Can You Be Good Without God?
In 2002, Five by Two produced a film that was, to say the least, thought provoking. Time Changer is the story of Dr. Russell Carlisle, professor in a Bible Seminary in 1890. It begins as Dr. Carlisle is presenting a manuscript for approval to other staff at the school. But approval is not unanimous. One professor, Dr. Norris Anderson, 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.
When asked what is wrong with society, Alexander Solzhenitsyn answered, “It has forgotten God.” In other words, emphasis on kindness and love and morality is not enough. It only takes one 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 put it another way. “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.”
To illustrate this, consider an elementary school in the western US that prides itself on teaching character. In fact, the primary character qualities are written in mosaic tile at the entrance, qualities such as honest, diligence, and no put-downs. Daily the fifth grade students recite this in unison: “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 is left out. What does this list mean without Christ at the foundation? 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.’ See the difference?
Teaching character without God is similar to the story of seven tailors who wove the invisible clothes for the king. Only the wise saw the clothes so no one would admit they didn’t. On the day of the presentation, everyone spoke of the magnificent wardrobe until a small boy yelled, “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.
The author of this article has tried to remedy this situation by writing stories that teach character building with a clear foundation. There are also several biographies he has written which are available online, including people such as Florence Nightingale and Peter Cartwright.