Purposeful Design - A Review

The awesomeness of creation is a wonder we will never fully understand.  I truly can’t comprehend how someone cannot give credence to the wonder of God’s amazing design. When I stop to think about all of the amazing aspects of the creation of the universe, I am so humbled.  It is so obvious to me that it all comes from God’s Purposeful Design. Purposeful Design: Understanding the Creation ($18.95), by Jay Schabacker, is a beautiful book that describes and explains the science behind the wonders of creation. Directing the reader’s attention to the Creator and His amazing creation, Schabacker’s book appeals to all ages, although the reading level and scientific concepts addressed are probably best suited for upper elementary  and middle school aged children.
       Purposeful Design is full of beautiful, full-color pictures that reinforce the concepts of biblical creation as well as the science that supports the concepts.  This lovely book contains seven chapters, one for each day of creation.  These chapters are:

• Chapter 1: The First Day, Creation of the Heavens and the Earth tells the reader what the Bible says, then discusses the solar system, the application of the second law of thermodynamics to the movement of the planets, and explains that the universe is orderly, that the rules of nature do not change.
• Chapter 2: The Second Day, Creation of the Atmosphere and Water explains the rain cycle and discusses how the fact that 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water creates an atmosphere perfect for life.
• Chapter 3: The Third Day, Creation of the Dry Land and Vegetation tells about the various uses of vegetation.
• Chapter 4: The Fourth Day, Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Stars explains the seasons and how they are created, the orderly daily changes in sunrise and sunset times, the phases of the moon, tilt of the earth, and ocean tides.
• Chapter 5: The Fifth Day, Creation of the Birds and Fish and The Sixth Day, Creation of Land Creatures and Humans discusses the amazing design of these living creatures, how each is perfectly made for its own environment, and how they live in symbiotic relationships with each other. Many pages are devoted to the amazing design of the human body.
• Chapter 7: The Seventh Day reminds the reader for the need for rest and for giving honor to our creator.

My kids are all in high school or college, but they have still enjoyed reading this.  My high school kids read through the book with me a chapter at a time correlating to their current Bible study.  Since they have both studied physical science and biology, the scientific concepts were not unfamiliar to them.  This book has earned a prized location as a coffee table book in our home.  It is absolutely lovely and will be read and perused over and over again.
To make this beautiful book even better, there is a “Young Explorer’s Club” free  PDF curriculum available from Purposeful Design with questions reviewing the scientific concepts for each chapter, scripture verses for reflection, and faith application questions for each chapter. My kids are a tiny bit beyond the age range for the additional curriculum, but it would be fabulous to use for older elementary or middle school students.  I did look through the questions available and used some of them to guide discussion as we went through the book.
All in all, Purposeful Design would be a tremendous addition to any homeschool library.  Children of all ages, as well as adults, enjoy the beautiful pictures and interesting facts and concepts presented.  If you would like to check out Jay Schabacker on social media, visit
Blog: www.Jayschabacker.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaySchabackerAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Jayschabacker (@Jayschabacker)
LinkedIn: Jayschab
Many of my other friends on the Schoolhouse Review Crew have also been reading this book.  To read their reviews, click on the banner below.