As the year 1890 began, Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin), a dedicated Bible professor, found himself facing a significant moral quandary. When he reprimanded a young boy named Roger for stealing marbles from his neighbor, Carlisle’s sense of justice was ignited. He determined that Roger must not only return the stolen items but also sincerely apologize. Yet, when Roger hurriedly escaped, Carlisle couldn’t shake the notion that this encounter illustrated a larger societal issue: the urgent need to reconnect with the teachings of Christ in an increasingly secular world. His manuscript, which was on the verge of receiving unanimous approval from the board at Grace Bible Seminary, promised to revolutionize moral instruction, yet detached from the teachings of Jesus.
However, Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod), a colleague known for his controversial opinions, challenged this direction. He cautioned that teaching morality without incorporating Jesus would have dire consequences for future generations. The Dean, caught between their conflicting viewpoints, decided to postpone any decision until a resolution could be reached.
To mend fences, Anderson invited Carlisle to his home, where he claimed he had a revelation that would ultimately clarify their differences. Nevertheless, Carlisle stood firm, urging the Dean to move forward with the approval process, a notion the Dean rejected as he clung to the idea of unanimous agreement.
As tensions flared, Carlisle consented to meet with Anderson that night, unbeknownst to him of Anderson’s astonishing secret — a time machine engineered by Carlisle's late father. Initially skeptical and amused, Carlisle's laughter faded as he recognized the gravity of what lay before him.
The stakes were now set; Carlisle's journey would catapult him four days into the future, through Wednesday night, with strict instructions to keep his identity concealed and refrain from learning his own destiny. However, he was tasked with finding Michelle Bain, a Christian librarian pivotal in Anderson’s time travel narrative.
Stepping into the late 20th century, Carlisle was overwhelmed by the drastic differences in societal values. He was confronted by issues like the surge in divorce rates, the glorification of underage drinking, and pervasive disrespect exhibited by children toward authority. The light-heartedness with which society regarded theft, once considered a severe transgression, left him utterly disillusioned. He was astounded by the immodest choices flaunted in stores, an avalanche of profanity in media, and a glaring absence of biblical teachings in educational settings.
In this disheartening environment, Carlisle found a much-needed ally in Bain (Jennifer O'Neill), who shared insights about the historical events that led society astray from its Christian roots. This sparked a deep regret within Carlisle, prompting him to seek divine forgiveness. As he contemplated humanity’s moral decline, two detectives from the local church grew increasingly wary of his peculiar behavior and identity.
Determined to uncover the truth, they arranged for Carlisle to deliver a sermon at a nearby church. With passionate urgency, he condemned the moral decline of the generation, cautioning them that their eternal destinies hung in the balance unless they sincerely committed to Christ. Meanwhile, the authorities continued their pursuit of Carlisle, and as he prepared to return to his own time, they confronted him in a dark alley. In a moment of defiance, he proclaimed himself a messenger of God, foretelling Christ's return as the skies turned ominous before he vanished without a trace.
In the aftermath of this transformative experience, Carlisle revisited his earlier manuscript, infusing it with insights derived from his journey. He also sought Roger, imparting crucial wisdom about the profound wrongness of theft, which he directly attributed to the teachings of Jesus. Concurrently, Anderson endeavored to send a biblical text into the future, but his efforts were ultimately thwarted when the machine refused to operate within the timeline of 2100.
As this poignant narrative draws to a close, Anderson remains relentless in his quest for understanding, perpetually attempting to send the Bible to earlier periods despite repeated failures.
