Article November 19, 2018 Issue

Divine Principle and the best in human nature

Douglas Paul

In looking back at the events of this past year, there’s no doubt that one of the most inspiring and heartening was the rescue of 12 boys and their coach from deep inside a cave in northern Thailand. The plight of those boys captured worldwide attention several months ago, and the rescue provided ample reason to marvel at the extraordinary humanitarian effort. Courage, precision, and stamina are a few of the identifiable elements that contributed to the rescue. Wisdom, unselfishness, and heroism are a few more. Truly, the best in human nature! All those involved in the rescue mission are deserving of all the heartfelt gratitude and praise they receive.

Concurrent with the rescue mission, and even during the nine days preceding the discovery of the boys’ location in the cave, many people were actively praying. The hopes and faith of many of those individuals were placed in the unseen (to the physical senses) presence and power of God, who since biblical times has been described as a refuge, strength, and fortress; as a rock, strong tower, and deliverer. Yet some might find it unrealistic to credit God with having played any part in the rescue, so vivid was the evidence of human engagement.

What role might an unseen supreme power have played? The answer will depend on how one defines God. If God is thought to be a distant, detached ruler in heaven who occasionally intervenes dramatically in earthly events, depending on the petitioner and the petition, then the basis for assuming divine participation could seem highly questionable.

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