ABSTRACT

The hymn addresses Christ as 'Redeemer' and is a plea for his guidance in this world and through death, when the singer will praise Christ eternally. Christ was raised from death and is eternally present within the Trinity. Death and the experience of hell, are now infused with the presence of the eternal Son. As a result, when Christ is raised by the Father the dead are liberated. The argument that Christ could not have experienced the torments of the damned is actually an argument about interpretation. The affirmation 'he descended to the dead' is essential to orthodox Christology. The orthodox views can be divided into those which relate the descent to Christ's humiliation and those which see it as part of his exaltation. This production demonstrates the significance of the doctrine of Christ's descent to the dead. The affirmation 'he descended to the dead' is essential to orthodox Christology.