 |
|
     |
|
|
|
At times, I've felt that my polemics against semi-marcionitism in sacramental theology and hermeneutics finds no actual targets. And then I read something like this. In his book on hermeneutics, Louis Berkhof characterizes the difference between type and antitype: "The one represents truth on a lower, the other, the same truth on a higher stage. To pass from the type to the antitype is to ascend from that in which the carnal predominates to that which is purely spiritual, from the external to the internal, from the present to the future, from the earthly to the heavenly." To which I say, WHOA! Has Berkhof heard of the incarnation?
Then he adds, "Rome loses sight of this when it finds the antitype of the Old Testament sacrifices, in the mass; of the priesthood, in the apostolic succession of priests and bishops; and of the high priest, in the pope." I don't agree with the specific typologies he mentions, but they are not wrong because they move from OT "carnal" to NT "carnal" realities; the Westminster Form of Church Government does that when it appeals to the example of priests and Levites to demonstrate that ministers should read the Word in public worship.
Berkhof's version of typology is more conducive to Baptist than paedobaptist theology. But the fact that paedobaptists operate with something like Berkhof's assumptions is one of the deep sources for the schizophrenia of paedobaptist heremeneutics and theology.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
