Jesus Descended to Hell: A Historical, Scriptural, Modern, and Pastoral Treatment

[Trump Gurl]

The meaning of Jesus' descent into hell.
First, a well written article by Brian McCauley, M.A.T.
Second, a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Jesus Descended to Hell: A Historical, Scriptural, Modern, and Pastoral Treatment

Jesus Descended to Hell: A Historical, Scriptural, Modern, and Pastoral Treatment | Saint Dominic's Media

This paper sets out to explore how this article was included in the Church’s Apostles’ Creed, where we may find it referenced in the written Word of God, and how the Church has understood this profession of our faith over the centuries. In addition, since our Creeds are more than statements of...

www.saintdominicsmedia.com

Perhaps the most unexpected and striking article as Christians we profess in the Apostles’ Creed is our belief that Jesus descended into Hell. This is not said to undermine the wonder and otherness of Jesus’ Resurrection, but professing Jesus descent into Hell is difficult to imagine and understand initially. This paper sets out to explore how this article was included in the Church’s Apostles’ Creed, where we may find it referenced in the written Word of God, and how the Church has understood this profession of our faith over the centuries. In addition, since our Creeds are more than statements of belief, this paper will briefly explore what this article of faith means for our life in Jesus Christ. It is the hope of this work to not only inform the Christian mind about the salvific work of Jesus Christ in His activity between His Death and Resurrection but also, and more importantly, to open our hearts to the mystery of this event and its relevance for our hearts and wills as members of His Body who are working out their salvation by our growing participation in Jesus’ Paschal Mystery . . .




Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Christ Descended into Hell

632 The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was "raised from the dead" presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection.478 This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ's descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.479

633 Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, "hell" - Sheol in Hebrew or Hades in Greek - because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God.480 Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the Redeemer: which does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus who was received into "Abraham's bosom":481 "It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abraham's bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell."482 Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him.483

634 "The gospel was preached even to the dead."484 The descent into hell brings the Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfilment. This is the last phase of Jesus' messianic mission, a phase which is condensed in time but vast in its real significance: the spread of Christ's redemptive work to all men of all times and all places, for all who are saved have been made sharers in the redemption.

635 Christ went down into the depths of death so that "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live."485 Jesus, "the Author of life", by dying destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage."486 Henceforth the risen Christ holds "the keys of Death and Hades", so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."487

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . "I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead."488​

References:
478 Acts 3:15; Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:20; cf. Heb 13:20.
479 Cf. 1 Pet 3:18-19.
480 Cf. Phil 2:10; Acts 2:24; Rev 1:18; Eph 4:9; Pss 6:6; 88:11-13.
481 Cf. Ps 89:49; 1 Sam 28:19; Ezek 32:17-32; Lk 16:22-26.
482 Roman Catechism I, 6, 3.
483 Cf. Council of Rome (745): DS 587; Benedict XII, Cum dudum (1341): DS 1011; Clement VI, Super quibusdam (1351): DS 1077; Council of Toledo IV (625): DS 485; Mt 27:52-53.
484 1 Pet 4:6.
485 Jn 5:25; cf. Mt 12:40; Rom 10:7; Eph 4:9.
486 Heb 2:14-15; cf. Acts 3:15.
487 Rev 1:18; Phil 2:10.
488 Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday: PG 43, 440A, 452C; LH, Holy Saturday, OR.

 

[Derf]

That was an interesting and informative article. It confirms my belief that
1. Jesus descent into hell is not in scripture, and
2. That doctrine was appended to the creed at a fairly late date, nor was it mentioned by the early church fathers.

It certainly refutes your claim:

What I have stated was the position of all of Christianity up until the protestant reformation, and continues today to be the position of most of Christianity.

 

[Bradley D]

The Apostle Paul wondered about that also.

"(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)" (Eph. 4:9-10).

 

[Derf]

The Apostle Paul wondered about that also.

"(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)" (Eph. 4:9-10).

How does one “descend to the lower, earthly regions”? Isn’t that by burial, similar to how David said in Psalms 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth?

Was David curiously wrought in hell?

The article made clear that the descent into lower earthly regions was a recognized doctrine, but not that He descended into hell.

 

[Trump Gurl]

The Apostle Paul wondered about that also.

"(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)" (Eph. 4:9-10).

There is another completely different subject to tackle: What exactly IS heaven and hell? Are they actual places? NO

In the spiritual realm there is no "here" or "over there" or matter or physical locale.

