In a world increasingly shaped by secularism and scientific empiricism, a paradox emerges: the enduring belief that history has direction, meaning and purpose—a secularized form of providentialism.

Capping off a week of Philadelphia celebrations for the Eagles, it’s no surprise that The Half-God of Rainfall, an epic poem about a superhuman basketball star, began with a “Go Birds.” On Friday ...

There are also intellectual difficulties that one must navigate to make even an educated guess at the divine plan, including ...