A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief - The Language of God

Dr. Francis Collins has written a timely book which shows clearly that there should be no conflict between science and religion. While I am trained in theology, I have very little expertise in science, yet Collins made the "Big-bang" theory and evolutionary theory make sense to me. I struggled to understand DNA/RNA but his writing made me want to understand the double helix. He addresses the issues of "creationism" and the more recent "Intelligent Design" and points out fallacies in both. He has great quotes from Saint Augustine and Benjamin Warfield.

Collins in on target when he says of the Creationist "By attacking the fundalmentals of virtually every branch of science,it widens the chasm between the scientific and spiritual worldviews, just at a time where a pathway toward harmony is desperately. needed." He also points out how Biblical literalists often send the message that science is dangerous and pursuing such may well mean rejecting religious faith. This leaves youth with the decision to either reject science or reject faith, when there is no need to reject either.

As a theologian, I lament over the misuse of scripture by Biblical fundalmentalists. Hopefully writers like Francis Collins, Hans Kung (Beginning of All Things)as well as others, can help turn the tide of the idiocy that has engulfed much of the church in the twenty-first century.

This is a very dispassionate, analytical perception of theistic evolution. I found the book very helpful to explore a means of accepting both God's creation and the gradual development of that creation over a long period of time.

The Language of God was an immensely enjoyable read, particularly for me as a scientist far removed from the DNA world. I have not seen the basics of evolutionary theory presented as clearly and simply as Collins does here. However, the book does not deliver what some might hope it does or even what the header suggests: evidence for belief. But this is for two obvious reasons, which Dawkins would do well to remember. First, Collins is not a philosopher. But he does not try to be--he merely describes the arguments (mostly articulated by C. S. Lewis) that persuaded him to become a Christian. For Collins, the Moral Law is the most convincing. For me as a scientist and a Christian, the Moral Law is less convincing than other evidence related specifically to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Second, Collins is not a Biblical scholar either. Like the philosophical discussion, Collins simply articulates his position regarding the first few chapters of Genesis. The bridge he develops to traverse from a literal interpretation of Genesis to a more figurative one is tenuous at best. Thus, Collins has the potential to aggravate both Christians and non-Christians. But Collins excels at combating a view often promoted in popular culture and espoused by of the reviewers of this book and some of my own students--that science and faith are incompatible. Strangely, it is far more frequent for a professor in the humanities or social science to tell me how science has nudged out faith than it is for a practicing scientist to articulate the same. The greatest contribution that Collins makes is his own statement of faith as a respected scientist. If this book does anything, I hope that it checks those who attempt to use science to discredit faith. So, although I don't agree with all of Collins's arguments, I stand with him as one of the myriad of believing scientists to say that science and faith are compatible. And I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be fascinated by the natural world.

One of the most interesting points Dr. Collins makes in his book is about how science is constantly uncovering new information that any one interested in truth should carefully pay attention to. As the head of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins is a modern pioneer in helping uncover a good deal of such truth. Dr. Collins further explains how this enterprise, far from being a threat to his religious faith, is in fact a complement to it. Predictably---as many reviews that have been posted here amply demonstrate---Dr. Collins is getting hit by critics from both sides. On one side are the fundamentalists and Intelligent Design advocates who seem to be threatened philosophically, and apparently theologically, by the findings of science. On the other, are atheists who don't like Dr. Collins' faith and prefer to think of science as something irreconciable with religion. I would simply urge readers to have open minds and open hearts when reading this book and to put aside their fears and prejudices long enough to let Dr. Collins tell his story and present his evidence and to give it a fair hearing.

The personal transition Francis Collins made in his life was truly amazing. I would recommend this book to those who face doubt about their own religious beliefs. It might not change them, but it will create a new awakening.

Francis Collins reviews his path to Faith and explains DNA theory. After reading it, I still feel very uncertain of the details, but that's because I know little about biology. Collins' explanations of Creationism and Intelligent Design clarified those ideas for me. I recommend the book.

Dr. Collins has written a thoughtful and coherent defense of enlightened scientific reasoning fused with traditional faith in God. The reader can marvel alongside him as he describes the fantastic intricacy of life, regardless of whether you agree with his conclusions about its source. Explaining such complex and emotionally-charged topics with concise, gentle and simple clarity, the author states his case for why science doesn't disprove theology - or vice-versa.

