The Consolation of the Cross

Reflecting on the crucifixion of Christ, the liberal Social Gospel theologian Walter Rauschenbusch claimed, “It requires no legal fiction of imputation to explain that ‘he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.’ Solidarity explains it.” He goes on to note six social causes of the cross: 1) “religious bigotry,” 2) “graft and political power,” 3) “the corruption of justice,” 4) “mob spirit and mob action,” 5) “militarism,” and 6) “class contempt.” Underscoring his point, he adds, “Jesus bore these sins in no legal or artificial sense, but in their impact on his own body and soul.” He insists that these constitute “the social sin of all mankind, to which all who ever lived have contributed, and under which all who ever lived have suffered.”