Typology

(From Greek typos = form, figure) denotes the idea that an archetype or model (= typos, e.g. Adam) is created in a person or an event of the Old Testament, which is then fulfilled and surpassed in a person or event of the New Testament (= antitypos, e.g. Christ). The Old Testament is thusly understood as a prerequisite for the New Testament. The associated degradation of the Old Testament to the forerunner of the New has led to the rejection of the typological interpretation in today's exegesis.