Part One, Section Two, Chapter Two, Article 5, Paragraph 631
Overview
Paragraph 631 of the Catechism serves as the introductory thesis for Article 5, addressing the clause of the Apostles' Creed: 'He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again.' The text establishes a scriptural basis for this doctrine by citing Ephesians 4:9-10, interpreting the 'lower parts of the earth' as a Christological descent into the realm of the dead. Theologically, it links the descent and the Resurrection not as two disjointed events, but as a singular movement of the 'Passover' (Paschal mystery). The central argument is that Christ's victory over death required a total experience of death's depths, ensuring that the life which 'sprang forth' on the third day was a conquest of the grave itself. For the Catholic believer, this reinforces the Creedal confession that Jesus is Lord over both the living and the dead.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Descent into Hell (Descensus Christi ad Inferos)
Assertion
Jesus truly died and descended into the realm of the dead prior to His resurrection.
Evidence from Text
Jesus 'descended into the lower parts of the earth.' ... The Apostles' Creed confesses in the same article Christ's descent into hell
Evangelical Comparison
Most classical Protestants (Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed) accept the Apostles' Creed and the doctrine of the descent, interpreting it as Christ entering the state of death (Hades/Sheol) or enduring the wrath of God. However, some modern Evangelicals omit this line from the Creed or interpret Ephesians 4:9 as referring to the Incarnation (descent to earth) rather than the grave. The Catholic view here, focusing on the 'depths of death,' aligns with the historic Protestant view that Christ fully experienced human death, though it sets the stage for the 'Harrowing of Hell' (liberating Old Testament saints) which is less emphasized in modern Evangelical theology.
Paschal Unity of Death and Resurrection
Assertion
The Resurrection is the direct result of Christ's work in the depths of death, framing the event as a new Passover.
Evidence from Text
in his Passover it was precisely out of the depths of death that he made life spring forth
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelicals fully affirm that life springs from Christ's death and resurrection. The terminology 'in his Passover' carries a liturgical weight in Catholicism (pointing toward the Eucharist) that is absent in Evangelicalism, but the soteriological claim—that Christ conquered death by entering it—is shared. There is no significant theological friction in this specific assertion.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
In this specific excerpt, the Catechism articulates a 'Mere Christian' orthodoxy regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus. While the phrase 'descended into hell' can spark semantic debates (see Semantic Warnings), the core assertion that Christ fully experienced death and conquered it is central to Evangelical theology. Divergence only arises if one reads into this text the subsequent Catholic doctrines of Purgatory or the specific nature of the 'Limbo of the Fathers,' which are not explicitly detailed in this specific paragraph.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Hell"
In This Text
Sheol/Hades - The realm of the dead/the state of death, not necessarily the place of eternal punishment.
In Evangelicalism
Evangelicals distinguish between Hades (the grave/temporary abode of the dead) and Gehenna (Lake of Fire).
"Passover"
In This Text
The Paschal mystery comprising Christ's death and resurrection, liturgically re-presented in the Mass.
In Evangelicalism
The historical event of the Exodus and its typological fulfillment in Christ's crucifixion (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Life springing forth from the depths of death.
How Attained: Through Christ's Passover (Death and Resurrection).
Basis of Assurance: The objective fact of the Resurrection.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text focuses on the *objective* work of Christ (Christus Victor) rather than the *subjective* reception (faith vs. works). Therefore, it does not explicitly contradict Sola Fide in this paragraph.
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Confess the Apostles' Creed
- Believe in the literal death and resurrection of Jesus
Ritual Requirements
- Recitation of the Apostles' Creed (implied by context)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When you say the Creed's line 'descended into hell,' what do you picture Jesus doing during that time?
- How does the idea that Jesus went to the 'depths of death' give you comfort regarding your own mortality?
- The text says life 'sprang forth' from death. How do you personally connect to that life today?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Spring of Life
Just as a seed must die to produce life, Christ's submission to death was the necessary mechanism to break the power of death for us.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
This specific paragraph is declarative and victorious, imposing no specific burden of performance or fear on the believer.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Apostolic Tradition codified in the Creed, supported by Biblical exegesis.
Verification Method: Adherence to the Church's confession (The Creed).
Evangelical Contrast: Evangelicals verify truth primarily through the exegesis of Scripture alone (2 Timothy 3:16). While this text cites Scripture, the epistemological framework is the Creedal tradition interpreting Scripture.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: 1997 (Latin typical edition)
Authorship: Promulgated by Pope John Paul II; drafted by a commission led by Joseph Ratzinger.
Textual Issues: The citation of Ephesians 4:9 ('lower parts of the earth') involves exegetical debate. Some scholars view this as the Incarnation (earth as lower than heaven), while the Catechism (and traditional view) views it as Hades (under the earth).