The Attraction of the Cross

by Gardiner Spring

Publisher:

M. W. Dodd

, 1854

Overview

“Nothing will interest you like the cross. Nothing can do for you what the cross has done.” In The Attraction of the Cross, Gardiner Spring shows that the cross of Christ is the hope of the world: not as a ritual emblem, not as a wonder-working enchantment, but as an expression of the truth of God—and of a religion that is internal, spiritual, practical, intelligible, and personal. Covering a wide range of topics—among them prayer, sin, justification, personal character, and many more—Spring believes that all Christian questions eventually lead back to the cross of Christ. He delivers these truths in 22 powerful chapters.

In the Logos edition of The Attraction of the Cross, all Scripture passages link to your favorite Bible translation in your library. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference—finding, for example, every mention of “grace” or “Matthew 20:28.”

Key Features

• 22 studies on the cross of Christ
• Illustration of the leading truths, obligations, and hopes of Christianity
• Content searchable by topic or Scripture reference

Contents

• The Narrative of the Cross
• The Truth of the Cross
• The Cross an Effective Propitiation for Sin
• The Cross the Only Propitiation
• The Actual Purpose of the Cross
• The Cross Accessible to All
• The Cross a Completed Justification
• Faith in the Cross
• The Inquiring Sinner Directed to the Cross
• A Stumbling Block Removed
• The Greatness of Sin No Obstacle to Salvation by the Cross
• The Holiness of the Cross
• The Religion of the Cross in Distinction from Religions that are False and Spurious
• The Cross the Test of Character
• The Cross the Preservation from Final Apostasy
• Full Assurance of Hope at the Cross
• The World Crucified by the Cross
• All Things Tributary to the Cross
• The Cross the Admiration of the Universe
• The Triumphs of the Cross
• The Sinner’s Excuses Refuted by the Cross
• The Cross Rejected, the Great Sin

Top Highlights

“When Zaleucas, the Italian lawgiver, enacted the law that adultery should be punished with blindness, and his own son was the first transgressor, he honored the law by putting out one of the eyes of his son, and one of his own. Imperfect as the resemblance is, this was a sort of atonement, because it showed that rather than the law should remain unexecuted, the lawgiver himself would share the penalty with the offender.” (Page 53)

“The substitution of the innocent for the guilty is a singular fact in the history of the divine government. It is no ordinary procedure. Nothing like it has ever existed. ‘It seems to stand by itself, an insulated department of Divine Providence.’ It originated with the offended Lawgiver, and was sanctioned in the counsels of his own profound and unsearchable wisdom.” (Page 52)

“The Cross and the Bible stand or fall together. You cannot take away the Cross without demolishing the whole structure; while, if the Cross remains, the whole superstructure remains, ‘built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.’” (Page 29)

“A right conception of what is included in the Cross, insures a right conception of every important doctrine contained in the Bible. This is the hinge on which the whole system turns, and the great truth by which alone any and all truths can be understood.” (Page 34)

“The Cross will be remembered when everything else is forgotten. It has intrinsic power, and God himself has invested it with attractions peculiarly its own. The Scriptures point to the Cross, and say, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’” (Page 19)

Praise for the Print Edition

We always expect something good from Dr. Spring, and seldom, if ever, are we disappointed. This we think one of his best books.

—Biblical Repository and Classical Review

The present work fully sustains his high character as a divine and as a scholar.

—The Methodist Review

Dr. Spring has a happy versatility of pastoral talent, and has done the cause of religion much service by the variety and worth of his publications.

—Religious Recorder

Well written, scriptural, and fitted to be useful to many classes.

—The Presbyterian Review

Rich in thought, terse and eloquent in style, and full of evangelical sentiment.

—British Quarterly Review

We need only say in relation to the work, that it is thoroughly evangelical, clear and forcible in style, and very attractive in its statements of most important truth. The Christian public will thank the venerated author for this, another volume from his pen.

—The Evangelical Repository

This is no ordinary everyday volume of sermons, but the rich ripe harvest of a cultivated mind, the result of long and systematic devotion to the proper work of the Christian ministry. We regard Dr. Spring as one of the most accomplished preachers of the country. We never heard him preach a weak discourse; and whenever he appears from the press, it is with words of wisdom and power. A careful perusal of this admirable book has afforded us great pleasure. It will have a lasting reputation.

—The Baptist Memorial and Monthly Record

Product Details

• Title: The Attraction of the Cross
• Author: Gardiner Spring
• Publisher: M. W. Dodd
• Publication Date: 1854
• Pages: 413

About Gardiner Spring

Gardiner Spring (1785–1873) pastored the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City for over 55 years. Spring attended Yale College and later studied at Andover Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1809 and became the pastor of Brick Presbyterian soon after. He was elected to the board at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1814. Spring has authored several books, including The Attraction of the Cross and Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character.