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Descensus ad Inferos (Part 1): Introduction

posted by Krista | 4/3/2004 1:21:36 PM | Permalink | Stumble It!

Disclaimer: To clarify, this collection of essays will use the term "Jesus" when referring to the historical man, and the term "Christ" when referring to the mythical being who descended into hell and stormed the gates. This essay currently doesn't include the Gospel of Nicodemus, though it may eventually.

Christ's Descent into Hell
The idea of Christ's descent into hell is a predominant teaching in modern church theology. However, the concept of Christ's descent to the dead is not found in the teachings of the Gospels, and probably evolved as a later teaching. The principle of the doctrine is that through Christ's descent, death and the Underworld have been made powerless. Christ had transferred those souls, either all imprisoned there or only those who believed during his preaching to them depending upon the source referenced, to Paradise.

The doctrine did not appear in credal form until 359 CE, when it was mentioned in the Fourth Formula of Sirmium, which states that Christ "died, and descended to the underworld, and regulated things there, Whom the gatekeepers of hell saw and shuddered." A large number of Christians will be familiar with the doctrine as incorporated in the Apostle's Creed:

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Descent Myths of Antiquity
Descent myths are not uncommon in the mythos of antiquity. Early stories range from an Egyptian papyrus of the first century CE. describing the descent of the high priest of Memphis, Setne Khamuas (c. 1250 BCE) to the underworld (Duat), where he saw the judgment of souls and the different corridors of Hades; to Greek stories about Ishtar's descent into Hades to rescue Tammaz, her dead husband, and Heracles' task of bringing Cerberus, the watchdog of Hades, to the world of the living; to Jewish stories describing visits to Sheol such as in the Book of Enoch and the Book of the Secrets of Enoch. There are even myths in Hinduism and Buddhism such as those in the Marabharata and the Ramayana telling of a descent in order to free the damned.

The Jewish Messiah

The idea of a descent in Judaism is frequently associated with the concept of the Messiah. Old Testament passages such as Hosea xiii.14 which states, "Shall I deliver them from the power of the nether world? Shall I redeem them from death?" and Isaiah xxxv.10, which states, "Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion" imply that when the Messiah comes, he will redeem those who have died so that they, too, can enter Paradise. However, there are stories that righteous Jews could intervene on behalf of the dead. 2 Macc. xii.38ff speaks of the custom of offering prayers and sacrifice for the dead. The use of Kaddisch on specific holy days had the power to shorten the time the faithful Jews were to remain in Gehenna as punishment for their earthly sins. Prayer for the dead by the righteous also had the effect of lessening the torments of Hell.

The Righteous Pray for the Dead
There are also examples in early Christian literature of the righteous having the ability to intervene for the dead. In the Acts of Paul and Thecla (185-195 CE), Tryphaena's dead daughter, Falconilla, appeared to her to tell her to take Thecla into her place in order 'that she may pray for me, and I be translated to the place of the just.' The Testament of Abraham (first-second century CE) tells of how Abraham and Michael observe the weighing of souls before the gates of heaven. Those individuals whose sins weigh as much as his good deeds must wait outside Paradise until the final judgment, however with Abraham and Michael's prayers, the soul is able to enter Paradise.

Also, the Apocalypse of Paul (late 4th/early 5th century CE) describes Paul as weeping for tortured sinners along with Michael and hosts of angels. They ask the Lord to have mercy on the sinful souls, and hear Christ's voice announcing they will have remission of the torments of a day and a night forever 'on the day that I rose from the dead.'

Purgatory
The doctrine of Purgatory was first clearly defined in the writings of Pope Gregory (540-604 C.E.). He believed that the faithful must suffer beyond the grave for their venial sins. However, the Eucharist had the power to release a soul from Purgatory when offered properly.

Reference

• Article: Distinguishing Between Jesus the Man and Christ the Savior
• Article: How Do We Know About Traditions Outside the Bible
• PDF (66KB): Paper with Footnotes - This essay is adapted from an old undergrad paper for a Historical Jesus Class I wrote a few years ago. (Yes, it could use editing.)