When we die in friendship with God and are judged righteously we obtain the "beatific vision". In Christian theology, the beatific vision (Latin: visio beatifica) is the ultimate direct self-communication of God to the individual person. A person possessing the beatific vision reaches, as a member of the communion of saints, perfect salvation in its entirety. This is called heaven.

When we are damned, we exist totally separated from God. Total spiritual separation from our Creator is a ghastly prospect. This is called hell. Often colorful language is used to try to describe the terribleness of that separation: Fire, Brimstone, Gnashing, etc., but in fact hell is just a total separation from God.

So, Jesus, pure spirit after separation from his body, communicates with those righteous spirits from the past, and lets them know the Good News and that when he ascends to His Father, they will all obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints, We too, if we are judged for heaven, will obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints,

Next Lesson: Communion of Saints

 

[Derf]

There is another completely different subject to tackle: What exactly IS heaven and hell? Are they actual places? NO

In the spiritual realm there is no "here" or "over there" or matter or physical locale.

When we die in friendship with God and are judged righteously we obtain the "beatific vision". In Christian theology, the beatific vision (Latin: visio beatifica) is the ultimate direct self-communication of God to the individual person. A person possessing the beatific vision reaches, as a member of the communion of saints, perfect salvation in its entirety. This is called heaven.

When we are damned, we exist totally separated from God. Total spiritual separation from our Creator is a ghastly prospect. This is called hell. Often colorful language is used to try to describe the terribleness of that separation: Fire, Brimstone, Gnashing, etc., but in fact hell is just a total separation from God.

So, Jesus, pure spirit after separation from his body, communicates with those righteous spirits from the past, and lets them know the Good News and that when he ascends to His Father, they will all obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints, We to, if we are judged for heaven, will obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints,

Next Lesson: Communion of Saints

The problem, just like in the other recent thread (here), that must have spawned this one, is that you are telling a story without scriptural evidence. Scripture actually tells us that heaven is “up”.
John 3:13 (KJV)
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.

 

[Trump Gurl]

Scripture actually tells us that heaven is “up”.

Oh my Lord I actually think you are serious. Heaven is a physical "place" like Venus or Pluto?
Do you have any clue at all of the difference between the physical or material realm and the spiritual realm?
Please don't bother me any more. I have no tolerance for that level of ignorance.

The problem, just like in the other recent thread (here), that must have spawned this one, is that you are telling a story without scriptural evidence

That is not The Problem. That is Your problem.

I don't make things up. I merely pass on what has been handed down for millennia from the great theologians and saints and bishops and doctors of the Church.

But you go right ahead and keep on thinking that heaven is "up there", maybe a little to the right, past Jupiter.

I ask you again as a courtesy, please don't address me anymore.

 

[Trump Gurl]

There is another completely different subject to tackle: What exactly IS heaven and hell? Are they actual places? NO

In the spiritual realm there is no "here" or "over there" or matter or physical locale.

When we die in friendship with God and are judged righteously we obtain the "beatific vision". In Christian theology, the beatific vision (Latin: visio beatifica) is the ultimate direct self-communication of God to the individual person. A person possessing the beatific vision reaches, as a member of the communion of saints, perfect salvation in its entirety. This is called heaven.

When we are damned, we exist totally separated from God. Total spiritual separation from our Creator is a ghastly prospect. This is called hell. Often colorful language is used to try to describe the terribleness of that separation: Fire, Brimstone, Gnashing, etc., but in fact hell is just a total separation from God.

So, Jesus, pure spirit after separation from his body, communicates with those righteous spirits from the past, and lets them know the Good News and that when he ascends to His Father, they will all obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints, We too, if we are judged for heaven, will obtain the "beatific vision" and be part of the communion of saints,

Next Lesson: Communion of Saints

Quotes from Saint Pope John Paul II

Heaven is Fullness of Communion with God

Heaven as the fullness of communion with God was the theme of the Holy Father's catechesis at the General Audience of 21 July 1999. Heaven "is neither an abstraction not a physical place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. It is our meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the communion of the Holy Spirit," the Pope said.

1. When the form of this world has passed away, those who have welcomed God into their lives and have sincerely opened themselves to his love, at least at the moment of death, will enjoy that fullness of communion with God which is the goal of human life.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "this perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed is called "heaven'. Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness" (n.1024).

Today we will try to understand the biblical meaning of "heaven", in order to have a better understanding of the reality to which this expression refers.

2. In biblical language "heaven"", when it is joined to the "earth", indicates part of the universe. Scripture says about creation: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gn 1:1).

