A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance
by Fred G. Zaspel
I just came across this helpful little book today. Hyde provides a brief and perhaps one of the simplest introductions to the study of the notoriously puzzling doctrine of the descent of Christ. In under 70 pages, he surveys the various interpretations, along with the arguments for and against, defends the traditional Reformed views, and suggests the practical value of the teaching.
Hyde argues that the two traditional Reformed views are mutually compatible – as to the body of Jesus Christ, he descended into the state of death; as to his soul, he suffered the agonies of hell.
Because Scripture provides relatively scant exegetical detail, many have determined that this doctrine just cannot be defined with certainty. And due to its brevity, Hyde’s work is not the final word, but its brevity and simplicity render it a remarkably helpful introduction to the study. Certainly one of the best places to begin.