The Cross – Old and New

I came across these thoughts by  A.W. Tozer today, and they gave me reason to stop and think.

If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelicalism is not the cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity.

The old cross slew men, the new cross entertains them.

The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses.

The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.

 

A.W. Tozer, The Divine Conquest

 Was he right? Is he right?

If so, what, in your opinion, should be our response? This is definitely worth more than a passing thought!

—PLR—

PS – I learned from the managing editor at Inter-Varsity Press years ago that it’s OK to disagree with a published author. We were studying together once a week, going through a work by Eugene Peterson. One week I tactfully said, “I’m going to say this carefully, but I’m not sure I fully agree with this paragraph.” Andrew smiled at me and surprised me with his reply. “You know, I disagreed with him when he submitted the manuscript, and I still disagree. But I know how he arrived at his conclusion. Let’s take it apart and see what we come up with.”