From the earliest period of its existence christianity has been recognized as the religion of the cross some of the great monuments of western art are representations of the brutal torture and execution of christ despite the horror of crucifixion we often find such images beautiful the beauty of the cross expresses the central paradox of christian faith the cross of christs execution . From the earliest period of its existence christianity has been recognized as the religion of the cross some of the great monuments of western art are representations of the brutal torture and execution of christ despite the horror of crucifixion we often find such images beautiful. The beauty of the cross the passion of christ in theology and the arts from the catacombs to the eve of the renaissance viladesau richard simon bennett 9780195367119 books amazonca. The beauty of the cross the passion of christ in theology and the arts from the catacombs to the eve of the renaissance viladesau richard 9780195188110 books amazonca