#188 The Harrowing – Jesus Descends Into Hell (Special Holy Week Podcast)

In this special Holy Saturday episode of The Soul Unleashed Podcast, I explore a lesser-known but theologically rich event: the Harrowing of Hell—the belief that Jesus descended into the realm of the dead between His crucifixion and resurrection.

Growing up in the Catholic tradition, I never gave Holy Saturday much thought. It was a quiet, in-between day—a time to dye eggs and prep Easter baskets. But recently, I came across a deeper layer to this day: an ancient teaching that Jesus didn’t rest, but descended into Sheol—a shadowy place where souls had been waiting since the beginning of time.

In this episode, I reflect on:

• What does it mean that Jesus “descended into hell,” as stated in the Apostles’ Creed
• The biblical foundations for the Harrowing, especially in 1 Peter 3 and 4
• The concept of Sheol, Hades, and the Bosom of Abraham
• What early theologians like Saint Augustine and Saint Aquinas had to say about the purification of souls
• The puzzling question: If purgatory is required now, why wasn't it required then?

This episode also looks at the contrast between traditional Christian theology and modern spiritual beliefs, especially around reincarnation, soul contracts, and what happens after death.

Whether you embrace Catholic doctrine, explore spirituality beyond religion, or are just curious about what happened during that mysterious pause between Good Friday and Easter, this episode is an invitation to reflect on what we’ve been taught—and what might still be waiting to be uncovered.