Attraction of the cross - Spring - II - Chapter 2 (The truth of the cross)

Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 2 (The truth of the cross).

My summary
This week Spring explains the truth of the cross.

Firstly he teaches us that the narrative of the cross is a historically true narrative.

Then Spring shows that the cross is true because it is far in advance of all other religions revealed from heaven.  This is seen by the fact that the cross:
(i) is the most compendious and vivid expression of religious truth;
(ii) reveals the true character of God;
(iii) reveals the true character of man;
(iv) reveals the distinction between the righteous and the wicked;
(v) is the last revelation of God's will to man.

What grabbed me
I appreciated how Spring demonstrated that the cross reveals man's sinfulness: 'One would suppose that men need no other instruction upon the great doctrine of human sinfulness except their own experience and observation, and the melancholy light which is cast upon this truth by the pages of history. The fact that men are sinners is indeed here taught with sufficient clearness ; but the intenseness of their moral depravity, and the infinite demerit of sin, are taught only by the Cross. The self-gratulatory and self-complacent notions which they entertain of themselves and their fellows, the wretched subterfuges for their wickedness, and all their exulting self righteousness, disappear before the stern and melting rebuke of Calvary. " If one died for all, then were all dead." — " The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost." Who does not see that the mighty remedy indicates the malignant and deadly disease? Nothing but the deepest and direst exigency could have demanded, or even justified such a sacrifice as the death of God's eternal Son. The sufferings of Christ are the most affecting testimony of man's unyielding, helpless depravity, in the universe. Nor do they indicate less clearly his true and proper ill-desert, than the fires that shall never be quenched. '

A great punishment indicates great sin.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 3 (The cross an effective propitiation for sin).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.