Special / Column
Through the ways and events of the visible world, you come to deeply think about the invisible world and the will of God.
Rescue Instinct
A truck caught on fire in a tunnel. The driver made a quick move to put out the fire with the fire extinguisher that he had in his truck, but it wasn’t strong enough. Right then, three people in suits came out of a car that was passing by, evacuated the driver, pulled a fire hose that was installed in the tunnel, and started putting out the fire. The fire was put out completely in thirty minutes by the efforts they made, confronting the red flames and fog that filled the tunnel and by the help from the fire truck that got called and came. These people, who prevented the accident from getting worse by taking a quick action, were…
Everyone’s Hope
When a human foot finally touched the gray, shadowed surface of the Moon, people watching on television erupted in cheers. It was July 20, 1969—the historic day when Apollo 11 became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Earth’s atmosphere. NASA’s ambitious Apollo Program, designed to send humans to the Moon and bring them back safely, had succeeded spectacularly. The achievement required more than 25 billion dollars and the combined knowledge and skill of some 400,000 scientists and engineers. The astronauts’ space suits also drew great attention. Designed not only to ensure the astronauts’ survival and safety but also to allow them to move comfortably on the Moon, the suits embodied the very peak of twentieth-century science…
According to the Deeds of Faith
If, at the end of life, you are to face a harsh evaluation of how you have lived, will you be willing to change the principles and attitudes you have held onto until now? Alfred Nobel, a chemist, gained worldwide recognition for inventing dynamite. His invention brought revolutionary progress to mining, waterway, tunnel, railroad, and road construction. Yet the praise did not last. Once dynamite was used as a weapon of war, public opinion turned cold. As mass killing was carried out with his invention, fierce criticism poured down upon Nobel, who had grown immensely wealthy. One day, he read a newspaper article announcing his own death. It was actually his brother Ludvig who had died, but the paper mistakenly…
Because He Went Before Us
On May 6, 1954, at the athletic track of Oxford University in England, a 25-year-old man named Roger Bannister sprinted across the one-mile (Approx. 1,609 meters) finish line. His time: 3 minutes 59.4 seconds—a record no one had ever achieved before. His groundbreaking feat sent shockwaves through the world of athletics. At the time, sports physiologists even warned that attempting to run a mile in under four minutes could cause the lungs, heart, muscles, or ligaments to rupture, possibly resulting in death. Because of this fear, very few attempted to challenge the so-called four-minute barrier. From the moment Bannister resolved to break through that mental and societal wall, he had to fight the daily fear that he might die trying.…
With the Ability We Have Received
There is a saying: “The bird that flies high sees far.” Indeed, birds can see astonishing distances—some can even spot insects on the ground from several kilometers above. Hawks, famous for their exceptional vision, have five times more photoreceptor cells concentrated in the macula (the area of the eye where images form) than humans do. This allows them to perceive fast-moving objects almost as if they were passing slowly, frame by frame, enabling them to catch tiny insects mid-flight with their beaks. Hawks also have two maculae, enabling rapid focus adjustments much like a camera lens. When they search for prey from high above, their vision functions like a telephoto lens; when they lock onto prey and begin their descent,…
The Fragrance of Life to the Whole World
Once they take root, plants remain in the same place for life. To spread their seeds, they use various methods—some are carried by the wind, others through animals’ droppings. But the Crinum asiaticum (commonly called the spider lily), a perennial plant of the amaryllis family, uses a far bolder method. In Korea, the only natural habitat of the spider lily is Tokki Island, near Seongsan Ilchulbong on Jeju Island. How could this plant, believed to have originated from the southern seas, have taken root on such a small island, filling the air with its delicate fragrance? Spider lilies typically grow along coastlines and bloom from July to September. Each flower stalk bears around twenty long, slender white blossoms. After the…
In the Age of Post-Truth, People Believe Falsehood
“Did you know spaghetti grows on trees?” This fake news was reported by BBC on April Fools’ Day 1957. At first, people made fake news for fun, but recently it has been shaking society at large. Fake news in article format are deceiving many people with false information online. In summer, 2016, when the U.S. presidential election was approaching, there were lots of fake news articles that were favorable to a certain candidate and malicious against the opponent candidate. Thinking it was suspicious, the press traced those articles and found out that the source of most of these fake articles was a small village called Veles in Macedonia, a country in Southeastern Europe; some teenagers were producing fake news referring…
