By Daniel R Hyde In Defense of the Descent (Explorations in Reformed Confessional Theology) [Paperback]

by Daniel R. Hyde

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Genres: Theology, History

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Daniel R. Hyde (ThM, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary) is the Pastor of the Oceanside United Reformed Church in Oceanside, California. He is the author of over ten books, including Welcome to a Reformed Church, Why Believe in God?, and God in Our Midst.

Reviews

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book on the inclusion of "He Descended into Hell" in the Apostles Creed

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 4 out of 5]

O autor (Daniel Hyde) tenta refutar as afirmações de Randall Otto, Michael Williams e Wayne Grudem, entre outros críticos contemporâneos, de que a cláusula "ele desceu ao inferno" deve ser retirada do Credo quando o recitarmos no culto público. Trata-se da mesma posição que Cornelis P. Venema defende em seu excelente livro "What we believe: An exposition of the Apostles' Creed".

Gostei!

[Zachary Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hyde presents a Reformed view (I say, "a" Reformed view because there are some in the Reformed community who do not hold to this view) on the descent of Christ that follows that of Calvin's understanding. Namely, that Christ's "descent" is metaphorical for the sufferings He experienced on in His life and later in His death on the cross. Hyde also argues that Christ's descent is metaphorical for his dying physically. I was a little disappointed with the amount of textual interaction versus the amount of interaction with Reformed Confessions. Nonetheless, this is a very helpful book for seeking to better understand this view of the descent of Christ. Hyde also argues for retaining the phrase "he descended into hell" in the Apostles' Creed.

[Nick Carrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and concise explanation and defense of “he descended into hell” from the Apostles Creed.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, to the point, and very helpful. Pages 33-43 were of particular help and importance to me as a pastor. This section dealt with the two most misunderstood passages of Scripture that many people associate with Christ's descent into hell. However, as Hyde makes clear, these passages don't teach what many assume. If you aren't sure exactly how to interpret "He descended into hell" from the Apostles' Creed, this book is for you! I commend it highly.

[Paul Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical scholarship that went into this book is very good! The author also very ably defends the Reformed position. This book is a great resource for these two reasons. However, I do not think the 4 benefits of retaining the clause were very persuasive because they were primarily based in a liturgical recitation of the Creed.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good. Consistent with what Westminster and Heidelberg teach on the subject. I personally would lean towards using hades rather than hell due the lack of nuance in the latter term.

[James Ritchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book. Really helpful defense of and explanation of one of the more contested lines of The Apostles’ Creed.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear articulation of the options when reading about Jesus descending into the place of the dead. Good companion to other theology books that just touch on this topic. Recommended

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Hyde crammed a lot of history and theology (and history of theology) into these 74 pages! This book could've easily been another 50 pages longer if he'd taken the time to fully flesh out some of these points. But the book isn't lacking because he didn't -- not at all.

We may like to think our generation (or so) is the first to be enlightened enough to have qualms with the clause in The Apostle's Creed, "He descended into Hell," but that's just not the case. It's a centuries-old controversy, and each time the orthodox response has been, "keep the descent."

Hyde examines 6* possible interpretations of the phrase -- from the ridiculous (and heretical) to the orthodox. While his critiques of the more lacking views are helpful, he's at his strongest when he's giving a positive presentation. When Hyde explains the Reformed and Presbyterian view of the descent clause -- first as expressed by the Westminster Larger Catechism (Q. 50), and then as expressed by the Heidelberg (Q. 44). At this point Hyde interacts with a variety of Reformed theologians and catechisms to fully explain the perspective -- all very helpful.

Other highlights are his careful examinations of Ephesians 4:7-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-19 (used to support some explanations of the clause) and the four benefits to retaining the clause -- a very pastoral section.

It's short, sweet, to the point. For the believer who feels strange every time they confess "He descended into hell," Hyde helps you understand just what you're saying, so next time that clause comes up you can boldly and confidently confess that it is just what you believe.

* 5, really. Two of them are just flip-sides of the same explanation.

[Kevin Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Defense of the Descent: A Response to Contemporary Critics is a thought-provoking and informative monograph on the “He descended into hell” clause of The Apostles’ Creed. While the title gives the book a more polemic appearance, it is careful, warm, and historically informed. Hyde’s appropriation of both the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Confession of Faith demonstrates the uniformity of the Reformed witness on this clause. Additionally, his exposition of the critical proof texts gives the reader confidence in the confessional interpretations as accurate interpretations. Those interested in this clause will have a solid foundation laid out in this work.

[Bryan Edenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Scholarly but very accessible. Like many, I have misunderstood the use of the words “He descended into hell.” Hyde does a great job of presenting the historical biblical understanding of this clause along with some of the misconceptions associated with the theology of this phrase. I highly recommend this to all who have struggled to understand the meaning of this significant part of the Apostles’ Creed.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent and interesting overview of the clause, "He descended into hell." Whether or not you agree with his conclusion (which I do), this will prove to be a quick and enlightening read on a rather confusing subject. That said, I give this four stars because I have some scruples with this little book's editorial issues.

[Jenson Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful resource but perhaps not for everyone

Good book , well written on an important topic. Perhaps it is more for Christians seeking to understand this particular point of the apostles' creed.

[Alejandro Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be a creedal, Reformed, and confessional Christian means to understand the confessions. This little booklet helps clarify the clause in the Apostles’ Creed. May confessional Christians not be lazy and understand the Creeds and Confessions of the church catholic.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a short book but covers enough grounds to give a brief understanding of the history and meaning of the contested sentence in the Apostles' Creed, "He descended into hell", and how the Bible-believing Christians can and ought to confess that sentence with clear conscience.

[Andrew Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, clear, concise treatment of an oft misunderstood line in the Apostles Creed. I especially appreciate the depth of Dr. Hyde’s treatment from Biblical, historical, and theological perspectives.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent summary of the various views. Not intended to be in depth. Doesn’t adequately answer all the arguments for the 4th view of the descent nor adequately refutes all the objections to the 6th view.

[Gary Reid Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revealing

Helps me to understand the descent phrase. I would still like to read a more convincing line of thought on this issue however.

[Nick Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but good explanation and defense of the reformed understanding(s) of the descent clause in the apostles creed.

[Matthew Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether one is convinced or not, this is a very strong argument that a commitment to the literal descent of Christ (attested in the Apostle's Creed) is consistent with the Reformed Tradition.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, clear and helpful.

[Michael Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I wrestle through this subject (the interpretation, rather than the inclusion), this book has been extremely helpful.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short. Helpful.

[Dalen Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always wondered about the phrase "He descended into hell" in the Apostle's Creed. This short book provides a well researched response to those who think this phrase doesn't belong in the creed. It's short, to the point, and contains a wealth of footnotes. I highly recommend it.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hyde does an excellent job defining and defending the often-misunderstood phrase “He descended into hell” from the Apostle’s Creed. Deleting this phrase from its historic place in the Creed would lessen our confession of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Inwoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work explains the the Apostle’s Creed descent clause which Dr. Hyde makes a case that it is synonymous for burial. Recently there is a work out expanding on this claim by looking at the context and stating that hades is synonymous for burial.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, helpful introduction to the history and interpretation of the phrase "He descended into hell" in the Apostles' Creed. After reading it, I lean towards it being synonymous with the previous word, "buried" thus adopting the Westminster reading of the phrase. Also after reading it I see no reason to take the phrase out. There are enough Biblical ways to interpret that phrase that there is no need to remove it.