Maybe I misunderstand, but I would summarize Wretchard’s article above as comprising two questions:

1) How should we think about the purpose of the universe?

2) On a much smaller scale, how should we think about the purpose of the current crisis in Georgia?

For both questions, I think that several considerations are worthwhile.

A) Try to stay objective. Study the facts that are available and try to determine more facts. Do not dismiss facts that might be relevant.

B) Avoid turning the issue into a dramatic morality play, with heroes and villians, with some people who have been chosen for divine favor and some people who are to be cast away into outer darkness, with surprising explanations and bold actions leading suddenly to endings that are defeats for the villians and victories for the heroes.

C) Avoid the presumption that the developments we perceive must have a specific beginning and a specific end. Maybe the developments began much earlier than we thought, and maybe the developments will continue much longer than we think.

D) Consider that purposes are driven by other factors and actors outside our own perception and focus. For example in the second question, perhaps the Ossetians themselves are such a factor, acting on their own initiative and often outside the control of either the Georgians or the Russians. Or perhaps Russia perceives that NATO is the main actor driving events and reactions, whereas we perceive that NATO is doing absolutely nothing at all.

E) The purpose probably will not be revealed divinely to one person who then will deign to explain it to the rest of us mere mortals, who then should suppress our own doubts and should believe fervently forever. Rather, such questions should always remain open for free discussion and debate by everyone.