March 29, 2024

The Harrowing of Hell on this Good Friday

It being an important day in the western liturgical calendar, I thought I'd drop a few links here about the "medieval" concept of the Harrowing of Hell--or, better stated, the Harrowing of Hades (because Hades is the underworld/the land of the dead, and the word "hell" should be reserved for the idea of Gehenna, which was a real location and we might have some conversation about whether or not it's a spiritual place, but either way, Gehenna is NOT Hades). Image credit: from the Hagia Sophia. Credit for compiling some of these links also goes to Joshua Sherman.

The Harrowing of Hell is not "just" a medieval Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox idea. Its roots are firmly established in the biblical canon, and many evangelicals are talking more and more about this foundational aspect of the work of Jesus.

Here's the most recent podcast that I know of that touches on this topic. Not included in this discussion, but that is good to mention here, is that the term "harrowing" can refer to something that a military does (or, in this case, the demolishing of the "gates" of hell--ahem, Hades--by Jesus), and harrowing can also relate to the activity of sowing and planing a field! So how's that for some really amazing dual imagery??

Hades, the Womb of Resurrection, with Joshua Sherman on the Two Trees Podcast

Here are a couple of conversations about this topic from the YouTube channel Myths, Mysteries, and Majesty. I participated in the first discussion:

The Harrowing of Hell & Christus Victor

Divine Triumph: Conquering Hell and Christ's Victory

And a great episode from the Naked Bible podcast that touches on this:

Naked Bible 363: Revelation 3, Part 2

Finally, for those who'd like to read (coming from an evangelical/protestant perspective):

The Battle for the Keys by Justin Bass

What Jesus did upon entering the grave was a manifold work of defeating death by death, releasing the captives, and proclaiming judgment upon those whose realm is the realm of death. The gates of Hades have been broken open from within, sin has been left on the threshold of the evil one, and our victory of life over the grave is assured.

Hallelujah!

Isaiah 42:6-7

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;

I will take you by the hand and keep you;

I will give you as a covenant for the people,

a light for the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

Ephesians 4:8-10

Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

The Easter sermon of John Chrystostom, c. 400 AD/CE

“Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.

He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.

He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,

‘You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.’ (Is. 14:9)

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.

It was in an uproar because it is mocked.

It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.

It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.

It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God.

It took earth, and encountered Heaven.

It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting?

O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!

Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;

for Christ having risen from the dead,

is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!”

Carey Griffel

Carey Griffel has a Masters of Biblical Studies with Redemption Seminary and is passionate about teaching about the Bible from a biblical theology perspective with a healthy dose of creative thinking thrown in to the mix.
Carey can be found on Instagram and Facebook. She has her own Facebook discussion group for her podcast and is an administrator and moderator of several other FB groups, such as Reading Genesis 50 Times and Divine Council Worldview, official group of Dr. Michael Heiser.

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