The world is becoming increasingly atheistic. People think because they can’t see a God, there isn’t one. They reason God was created by man to explain the universe.

The ancients had no knowledge of modern science, so it follows these animals who evolved from amoeba to monkey to man had to have some way to explain how they came to be. They created gods to soothe their fears of the unknown.

Now the world looks to science to explain everything. It must be first a hypothesis, data must be collected, and a study must be conducted. Then the theory becomes fact, even if the scientist must shape his or her data to match the confines of the hypotheses.

Of course, not in all cases. There are scientists who truly practice the laws of science and admit they cannot explain some things about the creation of man and keep searching, while others jump on any half-baked theory and teach it as gospel.

Jesus, when he was teaching in the temple, set forth His own scientific study to the unbelieving Jews. It still works today if people are willing to give it an all-American try.

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
(John 7:14-17 KJV)

In other words, “Take this hypothesis I have laid out. Live the doctrine I am teaching, and you will know where it came from and if it is true.”

It would be a great exercise for the agnostic, the atheist – and for anyone else for that matter. If they would practice the laws of Christianity, it would change their lives, and if everyone espoused the teachings of Christ, it would change the world.

Jesus’ doctrine presupposed and embodied the teaching of Moses. The Jews were familiar and, in many cases, had changed the law of Moses into a whip to beat the gentry and to gain power over the people. Jesus was teaching the law of love that encompassed the law of Moses but went deeper, expecting his followers to not only keep the law but to do it with a heart full of charity.

Jesus taught, “Don’t just refrain from committing adultery. Don’t even look on another person with lust in your heart.” Don’t just refrain from bearing false witness, go the second mile with someone who compels you to go a mile. If someone wants your coat, give him your cloak also. Love your enemies and pray for them rather than seeking exacting punishment and revenge on them.

What a difference it would make in a society hell-bent on the slippery slope of hatred and violence. In a country where people storm into restaurants screaming obscenities and accost American leaders for taking a stance on political issues. In a nation where leaders instruct each other to break the law to further their personal political agendas.

In a country where defamation of character is common for political gain. Where law officers are shot and killed to make a point and sports players kneel in protest rather than in prayer. What a difference the doctrine of Christ would make: Jesus said:

“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”

In other words, don’t argue and fight one with another. Find a way to common ground. Work it out so the matter doesn’t have to be decided by the courts, where the consequence is often more trouble and expensive than the item being haggled over. Sometimes it takes sacrifice on your part. Sometimes it takes looking at the issue from the other person’s perspective.

Sometimes it takes turning the other cheek and letting it go, but it always means being kind. True Christians are not concerned about winners or losers. They are always on the lookout for the “win-win” solution. They want both parties to have the best.

Don’t get me wrong. Crimes need to be reported and punished. Jesus never advocated or showed the example of a doormat philosophy where you lie down and let people abuse you.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Wow. What would that do to the pornography industry and rape victims? What would that do to the divorce rate in this country and the children being raised by single parents? What would it do for the schools who must teach children who are despondent and depressed because of shattered homes? What a difference that simple doctrine would make in the lives of millions.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

In simple language, look at your weaknesses and get rid of them. Make it your daily quest to become a little better by casting out things in your life that offends God. Hell isn’t just after life. Hell begins here. C.S. Lewis in his book The Great Divorce makes it clear:

“Son,” he said, “ye cannot in your present state understand eternity ... That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, ‘No future bliss can make up for it,’ not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say ‘Let me have but this and I’ll take the consequences’: little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin even before death. The good man’s past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven: the bad man’s past already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness. And that is why ... the Blessed will say ‘We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven,’: and the Lost, ‘We were always in Hell.’ And both will speak truly.”

People without God may seem to be happy in their present state of wanton riotous living, but some day they will face the truth. Like the young man in the parable of the “Prodigal Son,” they will come to themselves, in their misery, and wonder how they got there. They will search for what they have lost, and in a moment of truth, hopefully, will turn to God.

If they do, they will find peace, yet they will regret the wasted years and the lives they have shaped into their own godless image. If they don’t turn to God, they will leave this life to face the God who is a stranger to them and will find the Hell they thought was never there, and it will look very much like the misery they tried to leave behind.

Jesus’ simple profound doctrine is powerful. Modern scientists should approve because it starts with a hypothesis and is replete with an opportunity to collect data and proof. He asks us to live His doctrine and see what happens. The result would be a changed life, society and the world. I don’t see any philosophy in the world that offers so much.

Show me a philosophy not tied to Christianity that does not break down into factions that hurt and destroy others. Christianity builds, embraces, enlivens and edifies. Jesus promises, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Check it out, live it, and you will know.  

Yevet Crandell Tenney is a Christian columnist who loves American values and traditions. She writes about faith, family and freedom.