The origin of the Christian doctrine on the 'Descensus Christi ad Inferos'

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show that the origin of the Christian Doctrine on the 'Descensus Christi ad Inferos' can be found in Jewish Christianity. It will also be argued that the development of Jewish hope offered the groundwork for the origin of this doctrine. In order to prove this, this paper will discuss the development of Jewish hope, the development of Jewish beliefs in Hades, and the early occurrences of the doctrine. The paper will then conclude that the vast occurrences of the doctrine in Jewish Christianity, gives enough evidence to substantiate a Jewish Christian origin.