What Good Are Morals If They Have No Foundation? | Religion and Spirituality

By JimSwanson
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Word Count: 519

Since the year 2002, the movie Time Changer (Five by Two Productions) has been provoking Christians to consider the place of morality without theology. In other words, is it adequate to teach how to act without a basis from Scripture? In the story, seminary professor Russell Carlisle presents a manuscript for approval by the staff. But approval is not unanimous. Dr. Norris Anderson maintains that teaching Christ's standard of living without Christ will never work.

The struggle between these two men intensifies until finally Carlisle accepts the invitation to visit his adversary at his home. There he is introduced to a time travel machine, invented by Dr. Anderson. Carlisle is transported through more than a 100 years of time to see the result of teaching morality without God in the very community where he lived. The few days' experience motivated Carlisle to rewrite his manuscript.

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."

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?

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."

So character without God is naked of the foundation on which it must stand. When that foundation is removed, it can do nothing but collapse for the next generation will say, "Why should we act that way?" There is no reason. Morality is naked. And indeed, apart from God, it is.

About the Author

Character stories, when read with this view in mind, can help guide younger generations to the true Source of character. Do your part by reading (or pointing out) these free character building stories to youth you care for.

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