Book review: Intimately Forsaken
Peter is an Adjunct Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Presbyterian Seminary, UK.
Intimately Forsaken: A Trinitarian Christology of the Cross by Thomas Brand. Palgrave Macmillan Cham, 2024 (216 pages) £119.99 hardcover.
There have been numbers of debates in recent years about how God’s unchanging nature coheres with God’s loving relationship with people. This academic book (which grew out of a doctorate) focuses in on Jesus’ cry of dereliction from the cross as an avenue into exploring these debates. This is done so in an academically rigorous and heartfelt manner.
Thomas Brand’s Intimately Forsaken delves into the theological significance of Christ’s cry of dereliction – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Using the analogy of cathedral architecture, the book examines this cry as a weighty theological pillar supported by interconnected doctrines of Trinitarian theology and Christology. Brand argues that the cry reveals the profound mystery of Christ’s suffering and humanity while affirming the unity and impassibility of the Trinity.
Brand organises his work around four “pillars” that uphold the theological framework of his argument:
The Meaning of “Forsaken” in Mark 15:34: This foundational pillar focuses on the exegesis of the term “forsaken” and its theological implications. Brand contends that Christ’s forsakenness was confined to his human nature and did not entail a rupture within the Trinity.
The Communication of Idioms: Drawing from early Church Fathers like Cyril of Alexandria and Augustine, Brand explores how Christ’s two natures – divine and human – relate. The communication of idioms allows attributes of Christ’s divine nature (e.g., immutability) and human nature (e.g., suffering) to be predicated of the single person of the Son.
Divine Impassibility and Christ’s Suffering: The book defends the classical doctrine of divine impassibility, which holds that God cannot suffer. Brand reconciles this with Christ’s suffering by asserting that it is experienced through his human nature while preserving the unity of the Trinity.
Trinitarian Distinctions: The fourth pillar addresses the distinctions within the Trinity, clarifying that the Son’s cry to the Father does not indicate separation but reflects relational and functional distinctions within the Godhead.
Brand stresses that Christ’s cry must be interpreted within the framework of Trinitarian orthodoxy. He critiques modern theological trends that suggest a rupture in the Trinity or a passible God, arguing instead for the continuity of divine impassibility. The forsakenness of Christ, Brand asserts, was a covenantal experience borne in his human nature as the representative head of humanity. It was not a break in the intra-Trinitarian relationship but a manifestation of divine justice and mercy.
Drawing on historical theology, Brand situates his argument in the context of patristic and scholastic thought, especially the writings of Augustine, Aquinas, and Cyril of Alexandria. He critiques views that downplay the theological unity between Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity, advocating for a cohesive understanding that upholds the centrality of the cross in Trinitarian theology.
Conclusion
Intimately Forsaken underscores that the cry of dereliction is not merely a moment of despair but a profound revelation of God’s love, justice, and self-giving in Christ. Brand concludes that a proper understanding of this cry must reflect the Trinitarian foundations of Scripture, preserving the mystery and majesty of the Triune God while addressing the depths of Christ’s suffering. The book offers a robust defence of classical theism, challenging contemporary reinterpretations of the cross and calling for a renewed focus on historic orthodoxy. While these sorts of academic works are challenging to read, this one is worshipful and honouring of the mystery of God’s perfect, eternal, cross-shaped love.
We also hosted a podcast episode where Dr Peter Sanlon and Graham Nicholls speak to Thomas Brand about his book in more detail. Listen to the discussion here.
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