Heaven is the transcendent dwelling-place of the living God

Metaphorically speaking, heaven is understood as the dwelling-place of God, who is thus distinguished from human beings (cf. Ps 104:2f.; 115:16; Is 66:1). He sees and judges from the heights of heaven (cf. Ps 113:4-9) and comes down when he is called upon (cf. Ps 18:9, 10; 144:5). However the biblical metaphor makes it clear that God does not identify himself with heaven, nor can he be contained in it (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27); and this is true, even though in some passages of the First Book of the Maccabees "Heaven" is simply one of God's names (1 Mc 3:18, 19, 50, 60; 4:24, 55).

The depiction of heaven as the transcendent dwelling-place of the living God is joined with that of the place to which believers, through grace, can also ascend, as we see in the Old Testament accounts of Enoch (cf. Gn 5:24) and Elijah (cf. 2 Kgs 2:11). Thus heaven becomes an image of life in God. In this sense Jesus speaks of a "reward in heaven" (Mt 5:12) and urges people to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (ibid., 6:20; cf. 19:21).

3. The New Testament amplifies the idea of heaven in relation to the mystery of Christ. To show that the Redeemer's sacrifice acquires perfect and definitive value, the Letter to the Hebrews says that Jesus "passed through the heavens" (Heb 4:14), and "entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself" (ibid., 9:24). Since believers are loved in a special way by the Father, they are raised with Christ and made citizens of heaven. It is worthwhile listening to what the Apostle Paul tells us about this in a very powerful text: "God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:4-7). The fatherhood of God, who is rich in mercy, is experienced by creatures through the love of God's crucified and risen Son, who sits in heaven on the right hand of the Father as Lord.

4. After the course of our earthly life, participation in complete intimacy with the Father thus comes through our insertion into Christ's paschal mystery. St Paul emphasizes our meeting with Christ in heaven at the end of time with a vivid spatial image: "Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thes 4:17-18).

Sacramental life is anticipation of heaven

In the context of Revelation, we know that the "heaven" or "happiness" in which we will find ourselves is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. It is our meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the communion of the Holy Spirit.

It is always necessary to maintain a certain restraint in describing these "ultimate realities" since their depiction is always unsatisfactory. Today, personalist language is better suited to describing the state of happiness and peace we will enjoy in our definitive communion with God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up the Church's teaching on this truth: "By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has "opened' heaven to us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ" (n. 1026).

5. This final state, however, can be anticipated in some way today in sacramental life, whose centre is the Eucharist, and in the gift of self through fraternal charity. If we are able to enjoy properly the good things that the Lord showers upon us every day, we will already have begun to experience that joy and peace which one day will be completely ours. We know that on this earth everything is subject to limits, but the thought of the "ultimate" realities helps us to live better the "penultimate" realities. We know that as we pass through this world we are called to seek "the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1), in order to be with him in the eschatological fulfilment, when the Spirit will fully reconcile with the Father "all things, whether on earth or in heaven" (Col 1:20).

To the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors the Holy Father said:

I extend a special welcome to the young people taking part in the Forum of the European Youth Parliament, as well as to the St Vincent Ferrer Chorale from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and the Taiwanese Native Folklore Group, accompanied by Cardinal Shan. Upon all the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims, especially those from England, Scotland, Korea, Taiwan, Canada and the United States, I invoke the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May you have a happy and blessed summer!

Hell is the State of Those who Reject God

At the General Audience of Wednesday, 28 July 1999, the Holy Father reflected on hell as the definitive rejection of God. In his catechesis, the Pope said that care should be taken to interpret correctly the images of hell in Sacred Scripture, and explained that "hell is the ultimate consequence of sin itself... Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy".

1. God is the infinitely good and merciful Father. But man, called to respond to him freely, can unfortunately choose to reject his love and forgiveness once and for all, thus separating himself for ever from joyful communion with him. It is precisely this tragic situation that Christian doctrine explains when it speaks of eternal damnation or hell. It is not a punishment imposed externally by God but a development of premises already set by people in this life. The very dimension of unhappiness which this obscure condition brings can in a certain way be sensed in the light of some of the terrible experiences we have suffered which, as is commonly said, make life "hell".

In a theological sense however, hell is something else: it is the ultimate consequence of sin itself, which turns against the person who committed it. It is the state of those who definitively reject the Father's mercy, even at the last moment of their life.

