How good is this Friday?

As everyone has noticed by now, today is Good Friday. (That's why your office closed early.) But what makes this Friday better than any other? In fact, without the celebration of Jesus' resurrection Sunday, isn't it a lot worse?

As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:

(I)f Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Over at the Huffington Post, Chris Meserole discusses the political reasons we call this Good Friday.

The pat explanation for the misnomer, of course, is that the crucifixion was "good" precisely because it was so tragic. The total depravity of the cross, that is, was beneficial insofar as it allowed Christ to demonstrate the superlative glory and power and mercy of God.

Yet such logic is as dangerous as it is flawed. For starters ...