The story of Ernest Shackleton provides evidence that flawed humanity has the potential for unselfish good under tremendous adversity. It supplies proof of the existence of God. And it demonstrates that there is never an excuse for gross mistreatment of fellow human beings.

I do not see Shackleton as a great man. Rather, he is an ordinary man who demonstrated great qualities under adversity. Like all of us, he was imperfect, and made mistakes. His circumstance robbed him of all that he valued most, leaving him with only his life, and those of his men. Yet, in that condition, he stuck to the higher calling of his God-given conscience. While not claiming to be a particularly devout man, he demonstrated by altruistic conduct that he knew God. How so?

Shackleton was willing to make extraordinary sacrifices in an effort to help others. Such willingness to help others even if at great personal cost is seen in all races and cultures, and it argues against the claim that man evolved by the law of the jungle, “the survival of the fittest.” Francis S. Collins, a geneticist who led the U.S. government’s effort to decipher the human genome (DNA), said: “Selfless altruism presents a major challenge for the evolutionist. . . . It cannot be accounted for by the drive of individual selfish genes to perpetuate themselves.” He also said: “Some people sacrificially give of themselves to those who are outside their group and with whom they have absolutely nothing in common. . . . That doesn’t seem like it can be explained by a Darwinian model.”

Our inner sense of right and wrong, a sense of fairness that motivates altruism is guided by conscience. As geneticist Francis S. Collins concedes, man’s possession of a conscience cannot be explained by evolution. However, it is explained by God’s Word. The Bible writer Paul wrote: “People of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law. - Romans 2:14 The law they give evidence of having by “nature” is a God-given conscience.

Shackleton’s story furnishes proof that men posses a God-given, God-oriented conscience. And, in spite of our inherently imperfect, frail nature, we can choose to follow the dictates of a healthy conscience under the worst of circumstances.

When Hitler’s officers were put on trial in Nuremeburg after World War II for crimes against humanity, their primary defense was that they were simply following orders. However, International Military Tribunal law states that “Patriotic obedience in crime does not establish innocence.” This law recognizes that all men are obligated to follow the proddings of conscience when ordered to commit acts that they know to be crimes against humanity. As further stated during the Nuremberg trials; “The conscience of humanity is the foundation of all law.” Many of Hitler’s officers were judged guilty, and sentenced to death for ignoring the voice of conscience. Yet, one can find extraordinary examples of conscience among Hitler’s contemporaries in Nazi Germany. Oskar Schindler placed his life in great danger by sheltering more than a thousand Jews from Nazi extermination during World War II, and ultimately died penniless. Schindler made the choice not to follow “orders” due to conscience.

Shackleton faced adversity with conscience. Therefore, I, as a Christian, must face adversity with conscience. I must pay heed to scripture, an unambiguous written authority that reinforces and informs conscience. Although a daily victim of directed energy weapons and psychological attacks, my response must always reflect good conscience. I cannot retaliate, nor can I yield to corruptive influences. I cannot respond in a way that violates Christian principle or conscience. As Shackleton proved, following conscience is the choice all imperfect men can make. Imagine how human society would benefit if all men did!

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