Art Reading Scripture
- trinitymilaca
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water. 1 Peter 3:18-20
Hieronymus Bosch was a Dutch painter from the late 1400's. His style tended toward the macabre rather than to realism. He was kind of the Edgar Allan Poe of artists in that age. Many imitated him or were schooled by him and followed his style, because it had a certain popularity and fascination. It stark imagery and detail drew the eye to ponder it. The painting "The Descent into Limbo" may be a close copy of a Bosch painting that has since been lost. It was not unusual for followers of a artist to imitate style or possibly recreate paintings for a client.
The Harrowing of Hell, or The Descent into Limbo, is a story told in the Gospel of Nicodemus. The closest the New Testament comes to alluding to this story is the saying of Peter. The "spirits in prison who in former times did not obey" even reaching back to "the days of Noah" were ministered to be Christ and freed from Hades. The variation of the creed, "he descended to the dead/into hell" also alludes to the idea. Paintings on this theme include many characters from the old stories, Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, kings, and a whole crowd of others. Sometimes they were clothed and looking in good health. Often they were naked. Christ reached out his hand to them to draw them to himself and take them to heaven. Hell was not eternal.
The Gospel of Nicodemus dates from the 4-5th century. It purports to be written by, "Ananias, an officer of the guard" under Pontius Pilate, who possessed a text written by Nicodemus. The story tells of Christ's Saturday activities after the crucifixion. John the Baptist was preaching to the souls of the dead in Hades including Adam, the prophets and the patriarchs. While they were overjoyed with the message of John, Satan and Hades began to wonder about Jesus who had just died of whom John spoke. Suddenly a loud voice thundered, "Lift up your gates ... and the King of glory shall come in." The gates of Hades were about to fall under the assault of the Christ's redemption. Though the demons tried to defend the gates of Hades they were defeated. It was at that time that Satan was bound with iron fetters until the second coming described in the Revelation of St. John. Christ raised up Adam and spoke to the rest of the souls imprisoned there, "Come with me, all you who have suffered death through the tree which this man touched. For behold, I raise you all up again through the tree of the cross." As they arose and followed they sang, "Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord. Alleluia To him be the glory of all the saints."
The artist put this scene front and center in this otherwise dark and horror filled painting. The city in the background is on fire. The demons hang someone on the gallows. Likely that someone was Judas who died in this manner. At the time of this painting no one could conceive the idea that Judas might also be rescued. Others are being led around in the darkness with no hope. Cutting across the scene on a diagonal from the lower right to the upper left is the scene of resurrection, hope and redemption. The previously condemned souls rise from a tomb, the covering stone cast aside. The emerge bewildered, but raise their arms in praise and their hands in prayer. Christ floats above them. With one hand he holds the victorious standard of the cross. With the other he reaches down to assist them as they rise. Christ is dressed barely in the grave clothes covering his waist, but also with the cape of one whose victory is has been won. The wounds are still apparent in his hand and feet. The small halo that usually encircles the head here encircles his whole being. Further along on the diagonal is another bright scene, odd structures to be sure, but not burning. People mingle around the base of it and a beam of light streams down upon them from the dark clouds above. Light light of heaven reaches the depths of hell.
How far does the redemption Christ brings go? Who finally is separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus, if anyone? We quaver before extreme prospects of the extent of God's grace? The scriptures might also leave us in limbo with some speaking of an all encompassing mercy and others seeming to caveats on the grace of God. We are called to proclaim forgiveness and mercy in Christ Jesus and to leave judgment in God's care.
Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.
Pastor Tim Bauer