On Jesus's Descent into Hell
From the Lexham Survey of Theology: ------------------------------------------------------------------ The doctrine of Christ’s descent teaches that during the period between his death and resurrection, Jesus descended into the realm of the dead, sharing the lot of humanity, our common fate. The designation of Sheol (Greek, hades) as the destination of human souls after death is described in Scripture with a sense of irreversible finality (Luke 16:19–31; 23:43). Beyond this, descriptions of Hades are scant in the biblical text, with some of the only elaboration being found in Christ’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which adds few details but serves to further reinforce the overall sense of finality. The certainty of Hades reveals an impotent humanity, unable to conquer their greatest enemy and making supplication to the living God, who alone is capable of rescuing from the grave (Pss 9:13; 86:13; Isa 38:17). It follows then, that when Christ, having assumed true human nature, su