A Necessary Smelting

The book explores the dual significance of the cross in Christianity, emphasizing both its objective aspect—Christ's suffering for humanity's sins—and its subjective impact on believers. Leonhard Schiemer, a sixteenth-century Anabaptist leader, argues that experiencing the pain of Christ's cross is essential for spiritual transformation and deepening one's relationship with God. This transformative suffering leads to profound joy, highlighting the cross not just as a symbol of faith, but as a central element in the Christian journey of personal growth and love.