Moltmann's book The Crucified God details the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the impact of his sacrifice, as well as the truth about his divinity and the nature of the Trinity. The implications of this have ramifications throughout history, and Moltmann explores in detail the hope that these doctrines can offer in times of tribulation. His characters include various historical figures who have had an impact on modern Christianity.

Christ and the Trinity

Moltmann explores the concept of Christ and the Trinity in this work in great detail. His emphasis is on the Deity of Christ—by calling Christ a “deity,” Moltmann implies that he fully the son of God and united with God. The implication of his divinity is that he was a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, and this affords us the hope of eternal life because he atoned for our sins. Additionally, Moltmann explores the hope and positivity offered by the Triune God; he describes God existing both in heaven—from which He intercedes on our behalf—and on earth, in the midst of our sufferings.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine of Hippo, who lived in the fourth century CE, is mentioned as one of the proponents of a very strict Unitarianism, which states that God is one and not multiple. This aspect of Christian dogma is different from the idea of polytheism in that there is only one God; however, God is divided into three personas: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Saint Augustine’s philosophy was revolutionary to Christianity; however, Moltmann is more fond of the Eastern Orthodox idea of the Social Trinitarian concept, which teaches that the three personas of God are separate but in perfect unity.

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud was a neurologist in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; he is famous for the invention of psychoanalysis. Freud is mentioned briefly in this text when Moltmann discusses the perversion of faith and the hope that faith is rampant in society. Freud theorized that every major religion or social dogma is subject to perversion or distortion due to the typical failings of humanity. Moltmann agrees and claims that even Christianity is not immune to this concept, which is why he writes the book—in an attempt to clarify the deity of Christ.