Destiny
“The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future, or the hidden power that is believed to control what will happen in the future.” This is the definition of destiny. Simply put, it refers to something beyond human power. A beggar had a pessimistic view of life. He thought his destiny was different from that of the rich or great people. He asked a wise man, “Why is my destiny different from theirs?” The wise man answered, “Your destiny is not different from theirs. They were born with the same destiny as yours.” At his words, the beggar felt a little hopeful. He lived, waiting for his life to change. Then he died. After…
Two Citizenships of Paul
Citizenship is the right of belonging to a certain country. You can exercise basic rights like the right to your own things and political rights such as voting for candidates in public office, for example, a president and members of congress, and being appointed as a government employee. If you have citizenship of a country, you can enjoy all the mentioned rights. The Roman Empire governed Israel 2,000 years ago when the apostles preached the gospel. A person with Roman citizenship held high social status and received various privileges from Rome like suffrage, the right to prosecute in court, and the right to appeal to the highest court of Rome held by the emperor. They could avoid certain punishments like…
Matador
The bull is excited at the deft hands of a bullfighter who wields a red cape. Several spears have been stuck on the back of the rushing bull. Finally, when a sharp blade pierces the bull’s skull, it falls on the spot. The bullfighter who stabs the skull of a bull lastly is called the matador in Spanish. Nowadays, matador refers to black propaganda that distorts facts and manipulates public opinion to slander the other person. Matador spreads from mouth to mouth unlawfully, and strikes a fatal blow to the other person just as the sharp sword of the bullfighter who enticed the bull pierces its skull. A man struck by matador, which was originally meant to harm others, is…
Endurance: The Power to Persevere
Despite having significantly inferior physical abilities compared with other animals, humans possess an overwhelmingly superior capability—endurance. In the hunting era, when humans lacked strength, speed, and natural weapons such as sharp horns, teeth, or claws, endurance was their only means of survival. Unlike cheetahs, ostriches, horses, or antelopes, which rely on bursts of speed, early humans depended on persistence hunting, relentlessly pursuing prey for hours until it collapsed from exhaustion. This extraordinary endurance allowed them to overcome their physical disadvantages and thrive. According to researchers, the human body is uniquely designed for long-distance running. Features such as a cooling system that expels heat through sweat glands, strong neck ligaments that provide stable vision over long distances, long and resilient Achilles…
The Power of Complementary Strengths: Eisenhower and Patton
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during World War II and later the 34th President of the United States, emerged as one of the most influential figures of the conflict. Not only did he cultivate strong relationships with over 50 allied nations, but he also demonstrated remarkable diplomatic skills, mediating intense conflicts and managing complex international interests with precision. His leadership paved the way for the monumental D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, when approximately 160,000 Allied troops—primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom, alongside forces from Canada, France, Australia, Poland, and Norway—launched a decisive assault on the Normandy coast. Successfully breaching Germany’s main defensive line, this operation marked a pivotal turning point, shifting the…
On the Meaning of Life
This anecdote was introduced by Will Durant, an American historian and philosopher, in his book On the Meaning of Life. One day, a gentleman visited Durant and confessed that he saw no reason to continue living. However, Durant himself could not provide a specific answer. Motivated by this conversation, Durant sent letters to 100 renowned individuals across various fields, asking fundamental questions about life’s purpose: Where do you find inspiration and energy? What motivates you to keep striving? Where do you find comfort and happiness? What do you hold most valuable? The recipients were diverse—writers, entertainers, artists, scholars, businesspeople, scientists, religious figures, and even individuals serving life sentences. Each responded with their own perspectives: “The only thing I truly desire…
Perceiving the Kingdom of Heaven