Hell is a state of eternal damnation

2. To describe this reality Sacred Scripture uses a symbolical language which will gradually be explained. In the Old Testament the condition of the dead had not yet been fully disclosed by Revelation. Moreover it was thought that the dead were amassed in Sheol, a land of darkness (cf. Ez. 28:8; 31:14; Jb. 10:21f.; 38:17; Ps 30:10; 88:7, 13), a pit from which one cannot reascend (cf. Jb. 7:9), a place in which it is impossible to praise God (cf. Is 38:18; Ps 6:6).

The New Testament sheds new light on the condition of the dead, proclaiming above all that Christ by his Resurrection conquered death and extended his liberating power to the kingdom of the dead.

Redemption nevertheless remains an offer of salvation which it is up to people to accept freely. This is why they will all be judged "by what they [have done]" (Rv 20:13). By using images, the New Testament presents the place destined for evildoers as a fiery furnace, where people will "weep and gnash their teeth" (Mt 13:42; cf. 25:30, 41), or like Gehenna with its "unquenchable fire" (Mk 9:43). All this is narrated in the parable of the rich man, which explains that hell is a place of eternal suffering, with no possibility of return, nor of the alleviation of pain (cf. Lk. 16:19-3 1).

The Book of Revelation also figuratively portrays in a "pool of fire" those who exclude themselves from the book of life, thus meeting with a "second death" (Rv. 20:13f.). Whoever continues to be closed to the Gospel is therefore preparing for 'eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thes 1:9).

3. The images of hell that Sacred Scripture presents to us must be correctly interpreted. They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God. Rather* than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life andjoy. This is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the truths of faith on this subject: "To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called 'hell'" (n. 1033).

"Eternal damnation", therefore, is not attributed to God's initiative because in his merciful love he can only desire the salvation of the beings he created. In reality, it is the creature who closes himself to his love. Damnation consists precisely in definitive separation from God, freely chosen by the human person and confirmed with death that seals his choice for ever. God's judgement ratifies this state.

 

[Gary K]

The Apostle Paul wondered about that also.

"(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)" (Eph. 4:9-10).

Your questions assume the lie that the devil told Eve in the Garden of Eden is true. Do you really want to believe him rather than God? God said, ye shall surely die. The devil said you'll be immortal if you eat this fruit. Who is the trustworthy one? God or the devil?

As to Paul wondering I say he did not wonder about this question at all. In his books to the Corinthians he makes it plain that he doesn't. In Corinth the worship of the pagan goddess Diana was the dominant form of worship. The worship of Diana was the worship of the dead. She is another representation of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar who supposedly lived in the moon after she died. This belief system was started by the wife of Nimrod who claimed that when Nimrod died he went to live in the sun. Her illegitimate son, to carry on her power in her name, said that she went to live in the moon after she died.

The vast majority of pagan Gods were ways to worship the dead.

Here is what Paul says to the Corinthian church in his first letter to them.

1Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

 

[Gary K]

Oh my Lord I actually think you are serious. Heaven is a physical "place" like Venus or Pluto?
Do you have any clue at all of the difference between the physical or material realm and the spiritual realm?
Please don't bother me any more. I have no tolerance for that level of ignorance.



That is not The Problem. That is Your problem.

I don't make things up. I merely pass on what has been handed down for millennia from the great theologians and saints and bishops and doctors of the Church.

But you go right ahead and keep on thinking that heaven is "up there", maybe a little to the right, past Jupiter.

I ask you again as a courtesy, please don't address me anymore.

Which you place above scripture. Above the word of God. You would rather believe man rather than God. I'll stick with believing God rather than man.

 

[Trump Gurl]

Which you place above scripture

And THAT is a total 100% disgusting lie, and you are a sick disgusting tool for saying it.

The great theologians and saints and bishops and doctors of the Church not only read the scriptures they KNEW the scriptures and they PRESRVED the scriptures so that people like you could have them.

I'll stick with believing God rather than man.

That is another lie. You are believing in YOU, a man, not what God has revealed.

 

[Bradley D]

How does one “descend to the lower, earthly regions”? Isn’t that by burial, similar to how David said in Psalms 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth?

Was David curiously wrought in hell?

The article made clear that the descent into lower earthly regions was a recognized doctrine, but not that He descended into hell.

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7).

"Science has proved that the substance of his flesh, sinews, and bones, consists of the very same elements as the soil which forms the crust of the earth and the limestone that lies embedded in its bowels. But from that mean material what an admirable structure has been reared in the human body (Ps 139:14)."

