Hi Derek,

What impresses me also is the overhwelming patristic evidence here. It all points to a cross. There is not a single statement in early times that it was a mere stake. These early people had indefinitely better means to know than anyone living today has. As Justin and Tertullian made clear, they also faced crucifixion themselves so they would have a pretty good insight of how romans executed people.

Rutherford wanted his followers to be different. To be able to point fingers at the churches. And that is the actual reason for coming up with the denial that it was a cross. The Watchtower movement is constantly harping on this one. Had it not been for that, there would hardly ever be any discussion of it.