“In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and power and passion, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will. . . . God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and individuals. “This is your wisdom and your understanding,” Moses declared to the Israelites of the law of God. “It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.” Deut. 4:6; 32:47. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and every individual under the broad heavens. To understand these things,--to understand that “righteousness exalteth a nation;” that “the throne is established by righteousness” and “upholden by mercy;” to recognize the outworking of these principles in the manifestation of His power who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings,--this is to understand the philosophy of history.” EGW, Education, 173-175.
- If events of history are not shaped by the power and ambition of mankind, what are they shaped by?
- Is history shaped directly by God? How does this happen, by miraculous intervention, by angelic action, or some other way?
- How does this theological understanding of history affect the cause and effect relationships we usually rely on in historical analysis?