This in-depth study on the realm of death presents a message of hope held by the first generation of Christians and the early church. Using Scripture, patristic tradition, early Christian poetry, and liturgical texts, Archbishop Hilarion explores the mysterious and enigmatic event of Christ s descent into Hades and its consequences for the human race. Insisting that Christ entered Sheol as Conqueror and not as victim, the author depicts the Lord s descent as an event of cosmic significance opening the path to universal salvation. He also reveals Hades as a place of divine presence, a place where the spiritual fate of a person may still change. Reminding readers that self-will remains the only hindrance to life in Christ, he presents the gospel message anew, even in the shadow of death.
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Archbishop Hilarion (Alfeyev), Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, is well known throughout the Orthodox Church as a leading theologian, writer, and musical composer. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University and a doctorate in theology from St Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris.
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44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book because it was the only book dedicated to the topic of what is commonly known as "The Harrowing of Hell", the belief that when Christ died on the Cross, His soul descended into Sheol, until His Resurrection.
This book was phenomenal for several reasons.
1. It deals with a subject matter that is often overlooked or ignored by the modern Church.
2. It traces the doctrine throughout the centuries, starting with the New Testament, the Apostolic Fathers, onward through the Church Fathers.
3. It points out the need for this doctrine, by showing us how Christ conquered Hades and death, and that now believers really don't need to fear death, because Christ has truly conquered it.
The Archbishop puts forward three possible theories as to who Christ saved from Hades (Sheol) when he descended.
1. The Old Testament Saints, which is the belief that the Western Church has commonly held (myself included).
2. That by His preaching, it gave those spirits listening the opportunity to repent and be saved (a view that I'm open to.).
3. That Christ saved everyone in Hades, and now it lies broken and empty, with only the devil and the demons as it's inhabitants. (I'm not too keen on this view for several reasons).
The book is fascinating, and really makes you think about the emplications of the Son of God entering Hades, and its consequences for the human race. I recomend this book to any serious student of the Scriptures and Church History. I was struck by just how many of the Fathers were united on this belief, and how prevalent it has been down through the ages.
This book was phenomenal for several reasons.
1. It deals with a subject matter that is often overlooked or ignored by the modern Church.
2. It traces the doctrine throughout the centuries, starting with the New Testament, the Apostolic Fathers, onward through the Church Fathers.
3. It points out the need for this doctrine, by showing us how Christ conquered Hades and death, and that now believers really don't need to fear death, because Christ has truly conquered it.
The Archbishop puts forward three possible theories as to who Christ saved from Hades (Sheol) when he descended.
1. The Old Testament Saints, which is the belief that the Western Church has commonly held (myself included).
2. That by His preaching, it gave those spirits listening the opportunity to repent and be saved (a view that I'm open to.).
3. That Christ saved everyone in Hades, and now it lies broken and empty, with only the devil and the demons as it's inhabitants. (I'm not too keen on this view for several reasons).
The book is fascinating, and really makes you think about the emplications of the Son of God entering Hades, and its consequences for the human race. I recomend this book to any serious student of the Scriptures and Church History. I was struck by just how many of the Fathers were united on this belief, and how prevalent it has been down through the ages.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a "must read" for anyone interested in furthering their understanding of the Christian faith.
May 12, 2011
Format:Paperback
Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev takes on an extremely complex and often misunderstood topic of the central point of the Christian faith-- Christ's decent and conquering of Hades-- and breaks it down in a way that makes the subject easy to follow, even for the casual student of religion. By returning to the early centuries of the Church, Archbishop Hilarian lays the foundation for his topic using the writings of the ancient Church Fathers. Those who are not of the Orthodox Christian tradition may find it tedious reading through the extensive references to ancient Christian poetry and hymnography; but those who do make the effort will be rewarded with a deeper appreciation of the early Church's understanding of pivotal events that transpired between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection, and the impact they have on our salvation. Archbishop Hilarian also makes an effort throughout the book to contrast the Eastern traditions against the Western understanding of various aspects of Christ's decent into Hades. He is also careful to point out which statements are part of Orthodox Church doctrine, which are a matter of accepted tradition and which are pious opinions. The final chapters of the book provide a concise summation of the topics covered in the previous chapters and should not be skipped. This book should be recommended reading for Christians of all faith traditions, as well as for anyone interested in learning more about the foundations of Christianity.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
" . . . yet thyself, O Savior, destroying the power of death, and with thee raising up Adam and releasing ALL men from hell." So sing the faithful in the Evlogetaria just before the resurrection gospel is read in every Sunday Matins service in the Orthodox Church--a perpetual celebration of Easter. Then, at the end of Matins on the Sundays of tones 5-8 this troparia is sung: " . . . O Lord, redeeming ALL men from the snares of the enemy."
What do these shocking words from these hymns mean? How literaly, or not literally, are we to understand them? What is the grand, full, historical context of these words? How do we avoid that dreaded doctrine known as "universal salvation"? Or should we indeed avoid it? Is there hope for the rich man (Lk. 16:20-31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus)?
It is to this topic that Orthodox rising star Archbishop [Metropolitan] Hilarion Alfeyev addresses with full vigor and incredibly detailed research into the voluminous works of Orthodox liturgical theology throughout the centuries. Indeed, it is Alfeyev's unequivocal mission to "bring justice" to the authoritative place of liturgical theology noting that "Christians celebrated liturgical services long before the appearance of the New Testament . . ." (p. 210) Preceding this there are thorough sections looking at the New Testament, apocryphal literature and patristic writings as well. But the main star of this book is the liturgical theology. Tragically, the bulk of Protestantism has cut itself off from the depth of the wonders and riches of these invaluable sources of spiritual and theological understanding.
