What Good Are Morals If They Have No Basis?
A thought provoking film by the name of Time Change was released by Five by Two Productions in 2002. It told the story of Dr. Russell Carlisle, a professor at a Bible Seminary in 1890. In the story, seminary professor Russell Carlisle presents a manuscript for approval by the staff. But approval is not unanimous. One professor, Dr. Norris Anderson, states he will not endorse a document that teaches Christian morality without the person of Christ is still effective.
Tension between these two professors grows until Dr. Carlisle accepts the invitation to visit Dr. Anderson at his home. There he is introduced to a time travel machine Dr. Anderson has created and is finally talked into trying it. Immediately he is taken from 1890 to the early 2000’s for a few shocking days of seeing what society is like when morality is taught without theology. Dr. Carlisle is compelled by this experience to rewrite his manuscript upon his return.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn was asked what is wrong with society. He answered, “It has forgotten God.” In other words, emphasis on kindness and love and morality is not enough. It only takes a generation to forget why they are acting that way at all. Daniel Boorstin stated, “Trying to plan for the future (conduct) without a sense of the past (foundation of conduct) is like trying to plant cut flowers.” George MacDonald said, “No teacher (including story writers) should strive to make men think as he thinks, but to lead them to the living Truth, to the Master himself, of whom alone they can learn anything.”
For example, consider a school in the south where character is the daily focus. Honesty, diligence, and other qualities are in fact tiled in mosaic at the entrance. Recitations are said in unison every day in the fifth grade: “I am wonderful; I am important; I am worthwhile; I make a difference; I am smart; I care about myself; I smile a lot; I am brave; I am successful; I am confident; I am strong inside; I can say No; I keep trying; I am a precious worthwhile mistake-making person.” This is a public school so, of course, God cannot be mentioned. Without Christ at the foundation, what does this list mean? Will reciting it daily convince a student it is true? Now add the Person of Jesus Christ. ‘In Christ I can make a difference. In Christ I am precious to God. In Christ I have strength to continue.’ Placing the focus on God instead of self makes all the difference.
Remember the story of the King’s Robe? Seven tailors claimed they could weave the most beautiful garments imaginable but only wise people could see them. Of course, no one wanted to admit they were not wise so everyone, including the king, claimed they saw them. Finally during the procession, one little lad revealed the deception by shouting, “The king is naked.”
Without God character is also naked of the foundation on which it must stand. Without that foundation, it can do nothing but collapse. The next generation will say, “Why should we act that way?” There is no reason. Ultimately, the motive for doing right must be to please God.
Jim Swanson has tried to remedy this situation by writing character stories that clearly present the reason for the values taught. Many biographies are also available on his website, including the stories of Hudson Taylor and Isaac Newton.