Humans perceive the world through their five senses. Stimuli received through sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are converted into electrical signals and transmitted to the brain. The brain then synthesizes and interprets this information, forming recognition. As this process of sensation and perception repeats countless times, the accumulated data becomes the foundation for interpreting future sensory experiences. Thus, all recognition begins with sensation. However, human senses are inherently limited. Vision can detect only light waves within the 400–700 nanometer range, making X-rays, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, and radio waves invisible to the naked eye. Likewise, hearing is restricted to frequencies between 20 and 20,000 hertz, rendering extremely high or low sounds inaudible. To overcome these limitations, scientists have sought…
Energy Robber or Energy Giver
“You’ll quit anyway.” “We won’t work out.” “Will that really help?” Even after setting clear goals and plans, hearing such discouraging words can drain energy and weaken resolve. People who habitually express negativity deplete the motivation of those around them, leaving them feeling powerless. Just as thieves quietly steal belongings, individuals who rob energy with demoralizing words and dull the atmosphere can be called “energy robbers.” It is best to distance ourselves from those who constantly say “no,” spread harmful rumors, or engage in relentless complaining. However, when avoidance is not possible, we must learn to protect ourselves. One way to do this is by cultivating independent thinking—developing resilience against negativity so that our emotions are not easily swayed by…
Invisible Love
The airplane slowly taxis onto the runway, and its jet engines humming before igniting with immense force. As it accelerates to 200 km/h (124 mph), the pressure difference above and below the wings reaches its peak, generating lift force1. The moment the lift force surpasses gravity, the massive 400-ton aircraft ascends effortlessly into the sky. With a smooth climb, the plane soars upward, leaving the ground behind as the vast expanse of the sky unfolds in breathtaking view. Soon, it reaches cruising altitude, gliding steadily through the heavens. 1. An upward force that counteracts gravity. It is generated by the movement of air from high to low pressure, enabling an airplane’s wings to lift the aircraft into the sky. The…
The Power of an Unbreakable Spirit
Henri Matisse, a master of color and one of the most influential figures in 20th-century graphic art, was not always destined to be a painter. Initially, he studied law and worked as a court clerk, leading an ordinary life with only a casual interest in art. However, his path took a dramatic turn when he suffered from appendicitis—an illness that was severe at the time. During his prolonged recovery, his mother gifted him a set of paints, which unknowingly changed the course of his life forever. Enchanted by the world of art, Matisse defied his father’s objections and started anew as a painter. He later revolutionized modern art by founding Fauvism, a movement characterized by bold, unrestrained colors and expressive…
A Steadfast Person
Ten days at sea, with relentless waves pounding the hull. Upon disembarking at the port, an arduous 80-ri (19.5-mile) journey over rugged stone paths finally led to a small thatched-roof cottage in Daejeong, Jeju Island, Korea. This was where Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, caught in unforeseen political strife, would spend his exile. During the late Joseon Dynasty of Korea, Kim Jeong-hui was a descendant of a prestigious family and one of the era’s most revered scholars and artists. He held key government positions, including Seongkyunkwan Daesaseong (Headmaster of Seonggyungwan, the highest educational institution similar to a national university) and Ijo Champan (Vice Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel), and as a diplomatic envoy to China, he actively exchanged knowledge…
Trust Score
During the intense struggle for maritime dominance from the 15th to 17th centuries, the Netherlands, despite being a latecomer, emerged as a leader in global shipping, controlling nearly 80 percent of Europe’s merchant fleet. One of the key factors in surpassing Spain and Portugal was the strong trust placed in Dutch merchant vessels—trust that was deeply rooted in the legacy of Captain Willem Barentsz. In 1596, Captain Barentsz embarked on his third voyage to discover the shortest sea route to Asia via the Arctic Ocean. Determined to surpass rival nations’ well-established routes, his expedition set sail with high hopes. However, their journey took a tragic turn when the ship became trapped in ice. Stranded in the frozen wilderness, the crew…
Immortal Telomeres
In the 14th century, the average life expectancy in Europe was a mere 38 years. With the advent of soap in 1790, disease incidence significantly decreased, leading to a ten-year increase in life expectancy. By 1928, with the discovery of the antibiotic penicillin, life expectancy rose to 58 years, making another ten year leap. In the 21st century, the average lifespan has reached 80 years. Experts anticipate a further increase to 100 years in the near future—a twenty-year gain. The term “Homo-Hundred” is already understood and acknowledged by the public. Scientists have identified telomeres as a crucial factor in aging and human lifespan. Telomeres, derived from the Greek words telos (end) and meros (part), are protective caps at the end…