Fr. Devin Roza’s Fulfilled in Christ is a guide to the tradition of typological interpretation of the Bible. It unveils the parallels between the signs and events of the Scriptures and the Sacraments of the Church, as represented in the New Testament as well as the liturgy and teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Early Church read the Scriptures with the conviction that (in the words of St. Augustine), “The New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.” Drawing inspiration from how both the Apostles and Christ himself read the Old Covenant as referring to the New (cf. Luke 24:27, 1 Peter 3:20–21, 1 Corinthians 10:1–5), the Church found the Old Testament to be rich with figures, or “types,” that foreshadowed both the mysteries of the life of Christ and the mysteries, or Sacraments, of the New Covenant. This tradition of interpretation was integral to the development Christian doctrine, and manifested itself in the life of the Church most fully in the Sacred Liturgy.
Fulfilled in Christ makes this tradition accessible, providing scriptural background for the types and symbols for each of the Sacraments, and a thorough summary and index of references to the places these parallels and symbols are drawn or explained within the Scriptures, the liturgy (including the Patristic readings of the Liturgy of the Hours), and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
About the Author
Fr. Devin Roza, L.C. is visiting professor of New Testament at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He has a licentiate degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute and a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He was ordained a priest in 2011.
Endorsements
“A marvelous guide to the typology and symbolism of the sacraments found in Scripture and Tradition. Fr. Roza avoids arbitrary and exaggerated claims by a careful methodology that presents the teaching of Scripture, the Liturgy, the Catechism, and the writings of Church Fathers used in the Liturgy of the Hours.”
—Peter S. Williamson, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
“Typology is misunderstood because it is felt to have a quicksilver quality that allows the text to mean whatever we want it to mean. This is not so, as Fr. Roza tries to demonstrate in two ways. First, he shows how extensively the Catechism relies upon typology to teach doctrine, and second, the examples compiled in the book show the ruled use it has received in Tradition. The believer who uses this as a guide for reading Scripture will be led to discover that the events in the Bible run downhill to pool in the Church’s sacraments for our salvation and happiness.”
—David W. Fagerberg, University of Notre Dame
“One of the most important, and neglected, sources for studying the living Tradition of the Church is the Liturgy. Fulfilled in Christ offers an innovative and objective methodology as remedy to this situation, bringing together in a harmonious and academically solid way Scripture, Liturgy, Patristics, and the teachings of the Church. This book is sure to inspire numerous other studies, and will be of great help to academics, pastors, and catechists who wish to share with the faithful the beauty and mystery of the divine life that Christ offers us in his sacraments.”
—Fr. Edward McNamara, L.C., Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
“In this book, Catholics will find an indispensable tool for the New Evangelization. Adult education and RCIA groups will encounter here a rich treasure trove where they can dive into the profound meaning of the sacraments as a real participation in the mysteries of Christ. Catechists and scholars will find a comprehensive and yet succinct volume which makes accessible the beauty of the Church’s typological and symbolic understanding of the sacraments, including carefully chosen and compelling excerpts from Church Fathers. Fr. Roza’s study restores us to the mystery that is at the heart of our faith: the mystery of God’s love as it plays out in human history, recorded in the Bible.”
—Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville
“Years ago, in the course of becoming Catholic, works by Joseph Ratzinger, Jean Danielou, and Henri de Lubac introduced me to the vital riches of typology in Sacred Scripture. Fr. Roza’s wonderful book follows in that great tradition, and does so with an accessible structure and approach that is deeply informed by the Church Fathers and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Highly recommended for all students of Scripture and sacramental theology!”
—Carl E. Olson, Our Sunday Visitor