In Defense of the Descent

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.