The Cross: a reality so repulsive in the first century that it was considered inappropriate for conversation. The suffering and shame that it inflicted was reserved for criminals who were slaves, foreigners, or other "nonpersons." Despite this, the cross has endured as the symbol of the Christian faith. Jesus' death on the cross, and his resurrection, is the central focus of the Christian faith. As Western Christianity looks upon Christ's suffering on the cross, it has focused mostly on one very important aspect of Christ's work-the objective aspect that he suffered for us in order to deal...