 

[Derf]

Oh my Lord I actually think you are serious. Heaven is a physical "place" like Venus or Pluto?
Do you have any clue at all of the difference between the physical or material realm and the spiritual realm?
Please don't bother me any more. I have no tolerance for that level of ignorance.



That is not The Problem. That is Your problem.

I don't make things up. I merely pass on what has been handed down for millennia from the great theologians and saints and bishops and doctors of the Church.

But you go right ahead and keep on thinking that heaven is "up there", maybe a little to the right, past Jupiter.

I ask you again as a courtesy, please don't address me anymore.

That’s pretty rich. You start a thread that someone disagrees with, and you won’t have a discussion about it, but you want to continue teaching. Who exactly are you accountable to? Or are you a primary authority on the truths of spiritual things?

Does the Bible provide any truthful witness in your world? Do you trust God’s word?

 

[Derf]

The great theologians and saints and bishops and doctors of the Church not only read the scriptures they KNEW the scriptures and they PRESRVED the scriptures so that people like you could have them.

You mean by burning people at the stake when they translated the Bible into common vernaculars?

 

[Trump Gurl]

Back to the topic:

The meaning of Jesus' descent into hell.
First, a well written article by Brian McCauley, M.A.T.
Second, a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Jesus Descended to Hell: A Historical, Scriptural, Modern, and Pastoral Treatment

Jesus Descended to Hell: A Historical, Scriptural, Modern, and Pastoral Treatment | Saint Dominic's Media

This paper sets out to explore how this article was included in the Church’s Apostles’ Creed, where we may find it referenced in the written Word of God, and how the Church has understood this profession of our faith over the centuries. In addition, since our Creeds are more than statements of...

www.saintdominicsmedia.com

Perhaps the most unexpected and striking article as Christians we profess in the Apostles’ Creed is our belief that Jesus descended into Hell. This is not said to undermine the wonder and otherness of Jesus’ Resurrection, but professing Jesus descent into Hell is difficult to imagine and understand initially. This paper sets out to explore how this article was included in the Church’s Apostles’ Creed, where we may find it referenced in the written Word of God, and how the Church has understood this profession of our faith over the centuries. In addition, since our Creeds are more than statements of belief, this paper will briefly explore what this article of faith means for our life in Jesus Christ. It is the hope of this work to not only inform the Christian mind about the salvific work of Jesus Christ in His activity between His Death and Resurrection but also, and more importantly, to open our hearts to the mystery of this event and its relevance for our hearts and wills as members of His Body who are working out their salvation by our growing participation in Jesus’ Paschal Mystery . . .




Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Christ Descended into Hell

632 The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was "raised from the dead" presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection.478 This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ's descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.479

633 Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, "hell" - Sheol in Hebrew or Hades in Greek - because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God.480 Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the Redeemer: which does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus who was received into "Abraham's bosom":481 "It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abraham's bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell."482 Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him.483

634 "The gospel was preached even to the dead."484 The descent into hell brings the Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfilment. This is the last phase of Jesus' messianic mission, a phase which is condensed in time but vast in its real significance: the spread of Christ's redemptive work to all men of all times and all places, for all who are saved have been made sharers in the redemption.

635 Christ went down into the depths of death so that "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live."485 Jesus, "the Author of life", by dying destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage."486 Henceforth the risen Christ holds "the keys of Death and Hades", so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."487

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . "I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead."488​

References:
478 Acts 3:15; Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:20; cf. Heb 13:20.
479 Cf. 1 Pet 3:18-19.
480 Cf. Phil 2:10; Acts 2:24; Rev 1:18; Eph 4:9; Pss 6:6; 88:11-13.
481 Cf. Ps 89:49; 1 Sam 28:19; Ezek 32:17-32; Lk 16:22-26.
482 Roman Catechism I, 6, 3.
483 Cf. Council of Rome (745): DS 587; Benedict XII, Cum dudum (1341): DS 1011; Clement VI, Super quibusdam (1351): DS 1077; Council of Toledo IV (625): DS 485; Mt 27:52-53.
484 1 Pet 4:6.
485 Jn 5:25; cf. Mt 12:40; Rom 10:7; Eph 4:9.
486 Heb 2:14-15; cf. Acts 3:15.
487 Rev 1:18; Phil 2:10.
488 Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday: PG 43, 440A, 452C; LH, Holy Saturday, OR.

