missions
Did the Father Really Forsake the Son?
By Thomas Brand The Gospel Coalition
· June 12, 2026
· 7 min read
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The cry of dereliction is one of the deepest and most controversial verses in the Scriptures. What does it mean? And what happened to the Trinity at the cry? Christ’s forsakenness was not just poetic language, and so it raises profound challenges for our u
Key takeaway Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 mention it as the only saying of Christ they record from the cross, and it is a quote from Psalm 22:1.
Why this matters
The cry of dereliction raises profound challenges for understanding salvation and the nature of God, particularly in the context of Christian missions. The historic orthodox understanding that the Son was forsaken by the Father only in his human nature, not in his divinity, has significant implications for how Christians approach evangelism and discipleship. By grasping the distinction between person and nature, as well as the relationship between the Trinity and the incarnation, missionaries can better articulate the gospel message and address questions about the character of God. This nuanced understanding can also inform how Christians engage with suffering and injustice, recognizing that God's impassibility and immutability do not preclude his involvement in human affairs. As Christian charities and relief organizations seek to demonstrate God's love and care for the vulnerable, a deeper understanding of the cry of dereliction can enrich their ministry and witness.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions Published: June 12, 2026 Source: The Gospel Coalition Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The cry of dereliction is one of the deepest and most controversial verses in the Scriptures. What does it mean? And what happened to the Trinity at the cry? Christ’s forsakenness was not just poetic language, and so it raises profound challenges for our u
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Thomas Brand at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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