Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The descent of Jesus Christ to the dead has been a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith, as indicated by its inclusion in both the Apostles' and Athanasian Creeds. But it has also been the subject of suspicion and scrutiny, especially from evangelicals. Led by the mystery and wonder of Holy Saturday, Matthew Emerson offers an exploration of the biblical, historical, theological, and practical implications of the descent"-- Provided by publisher.

Description based on print version record.

Part one : biblical, historical, and theological foundations -- "I believe" : evangelicalism, creedal authority, and the descent -- "He descended to the dead" : a biblical defense of the descent -- "On the third day He rose from the dead, and He ascended into heaven" : a historical defense of the descent -- Part two : the descent and Christian dogmatics -- "God the Father Almighty...Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...and the Holy Spirit" : classical trinitarianism and the descent -- "Maker of heaven and earth" : the descent and the doctrine of creation -- "Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary" : Christological anthropology in descent perspective -- "The forgiveness of sins" : the descent and the doctrine of salvation -- "The holy Catholic Church and the communion of the saints" : the descent and ecclesiology -- "The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting" : the descent and eschatology -- Part three : the descent and the Christian life -- "Amen" : pastoral and practical implications of the descent.