subject at hand. I have found these volumes to be timely, thorough, and very accessible to all types of readers. So if you haven’t already done so do a quick search through the series and review the different topics. It would be well worth your time.

Generally speaking, the terminology of “typology” and “allegory” are typically associated with modern schools of liberal interpretation. We often regard “literal” interpretation as the gold standard for Biblical hermeneutics. However, upon further investigation, we come to realize that even Jesus and the Disciples made use of these strategies which renders the claim to “literal” interpretation as overly simplistic. Having said that I want to make mention that the claim to literal interpretation came as a response to those liberal interpreters who drew false conclusions by invoking typological and allegorical interpretations. The confusion of the proper use of these literary devices is the reason why this volume is so important for Biblical study today. In this volume, Chase answers the fundamental questions to help Bible readers understand the appropriate use of both strategies typology and allegory.

The book is broken down into four parts. Part 1 discusses the Bible’s grand narrative. Chase argues that the whole of Scripture is about Christ (Jn.5:39) as he walks through the books of the Old and New Testament demonstrating that point. As the history of redemption unfolds we notice how later texts use earlier texts through various genres and figures of speech to create a consistent story of redemption. Part one is foundational for what comes in the preceding chapters. Parts 2 and 3 are very interesting because it is here that Chase not only discusses and explains what typology and allegory are but he goes further to explain how they were used throughout church history. There is also a section where Chase discusses the Quadriga which I am sure the reader will find very interesting. Part 4 concludes with a reflection on typology and allegory and their significance in Bible interpretation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I will be candid here. I wasn’t very excited about reading a book on typology and allegory. However, as I worked my way through the text I began to recall how significant this is to understand the Bible’s grand narrative. Scripture is replete with foreshadow that made sense to the multitude who arrived for John’s baptism, but for 21st century American’s these types and shadows translate to very little without a proper understanding of these literary devices. This raises another point. Namely that these devices can be used to create alternative conclusions that were never intended by the book’s author. That is the reason that Chase discusses the proper execution of typology and allegory. He discusses external controls that keep the reader from concocting alternative conclusions under the auspices of type and allegory. 

My only regret concerning 40 Questions About Typology And Allegory is the lack of discussion on the Quadriga. The Quadriga was a method of looking at scripture through allegorical, tropologica, anagogical, and literal sense. This type of exegesis was more common in the Middle Ages than at any other time in church history. While this is a subject that interests me I can’t put the blame on Chase. He did his part in giving an introduction to the subject. Perhaps there will be another volume in the 40 questions series on the Quadriga.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5

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This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Book Review: A Commentary On The Manuscripts And Text Of The New Testament

TITLE: A Commentary On The Manuscripts And Text Of The New Testament
AUTHOR: Philip Wesley Comfort
PUBLISHER: Kregel Academic, July 15, 2015, (416 Pages)

Having spent some time in Comfort’s new book A Commentary On The Manuscripts And Text Of The New Testament I found it to be a very valuable resources not only for the professional, or Greek student, but for the average every day Bible student like myself.

First I’d like to begin with some general information about the book. I have to admit that I wasn’t too familiar with Comfort’s writing. As it turns out Comfort has written his fair share of books in various genres. However, is specialty is New Testament having published fifteen volumes on the topic. Moreover he has spent the last 25 years of his life as a senior editor for Tyndale House.

BOOK FEATURES

I’m not the kind of guy that judges a book by its cover but I’m always appreciative of a volume that is made with good materials, well bounded, quality paper, and in this case as sewn in book mark which is particularly helpful. Some of the other features I found helpful was a listing of early manuscripts for each chapter found in the New Testament (P.11). There is also an abbreviations and works cited page (15) which ought to be standard but many times it is not. Lastly in the very back of the there is an appendix with detailed information about Nomina Sacra (or sacred names). Since comfort has much to say about Nomina Sacra this becomes an essential piece.

OBSERVATIONS

This is a reference book. For some readers reference material can be a little dry. However, as an average student of the Bible I have found this volume to be very useful in my day to day Bible study. I refer to myself as an “average Bible student” however I did study Greek and am still a student of Biblical Greek. But for the purpose of this volume one doesn’t necessarily have to have any Greek skills. Comfort has done the work of transliterating the Greek terms into English to make it more accessible to all Bible students.

However, what I think makes this volume very interesting is that Comfort does not tie himself to a particular Greek New Testament (as other volumes of this sort do). Rather this volume uses some of the earliest available Greek manuscripts most of which go back to the second and third century. This allows Comfort more space to list more variants.

This is a helpful reference tool that I would have no problem recommending to anyone who enjoys studying the Bible. It is a valuable resource which, once added to your library, can easily become a favorite.

RATING 4 Stars

James

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Kregel Academic in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.