Typology I: Learning the Four Senses of Scripture    

...Lo! the angel's food is given

To the pilgrim who has striven;

See the children's bread from heaven,

Which on dogs may not be spent.

Truth the ancient types fulfilling,

Isaac bound, a victim willing,

Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,

Manna to the fathers sent...

- from Lauda Sion, the sequence for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi

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Course Textbook: Scripture.

A free electronic copy of the KJV with Strong's concordance can be downloaded here. Strong's concordance is often useful in knowing the meaning of place names and given names, which is an important part of typological interpretation. The Catholic edition of Scripture is required however, so please download one of the Catholic translations available on that site as well, such as the Douay-Rheims.

Upon completing this course, the student will be able to:

Week 1 - Foundations of Typology

• Explain how the four senses of Scripture are founded in the fact of the Incarnation,
• Explain what the four senses of Scripture are: literal, allegorical (typological), moral and heavenly (anagogical),
• Explain various ways of interpreting the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
• Describe the New Testament meaning behind the Levitical cleansing for leprosy (Leviticus 14),

Week 2 – Old Testament Typology

• Describe the New Testament meaning of Samuel anointing David king (1 Samuel 16:1-12)
• Describe the New Testament meaning of Elijah's contest with the pagan priests (1 Kings 18:20-40)

Week 3 – The Typology of Jesus' Life

• Explain the "Gospel in miniature" hidden within the finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:40-52)
• Explain why Jesus cursed the fig tree (Mark 11:1-33)

Week 4 – The Typology of Apostolic life

• Explain the "Gospel in miniature" hidden within the story of Peter's imprisonment (Acts 12:1-17)
• Explain how Peter converted three thousand people in the space of five minutes (Acts 2:1-42)