Until . . . along came Mars Hill evangelical pastor Rob Hill and his recent book, Love Wins, which set off a flury of controversey within evangelicalism regarding the existence of hell and the final destination of all people. This was prominently displayed for all on the front cover of the April 14, 2011 issue of Time Magazine. Bell writes, "something new is in the air," but ironcially implies that something OLD is in the air when he says, "At the center of the Christian tradition since the first church, have been a number who insist that history is not tragic, hell is not forever, and love, in the end, wins and all will be reconciled to God." Did, in fact, Bell actually read the opening, signature quotation in Alfeyev's book taken from The Vespers of Orthodox Holy Saturday?: "Hell reigns, but not forever, over the race of mortals."
Indeed, Alfeyev lists the Orthodox fathers (pp. 163-4) who were prominent in these teachings in addition to a wonderful look at St. Gregory of Nyssa, the most prominent Orthodox theologian regarding this subject. In addition St. Isaac the Syrian isn't overlooked. One can't help but the refer back to Alfeyev's previous book, The Spiritual World of St. Isaac the Syrian, where immensely popular Bishop [Met.] Kallistos writes in the Forward "the only interpretation of judgement and hell that makes any sense." (p. 10)
In his impressive statistical analysis of the vast array of liturgical texts Alfeyev cites an impressive 75% of these texts as all inclusive of the human race being the object of Christ's work in hell. Indeed, "The teaching that Christ trampled on death by death, abolished the power of the devil, and DESTROYED HELL--is general church doctrine." (p.209) Having said this, Alfeyev, in no uncertain terms, vigorously upholds that other pillar of Christian belief--freedom of the will--with a fascinating psychological twist on the effects of love on contrasting groups of people. He also concludes that "there are no easy, simple answers." (p. 193)
This is an incredible read, but likely only for those who are truly open to the extensive and historical authority of the Orthodox Church. Out of kindness and love Abp. Hilarion greatly understates the power (and narrowness) of Protestant (especially conservative, evangelical) thought regarding this subject. As one of my favorite evangelical authors, John Piper, wrote, "Farewell Rob Bell."
What do these shocking words from these hymns mean? How literaly, or not literally, are we to understand them? What is the grand, full, historical context of these words? How do we avoid that dreaded doctrine known as "universal salvation"? Or should we indeed avoid it? Is there hope for the rich man (Lk. 16:20-31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus)?
It is to this topic that Orthodox rising star Archbishop [Metropolitan] Hilarion Alfeyev addresses with full vigor and incredibly detailed research into the voluminous works of Orthodox liturgical theology throughout the centuries. Indeed, it is Alfeyev's unequivocal mission to "bring justice" to the authoritative place of liturgical theology noting that "Christians celebrated liturgical services long before the appearance of the New Testament . . ." (p. 210) Preceding this there are thorough sections looking at the New Testament, apocryphal literature and patristic writings as well. But the main star of this book is the liturgical theology. Tragically, the bulk of Protestantism has cut itself off from the depth of the wonders and riches of these invaluable sources of spiritual and theological understanding.
Until . . . along came Mars Hill evangelical pastor Rob Hill and his recent book, Love Wins, which set off a flury of controversey within evangelicalism regarding the existence of hell and the final destination of all people. This was prominently displayed for all on the front cover of the April 14, 2011 issue of Time Magazine. Bell writes, "something new is in the air," but ironcially implies that something OLD is in the air when he says, "At the center of the Christian tradition since the first church, have been a number who insist that history is not tragic, hell is not forever, and love, in the end, wins and all will be reconciled to God." Did, in fact, Bell actually read the opening, signature quotation in Alfeyev's book taken from The Vespers of Orthodox Holy Saturday?: "Hell reigns, but not forever, over the race of mortals."
Indeed, Alfeyev lists the Orthodox fathers (pp. 163-4) who were prominent in these teachings in addition to a wonderful look at St. Gregory of Nyssa, the most prominent Orthodox theologian regarding this subject. In addition St. Isaac the Syrian isn't overlooked. One can't help but the refer back to Alfeyev's previous book, The Spiritual World of St. Isaac the Syrian, where immensely popular Bishop [Met.] Kallistos writes in the Forward "the only interpretation of judgement and hell that makes any sense." (p. 10)
In his impressive statistical analysis of the vast array of liturgical texts Alfeyev cites an impressive 75% of these texts as all inclusive of the human race being the object of Christ's work in hell. Indeed, "The teaching that Christ trampled on death by death, abolished the power of the devil, and DESTROYED HELL--is general church doctrine." (p.209) Having said this, Alfeyev, in no uncertain terms, vigorously upholds that other pillar of Christian belief--freedom of the will--with a fascinating psychological twist on the effects of love on contrasting groups of people. He also concludes that "there are no easy, simple answers." (p. 193)
This is an incredible read, but likely only for those who are truly open to the extensive and historical authority of the Orthodox Church. Out of kindness and love Abp. Hilarion greatly understates the power (and narrowness) of Protestant (especially conservative, evangelical) thought regarding this subject. As one of my favorite evangelical authors, John Piper, wrote, "Farewell Rob Bell."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What's To Fear?
In most Protestant hymnals and books of worship, the Nicene Creed has parentheses around "he descended into Hell". Read more
Published 1 month ago by Patrick R. Novak
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Superb!
Metropolitan Hilarion's book was a goldmine of fresh theological insights, and an amazing look into a point of resurrection theology vastly overlooked in the Western Churches. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Tim Fullerton
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Just dive in an read this book!
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Published 9 months ago by Stephen Lee Morgan
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