Christianity is impossible without the cross. Christian life revolves around coming to the cross and following the Crucified One. Our acceptance into God’s family begins at the cross, and the focus of Christian ministry is to preach the cross. Today’s pristine theological discourse leaves little room for the cross. Modern minds view the idea of atonement as barbaric and antiquated. Salvation did not come through an enlightened humanity but through the bloody sacrifice of a sinless Man on behalf of a shameful race. -Allen Hood