The New Gospel

What overcame the world, because it was what the world desired, was not a moral reform — for that was preached by every sect; not an ascetic regime — for that was practiced … by pagan philosophers; not brotherly love within the Church — for Jews had and have that at least in equal measure; but what overcame the world was what Saint Paul said he would always preach: Christ and him crucified.  Therein was a new poetry, a new ideal, a new God.