He Descended into Hell

Charles F. Camlin holds a PhD from the University of Middlesex centring on English Reformation controversies around the Apostles' Creed, as well Master of Theology degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Cranmer Theological House, Texas. He is the Dean of Cranmer Theological House, editor of Cranmer Theological Journal, co-editor of the book Re-formed Catholic Anglicanism, and is a member of the Society of Anglican Theologians. He is married to Kimberly and they have three children and five grandchildren.

'Charles Camlin has written a groundbreaking study of the doctrine of Christ's descent into hell, which will stand as the authoritative book on the topic for years to come. While focusing on the Tudor period of the English Reformation, He Descended into Hell also carefully traces the entire preceding history of the Creed's descent clause. Camlin's meticulous work sheds new light on vigorous debates within the Church of England, tracing both continuity and discontinuity with the patristic and medieval eras. Any future scholarship on the teaching of Christ's descent into hell will have to consult Camlin's remarkable accomplishment.' (Dr. Hans Boersma, Chair in Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House Theological Seminary)'The doctrine of Christ's descent into Hell has a rich interpretive history and became a test case for biblical fidelity among reformational theologians, especially in the Church of England. Camlin's exposition of the doctrine's history and function in Reformation era theology shows us the patristic roots of sixteenth-century theological renewal.' (Rev. Dr. Greg Peters, Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology at Biola University)'Perhaps the most controversial clause in the Apostles' Creed is the statement that "He descended into Hell". Charles Camlin sheds light on this by pointing to its scriptural basis, the way it was understood in the Early Church of the first five centuries and further developments in the Middle Ages. The main focus of his study is on the Church of England in the sixteenth century, especially controversies during the reigns of Henry, Edward and Elizabeth. These are set against the background of the teaching of Erasmus and the Continental Reformers. Camlin is to be congratulated for giving us a lucid, readable and comprehensive account of the debates over the meaning of this clause. This is compulsory reading for anyone with an interest in the topic.' (Tony Lane, Professor of Historical Doctrine at London School of Theology)'Breaking new ground with the first book-length treatment of this neglected subject, Camlin illuminates Christ's descent into hell as a central theme of theological controversy in sixteenth-century England. Set against the richly woven tapestry of patristic and medieval thought, and the re-imagining of the descent in early modern Europe, this is a nuanced and admirably contextualized study.' (Dr Richard Snoddy, Associate Research Fellow at London School of Theology)

• Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1 - He Descended into Hell: The Patristic Background The Terminology Associated with the Doctrine Biblical Passages Associated with the DoctrineThe Doctrine of the Descent in the Second CenturyThe Doctrine of the Descent in the Third CenturyThe Doctrine of the Descent in the Fourth CenturyThe Doctrine of the Descent in the Fifth CenturySummaryChapter 2 - The Doctrine of Christ's Descent into Hellfrom the Medieval Era through the Reign of Edward VI Late Patristic and Medieval Developments Regarding the Doctrine of the Descent The Doctrine of the Descent in the Thought of Erasmus and the Continental Reformers The Doctrine of the Descent in England during the Reign of Henry VIII Devotional and Catechetical Works Official Doctrinal Statements Controversy over the Descent in HenryVIII's Reign The Doctrine of the Descent in England during the Reign of Edward VI Catechetical Works Homiletical and Liturgical WorksOfficial Doctrinal Statements Foreign Influences and Controversies during Edward VI's ReignSummaryChapter 3 - The Doctrine of Christ's Descent into Hell in Elizabethan England The Doctrine of the Descent during the Reign of Mary Tudor The Doctrine of the Descent during the Reign ofElizabeth I The Doctrine of the Descent in the Articlesof Religion The Doctrine of the Descent in Other Officialand Semi-Official Documents of the Churchof England The Doctrine of the Descent in the Sternhold- Hopkins Psalter The Doctrine of the Descent in Continental Reformation Influences on EnglandThe Doctrine of the Descent in Sixteenth- Century Bible TranslationsThe Controversies over the Descent during Elizabeth I's ReignChristopher Carlile vs Richard Smith William Hughes vs John WhitgiftWilliam Fulke vs Gregory Martin John Northbrooke vs the English Church Formularies William Perkins vs John HiginsAdam Hill vs Alexander Hume Thomas Bilson vs Henry Jacob Summary Conclusion AppendixBibliography