The Suffering of Love: Christ’s Descent into the Hell of Human Hopelessness … In Conversation with Regis Martin


One of the best interviews Bruce and I ever had discussing the many aspects of the Holy Saturday experience. Dr. Regis Martin is a professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and the author of several books on spirituality and theology.

Be sure to check out Dr. Martin’s book here

Making sense of human suffering is a challenge in every age, and many a person confronted with man’s inhumanity to his fellow man has lost his faith in a good God. The Holocaust, in particular, because of the scope of its ruthlessness, has raised the question for modern man: “What kind of God allows the horrible and systematic murder of so many innocent people?”

Quoting widely from Christian, Jewish and secular sources, Regis Martin makes an unflinching examination of this universal question on the meaning of suffering. By meditating on Christ’s passion, death and descent into Hell, he asks us to consider anew the God who overcomes evil by plunging himself into the depths of human misery.

2 thoughts on “The Suffering of Love: Christ’s Descent into the Hell of Human Hopelessness … In Conversation with Regis Martin”

  1. He is my favorite – I told Mike Aquilina I have a school girl crush on Dr. Regis Martin but I discovered he is everyone’s favorite. He is so humble and I love hearing him speak. I get people to watch recorded Steubenville Presents with me and they fall in love with this man after he makes 4 comments. They look at me with wide eyes like, “Who is THIS?”

    Fr Michael is leaving and it will be sad because he is such a gentle soul as a moderator and, of course, Scott Hahn is great on the program and then there is Dr. Regis . . . sigh. “delighted to be with you” he says!

    Every answer knocks you over – I loved the fact that YOU told him all those wonderful things, Kris. You are so good at what you do, as is that lovely gentleman, Bruce!

  2. It is a debated point among Theologians about what occurred on Holy Saturday. Von Balthasar argued that Christ’s suffering continued even after his death on the Cross and did not end until his Resurrection. Others believe he gloriously released the patriarchs from the ‘Limbo of the Fathers.’ It is not a matter of dogma, so Catholics are free to discuss the matter. A really helpful exchange can be found on First Things:
    http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/10/was-balthasar-a-heretic

    Dr. Martin’s book is assuming Von Balthasar’s position. His reflections reveal how much fruit can be produced by meditating on it. That could be a reason why it may well be true.

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