The Hint of Design

Describe the image.

What do you think is going on?

The Isfahan Rug

This Persian rug reflects a walled garden with four rivers. The Persian word for garden means paradise, or a place of delight and joy. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_gardens) A walled garden offers protection from dangers so that one may relax with friends and family. Hence, the garden provides a bit of tranquility on Earth, and an escape from the pressures of life. The design of four rivers and a walled garden comes from the description of Eden in the Bible, Genesis 2, which is repeated in the Qur’an. The garden design on this rug is implemented in gardens across Iran.

What place seems like paradise to you—what evokes from you that sense of “just-right” perfection?

What about the evidence of design?

According to the UNESCO World Heritage List, “The perfect design of the Persian Garden, along with its ability to respond to extreme climatic conditions, is the original result of an inspired and intelligent application of different fields of knowledge, i.e. technology, water management and engineering, architecture, botany, and agriculture.” (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1372/).

Some say just as a well-designed garden suggests a designer, the earth with the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the narrow scope in which life is supported on earth also suggests a designer.

Do you agree or disagree with this conclusion?

When you think of something that is well designed, what comes to mind and why is the design so exceptional?

If God designed the universe, would that change your perspective on life? Explain.