 

[Derf]

In addition, since our Creeds are more than statements of belief,

Here’s what the author said about creeds further down: “ Our creeds are a summarizing of the Christian mysteries of Salvation History and a profession of our faith which is passed onto each generation in human history so they can know for certain the basic Christian confession of faith and thus can be united as one in Jesus Christ”

Therefore, in order to unite us as one in Jesus Christ, our creeds must be impeccable. That means they need to be reviewed regularly for error, and the error expunged. Reviewing inherently means looking at them with a critical eye, and comparing them to an unalterable standard of truth. Since none of our church sects has ever been able to demonstrate themselves as impeccable in their doctrine, including the RCC, we don’t want to present any of their pronouncements as unalterable standards.

That’s why we have TOL, as a forum to discuss what is right and true with regard to theology. If we then disdain anyone who dissents from us as unworthy of commenting on our threads, we set ourselves up as that impeccable and unalterable standard, one that even the word of God must bow to.

The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was "raised from the dead" presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection.

Only if we presuppose first that the dead actually aren’t “plain” dead, but are stil partially alive. Which seems to deny God’s word that assures Adam and Eve that they would die.

This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ's descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.

The author here contradicts himself, since he in another place admitted that the doctrine of Jesus’ descent into hell was not explicit in the apostle’s writings or any trustworthy record of their preaching.

 

[Trump Gurl]

Here’s what the author said about creeds further down: “ Our creeds are a summarizing of the Christian mysteries of Salvation History and a profession of our faith which is passed onto each generation in human history so they can know for certain the basic Christian confession of faith and thus can be united as one in Jesus Christ”

Therefore, in order to unite us as one in Jesus Christ, our creeds must be impeccable

Two things: The Apostles Creed and the later Nicene Creed were formulated before there was even a Bible. It gave people a core belief to know and remember. It did not need to be "impeccable." If God is happy with a little kid's understand of Him, then God is happy with a belief that is pure of heart and honest.

One must always keep in the back of their minds that the canon of the NT was not even decided upon until late in the 4th century, and even when it was, the masses across the continents did not know it. There was no communication, mail, there were not even "books" as we understand a book. And more than that, the average poor person in a village could not read anyway, especially after the fall of the Roman Empire. A Creed was something that they could hold onto and know. It did not need to be impeccable.

We are so use to books and reading and education that we forget that for centuries, an average person never had an education, ever strayed far from his village, had no modern convenience, and died in his 40's. That was Life for millions across many many centuries.

Again, a Creed was something that they could hold onto and know. It did not need to be impeccable.

Frankly, it does not need to be impeccable today either, as long as it is not erroneous, although the Nicene Creed does a dang good job of covering our belief:

I believe in one God,​

​

the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.​

​

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.​

​

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.​

​

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.​

I say that at Mass every Sunday.

That’s why we have TOL, as a forum to discuss what is right and true with regard to theology

That's why I have the Church established by Christ, to teach what is right and true with regard to theology. The last place I would turn for what is right and true with regard to theology is a forum with a large number of not-too-smart people.

I come here mostly for the politics.

The author here contradicts himself

Possible. He's just a guy. I should have posed what Pope Benedict said.

 

[Derf]

Frankly, it does not need to be impeccable today either, as long as it is not erroneous,

impeccable
adjective. (ˌɪmˈpɛkəbəl) Without fault or error.

I come here mostly for the politics.

That’s fine, but you’re putting yourself in the position of a teacher with this kind of post.

Possible. He's just a guy. I should have posed what Pope Benedict said.

No need. He’s just a guy, too.

 

[Trump Gurl]

impeccable
adjective. (ˌɪmˈpɛkəbəl) Without fault or error.

LOL. Touché. I am corrected.

That’s fine, but you’re putting yourself in the position of a teacher with this kind of post

That is not my intent. I only pass on what has been passed on to me.

No need. He’s just a guy, too.

Well, in that sense, the writers of the Bible were just guys too.

Benedict was just a guy who Jesus handed the Keys to the Kindom of Heaven to.

 

[Derf]

LOL. Touché. I am corrected.



That is not my intent. I only pass on what has been passed on to me.



Well, in that sense, the writers of the Bible were just guys too.

Benedict was just a guy who Jesus handed the Keys to the Kindom of Heaven to.

And to you, too. And me. And if we tell people a false gospel, we are locking them out of heaven.

Btw, I don’t have a problem with the creeds, in general, but the “descended into hell” line appears to have crossed the line. You published the Nicene creed in that previous post, and it doesn’t have that. Your OP was about that very subject—Jesus’ descent into hell and Jesus’ salvific work there. It seems that if “It is finished” means anything, then Jesus finished His salvific work on the cross.