Trinity at Crucifixion

[Andrew]

My understanding is that during the three hour period between "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and "it is finished," there is a separation between God the Father and God the Son.

But what is the nature of this separation? Clearly it isn't a division in divine essence for God, by His very nature, is One. If it is a 'cutting off' in relationship, how is the Trinity maintained, a perfect community based on the love and glorification of each other? If there is total relational separation between Father and Son, can we even talk about a Father/Son relationship during that time? And how does the nature of this change reflect on a doctrine of an unchanging immutable God?

Also, what is the supposed role of the Holy Spirit during this three hour period?

Thanks.

[Secretary of Education - Colin the Cat]

Methinks that it was a separation of the flesh and the Spirit of Christ, His 2 natures coming apart in a way. It was like the veil of the temple. Jesus' flesh had to be veiled from his deity so that the judgement could be poured out on flesh. The H.S. still did what He always does. Comfort and guide.

[Theology_BOI]

I figure its time I start posting.

If I am correct (which I am not sure of), the words on the Cross of "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" were actually a mistranslation, and that therefore the entire issue of "seperation" is irrelevent. Christ was actually speaking in aramaic, and the phrase "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" actually translates "My God, my God, for this I was kept,"- and that makes a lot more sense indeed! This passage has always seemed rather odd to me in light of the traditional "forsaken" translation, for at first it appears that the "Godman is questioning himself" (by questioning God) so to speak. I am sure there is a more acceptable interperatation of this passage under the traditional translation, so even if the supposedly retranslated aramaic version of Christ's words on the cross is incorrect, this does not detract from the infallibility of scripture.

The aramaic translation may not be reliable, but here are articles that defend it:

http://www.alamoministries.com/Gospel_Messages/English/Jesus_Never_Said..._.html

http://www.redbay.com/ekklesia/triumph.htm

Once again, I am not sure that this retranslation is correct or the site is reliable. The guys who made these sites could be loonies (if anyone from the sites reads this, please forgive me), or they could be legitimate, but even if they were loonies they still might be right about the translation.

Theologically speaking, my understanding is that the Trinity is absolutely indivisible. The divine persons cannot be severed from each other, and I doubt that the Logos seperated itself from Christ's human nature, regardless of what was said on the cross.