The suggestion to take a look at JND Kelly, _Early Christian Creeds_ is
right on target (suggested as a possibility in an earlier post). Kelly
takes up the Descent into Hell in chapter 12. Useful exploration of early
Christian literature on this point (and obviously "pre" Le Goff).
Grover Zinn
Oberlin College
On Tue, 12 Oct 1999, Sharon Dale wrote:
> Bill-the phrase isn't consistently present in the earlier creeds but I was
> really wondering if there had been some question regarding descending to
> inferna vs. purgatory in the late middle ages as the notion of a purgatory
> is being shaped a la Le Goff. Any ideas where to look? thanks, Sharon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bill East <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 11:41 AM
> Subject: Re: creed
>
>
> >
> >
> > > Has anyone out there an idea of when the phrase "descendit ad inferos
> > > (inferna) " became normative for the western church Creed after the
> > > earlier councils. Was it contested in the later medieval period? My
> > > reason is that the phrase is often paired with St. Thomas in
> > > associations of apostles and the Creed and that suggests to me that
> > > there might have been some "doubting" that had to be proven..Thanks
> > > much
> >
> > I don't know if anyone did contest the phrase, but it is well grounded
> > in scripture. 1 Peter 3:18f has, "In the body he was put to death, in
> > the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach
> > to the spirits in prison . . .
> >
> > ". . . And because he is their judge too, the dead had to be told the
> > Good news as well . . ." (1 Peter 4:6)
> >
> > To deny the clause would have been to deny the authority of St Peter's
> > letter. Again, I don't know if in fact anyone did so. Stranger things
> > have happened.
> >
> > Bill.
> >
> > =====
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________
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> >
> >
>
Grover A. Zinn (440) 775-8478 (office)
Danforth Professor of Religion (440) 775-8520 (department)
Oberlin College (440) 775-8124 (fax)
Oberlin, OH 44074
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