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The Battle for the Keys: Revelation 1:18 and Christ's Descent into the Underworld
There has been a lack of serious historical investigation of the famous creedal statement 'Christ descended into hell' that was universally affirmed by the church for the first 1,500 years of Church history. This book is an in-depth investigation of the history of the doctrine of Christ's descent and how Revelation 1:18 alludes to Christ's descent.
COMMENDATION
"In The Battle for the Keys Justin Bass leads us through an exceptional exegetical, historical, and theological exploration of the question of both the whether and whither of the Christ's descensus ad infernos. Whatever doubters or believers choose to do with Dr Bass's competent and convincing evidence, arguments and conclusions, they cannot choose to ignore them."
- Michael J. Svigel, Dallas Theological Seminary, USA
COMMENDATION
"In The Battle for the Keys Justin Bass leads us through an exceptional exegetical, historical, and theological exploration of the question of both the whether and whither of the Christ's descensus ad infernos. Whatever doubters or believers choose to do with Dr Bass's competent and convincing evidence, arguments and conclusions, they cannot choose to ignore them."
- Michael J. Svigel, Dallas Theological Seminary, USA
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 20, 2023
Great book, just docked it one star for not having charts.
May 21, 2023
In this book, Justin Bass argues for the overwhelmingly historical position that Christ descended to the underworld. While this position has garnered almost universal support from the early church, a surprising amount of New Testament scholars reject this doctrine. This book is divided into 6 chapters.
The first chapter gives an account of what the apostle's creed asserts about the descensus and what the early church fathers believed about the Descensus. This doctrine has support in apocryphal books such as the Gospel of Peter, as well as having explicit support from early church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Melito of Sardis (note: this is just from the second century). Chapter 2 examines Death and Hades in the Greco-Roman World, the Old Testament, Second Temple Literature, and the New Testament, where Death and Hades ultimately meet their end. Chapter 3 explores the "keys" language in the NT (Matt. 16:19; Luke 11:52; Rev. 1:18; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1). Chapter 4 explores the various compartments in the underworld such as Death, Hades, Paradise, Abraham's Bosom, Abyss, Tartarus, Gehenna, and the Lake of fire. Chapter 5 exegetically what the four authors the NT thought about the Descensus (Matthew, Luke, Paul, and Peter). Chapter 6 builds on the previous chapters and makes the case that the Descensus is in view of Revelation 1:18.
Overall, I thought this book was incredible and definitely deserves to be read. Especially if you are looking for a book a displays a nuanced view of the afterlife. I cannot tell you how many books I have read about the afterlife that completely ignore the Old Testament, but this sin is not repeated in this book.
The first chapter gives an account of what the apostle's creed asserts about the descensus and what the early church fathers believed about the Descensus. This doctrine has support in apocryphal books such as the Gospel of Peter, as well as having explicit support from early church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Melito of Sardis (note: this is just from the second century). Chapter 2 examines Death and Hades in the Greco-Roman World, the Old Testament, Second Temple Literature, and the New Testament, where Death and Hades ultimately meet their end. Chapter 3 explores the "keys" language in the NT (Matt. 16:19; Luke 11:52; Rev. 1:18; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1). Chapter 4 explores the various compartments in the underworld such as Death, Hades, Paradise, Abraham's Bosom, Abyss, Tartarus, Gehenna, and the Lake of fire. Chapter 5 exegetically what the four authors the NT thought about the Descensus (Matthew, Luke, Paul, and Peter). Chapter 6 builds on the previous chapters and makes the case that the Descensus is in view of Revelation 1:18.
Overall, I thought this book was incredible and definitely deserves to be read. Especially if you are looking for a book a displays a nuanced view of the afterlife. I cannot tell you how many books I have read about the afterlife that completely ignore the Old Testament, but this sin is not repeated in this book.
June 28, 2025
Well researched. Filled with references. A most have. Anyone arguing against the victorious local descent of Christ, either biblically or historically, would have difficulties to deal with the overwhelming case this book make.
June 21, 2025
Very clearly articulated
This book has lit up my thinking. Opened my eyes. Made sense of a theology that had become stagnant. A great little reference book to return to. Not a speculative work but one looking at the facts and stating them clearly for every person. Very interesting history too I didn't know much about. Jesus' death wasn't just for sin but to actually lead out those who believe and follow him from death and Hades. This book brings various biblical pieces together. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He WAS dead but IS now alive!
This book has lit up my thinking. Opened my eyes. Made sense of a theology that had become stagnant. A great little reference book to return to. Not a speculative work but one looking at the facts and stating them clearly for every person. Very interesting history too I didn't know much about. Jesus' death wasn't just for sin but to actually lead out those who believe and follow him from death and Hades. This book brings various biblical pieces together. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He WAS dead but IS now alive!
April 14, 2022
Bass is careful and precise when providing the necessary background information to understand the descent. Bass is convincing in his arguments and the book really hits its stride in the final chapter. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2018
Very good. Only flaw is his lame prose.
October 14, 2024
A definitive work on the subject
Well researched and written. Good comparisons with other authors to back up his thesis. Good analysis of a challenging topic.
Well researched and written. Good comparisons with other authors to back up his thesis. Good analysis of a challenging topic.
February 11, 2025
Great
Very good study will read again and be an important book in my library. Good research and enriching and will cause you to do further study.
Very good study will read again and be an important book in my library. Good research and enriching and will cause you to do further study.
February 13, 2025
I haven’t read a better breakdown of the underworld and the “places” referenced in the Bible of where people “go” after death.
September 18, 2025
He makes an interesting case that I did not find convincing.
October 22, 2016
This book is full of excellent content on the doctrine of Christ's descent into the underworld. The OT, NT, and Jewish and Greco-Roman writings are all considered. Bass offers a summary and compelling synthesis of the data.
(One point is deducted due to a lack of clarity in his prose at times, as well as several prominent typographical errors. However, the latter could be due to the kindle version as they appeared to be copying errors. Aside from this, the book is 5 stars).
(One point is deducted due to a lack of clarity in his prose at times, as well as several prominent typographical errors. However, the latter could be due to the kindle version as they appeared to be copying errors. Aside from this, the book is 5 stars).
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews