It Happened in Hell – Chapter 3
Historical Insights: The Early Church’s View
In our exploration of the Harrowing of Hell, it’s crucial to understand how the early church fathers perceived this doctrine. Their writings provide invaluable historical and theological context, affirming the significance of Christ’s descent into Hell as part of His victory over sin and death. This chapter will delve into the perspectives of Irenaeus of Lyons, Origen of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Augustine of Hippo, showing their acceptance and interpretation of this event and how it aligns with the book’s themes of universal redemption and Christ’s triumph.
Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD)
In his seminal work “Against Heresies,” Irenaeus defended the Christian faith against Gnosticism and provided insights into the Harrowing of Hell. While he doesn’t explicitly use the term “Harrowing of Hell,” his writings imply Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead to redeem humanity.
In Book V, Chapter 31, Irenaeus writes:
“He [Christ] came to save all through means of Himself—all, I say, who through Him are born again to God—infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants; a child for children, thus sanctifying those who are of that age, being at the same time made to them an example of piety, righteousness, and submission; a youth for youths, becoming an example to them, and thus sanctifying them for the Lord. So likewise He was an old man for old men, that He might be a perfect Master for all, not merely in respect to the setting forth of the truth, but also in respect to age, sanctifying at the same time the aged also, and becoming an example to them likewise. Then, at the end, He came on to death itself, that He might be ‘the first-born from the dead,’ that in all things He might be the first. In His being made man, He recapitulated in Himself the long history of man, summing up and giving us salvation in order that we might receive the likeness of the Son.” (Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 31)
While this passage doesn’t directly mention the descent into Hell, it underscores Christ’s comprehensive redemption across all stages of life and even through death. Irenaeus’s emphasis on Christ’s victory over death implies that His descent into the realm of the dead was a necessary part of His redemptive work, aligning with the Christus Victor model where He defeats the powers of evil.
Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
Origen, a prolific writer and thinker, explicitly discusses Christ’s descent into Hell. In his “Commentary on John,” he writes:
“For it was not only on holy men that the Saviour conferred the boons of His advent, but also on those who were prisoners, and He went down to them, that is, to those who were in Hades, and preached to them.” (Origen’s “Commentary on John,” Book I, Chapter 30)
This statement clearly supports the Harrowing of Hell, where Christ descends to the realm of the dead to preach and offer redemption to those held there. Origen’s belief in universal reconciliation further aligns with the idea that Christ’s victory extends to all, including those in Hell, fitting the book’s focus on universal salvation.
In his “Homilies on Luke,” Homily 42, Origen adds:
“For this reason, the Saviour, when He had conquered death, descended to those who were in the lower world, that is, to those who were in Hades, and delivered them from their confinement, and brought them back to their original freedom.” (Origen’s “Homilies on Luke,” Homily 42)
This reinforces his view that Christ’s descent was a liberating act, part of His victory over death and evil, aligning with the Christus Victor model and the book’s narrative of redemption for all.
Tertullian (155-240 AD)
Tertullian, in his work “Against Marcion,” Book IV, Chapter 34, states:
“He went down into the regions beneath the earth, to make the patriarchs and the people of God partakers of Himself.” (Tertullian’s “Against Marcion,” Book IV, Chapter 34)
This passage indicates that Christ descended to the underworld to include the patriarchs and the people of God in His redemption, reinforcing the Harrowing of Hell as a key event in His victory. Tertullian’s view aligns with the idea that Christ’s descent was to liberate, not punish, fitting the book’s emphasis on loving correction and universal redemption within the Christus Victor framework.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)
Augustine, in his “Enchiridion,” Chapter 59, writes:
“He also descended into hell, and there delivered the souls of the just, who were held in the bonds of death, and brought them forth to the joys of heaven.” (Augustine’s “Enchiridion,” Chapter 59)
This direct statement from Augustine confirms the early church’s belief in the Harrowing of Hell, where Christ frees the just from the realm of death, demonstrating His conquest over sin and death. Augustine’s focus on delivering the just aligns with the book’s view of Hell as a conquered realm, not a place of eternal punishment, and supports the idea of universal redemption through Christ’s victory.
Conclusion
The early church fathers uniformly accepted and taught the doctrine of the Harrowing of Hell as an integral part of Christ’s redemptive work. Their writings provide a rich historical and theological foundation, affirming that Christ’s descent into Hell was a victory over evil, liberating souls and demonstrating His dominion over all things. This historical context deepens our understanding of the event and its significance in the Christian narrative of redemption and victory, reinforcing the book’s themes of universal salvation and Christ’s triumph within the Christus Victor model.