For the most part, the book is serious and inviting. Yet, inserting folk songs to support the heart-led sections of the book doesn't add much and threatens the author's credulity if not his credibility. And, there is quite a leap required to take Dr. Collins' premises for theistic evolution beyond deism to traditional Christian belief.

All in all, a lot of truth is outlined in this book in a firm, yet restrained and respectful tone. Both traditional believers in God and proponents of atheism can learn something here, even as they approach these deep questions from differing worldviews. Extremists on both sides of the debate would do well to emulate Dr. Collins' kind and compassionate method of persuasion.

A brilliant expose of logic from a Christian viewpoint presented by an outstanding man of science. If you are ever assailed by questions of doubt in your Christian faith, I would strongly recommend that you read this book.

This book has much to offer, including observations that should be axiomatic to all people: Truth is truth. True religion doesn't conflict with true science, or true biology, or true anything else. Also: it does not serve God or the faithful to ignore or hide truth.

The challenge comes with the follow up to those statements: What is truth?

The author's answer: For most things, the truth is what science tells us is truth. Only a couple of things cannot be discerned through science--this is where faith comes in.

But what if science eventually proffers answers to those couple of things, does that mean there was never a God at all?

I am a denominational Christian, and I believe that the creation of Adam and Eve as the first humans was a literal, specific act of God--not a result of God-instigated evolution and that they were created in God's image. This belief is contrary to Dr. Collins' scientific conclusions. He asks me to consider--in light of his scientific knowledge--that perhaps the creation of Adam and Eve was a metaphor. I am willing to ponder this possibility in light of the science he presents to see if it can be reconciled with God's revelations.

However, I suspect that Dr. Collins would not be willing to consider that perhaps his science may be incorrect--or incomplete--and that he would not be willing to ponder that possibility in light of God's revelations to see if my belief about Adam and Eve can be reconciled with Dr. Collins' science.

Don't get me wrong, this is a fine book, I am glad I read it, and I am going to consider Collins' conclusions. However, I think Collins makes the same type of scientific arguments that have always been made against faith in God--science prevails because we scientists have figured stuff out that conflicts with religious beliefs.

I do not fear truth--true religion, true science, true biology, or true anything else. I also observe that niether religions nor science have always gotten everything right. I doubt the day will come in mortality when that will change.

Regarding his book, "The Language of God" by Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, and considered one of the world's leading scientists. The main thrust of the book is that you can reconcile a faith in God and still believe in Darwinian evolution.

I really liked this book because it gave me exactly what I was looking for. Collins was once an atheist but after a long journey now believes in theistic evolution or old earth creationism. The book is well written although I felt that both the science bits and the Bible bits are too superficial for such important topics. He also often exaggerated scientific claims and used the words, "overwhelming evidence" way too often without backing up these claims. He quotes C.S. Lewis a lot.

The "Unexpected Impression" is that he has greatly strengthened my view that the Bible is true and biological evolution is hopelessly flawed and entirely false. I often wondered how so many Christians who claim to believe in God and the Bible could also believe in Darwinism. Well, I think this book settles it: unfortunately, they're all just as confused as Collins is.

His main argument is the similarities found in the genome among the species. Why is this surprising? Wouldn't you expect to see similar sections of blueprints of bathrooms among different architectural plans? I think Collins' next best evidence for Darwinism is the rock dating data (pure circular logic in the form of "begging the question" in my view). There is just as much, and better, scientific evidence for creation and the flood.

As far as the Bible goes, I think Collins threw the baby out with the bathwater and places his trust in man's word above that of God's word. He says he trusts in the Bible, but he rationalizes that the parts that interfere with Darwinism are mere poetic allegory. He gives the usual examples that clearly give the word "day" a different meaning than when it is modified by a number and meant to express a calendar, day/night, 24 hour period.

But honestly, you have to ask yourself: why did Genesis bother to define the solar period of a day? Why in the book of Exodus, did God go out of his way to clarify, in a clear-cut manner, the six days of creation week in the Fourth Commandment (to honor the Sabbath Day) given to Moses on Mount Sinai? Why did Jesus Christ himself refer to it several times? The apostles? How could there have been no sin, pain or dying (due to survival of the fittest, etc.) prior to the Fall in the Garden of Eden? How does salvation work without the account of the original sin? The whole purpose of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins would be left meaningless in his scenario. It would simply be impossible to assume long epochs of time while keeping the correct order of the creation days due to the co-dependent, symbiotic relationships found in nature, for example, between flowering plants and insects. Creation is the foundation for the whole Bible and of the whole story of salvation. If one insists on believing in Darwinian evolution as Collins does, the whole Bible and all of scripture is left disjointed and becomes totally unraveled.

When Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, he didn't have to wait for the grapes to grow or ferment or the wine to age, it was ready to drink immediately, and they all said it was the best. Similarly, when God created Adam, he was a fully grown man who probably didn't have a belly button. When God created trees that provided food for Adam and Eve, the fruit was delicious and ready to eat right away. But Collins does not believe this. He thinks that man evolved from a single cell billions of years ago, which does nothing but cause total chaos and mischief to all of Holy Scripture. It's interesting that he hints at believing in some other really big miracles but can't come to grips with a literal Genesis interpretation of special creation.

Of course, Collins just says things like, "Some people would say that...." I think he's come a long way but still has not arrived at the truth like so many other people. There presently is extreme pressure in the "serious halls of science" (sarcasm intended) to strictly adhere to the standard Darwinistic dogma. If he were to admit that he believes in special creation the way God said - that would surely mean intellectual and professional suicide, wouldn't it? At least he admits the fossil record is weak.

I did very much appreciate this book because it gave me a peak inside the mind of a believer who is also a hard-core Darwinist; or to put it in his own words, a Bio-Logo-ist, who believes in a God that created the universe but then for some reason stopped at some point billions of years ago to wait, until his main creation, man, was now in His image (which could have just as easily wound up as a possum or a gopher I suppose) and all ready for Him to breath spirit, soul, and mind into him at the allotted time. (And would'nt the Earth have to be fully populated along with Adam and Eve by then - another huge Bible contradiction by the way) And then God made it a point to lie in his Word and deceive everybody all throughout the Bible while he was at it. No, I do not believe that's the way it happened. After reading this book, I am more certain than ever that it happened the way God said it happened. It's Darwinism vs. Creationism. The battle for the beginning continues!

Regarding his book, "The Language of God" by Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, and considered one of the world's leading scientists. The main thrust of the book is that you can reconcile a faith in God and still believe in Darwinian evolution.

I really liked this book because it gave me exactly what I was looking for. Collins was once an atheist but after a long journey now believes in theistic evolution or old earth creationism. The book is well written although I felt that both the science bits and the Bible bits are too superficial for such important topics. He also often exaggerated scientific claims and used the words, "overwhelming evidence" way too often without backing up these claims. He quotes C.S. Lewis a lot.

The "Unexpected Impression" is that he has greatly strengthened my view that the Bible is true and biological evolution is hopelessly flawed and entirely false. I often wondered how so many Christians who claim to believe in God and the Bible could also believe in Darwinism. Well, I think this book settles it: unfortunately, they're all just as confused as Collins is.

His main argument is the similarities found in the genome among the species. Why is this surprising? Wouldn't you expect to see similar sections of blueprints of bathrooms among different architectural plans? I think Collins' next best evidence for Darwinism is the rock dating data (pure circular logic in the form of "begging the question" in my view). There is just as much, and better, scientific evidence for creation and the flood.

As far as the Bible goes, I think Collins threw the baby out with the bathwater and places his trust in man's word above that of God's word. He says he trusts in the Bible, but he rationalizes that the parts that interfere with Darwinism are mere poetic allegory. He gives the usual examples that clearly give the word "day" a different meaning than when it is modified by a number and meant to express a calendar, day/night, 24 hour period.

But honestly, you have to ask yourself: why did Genesis bother to define the solar period of a day? Why in the book of Exodus, did God go out of his way to clarify, in a clear-cut manner, the six days of creation week in the Fourth Commandment (to honor the Sabbath Day) given to Moses on Mount Sinai? Why did Jesus Christ himself refer to it several times? The apostles? How could there have been no sin, pain or dying (due to survival of the fittest, etc.) prior to the Fall in the Garden of Eden? How does salvation work without the account of the original sin? The whole purpose of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins would be left meaningless in his scenario. It would simply be impossible to assume long epochs of time while keeping the correct order of the creation days due to the co-dependent, symbiotic relationships found in nature, for example, between flowering plants and insects. Creation is the foundation for the whole Bible and of the whole story of salvation. If one insists on believing in Darwinian evolution as Collins does, the whole Bible and all of scripture is left disjointed and becomes totally unraveled.

When Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, he didn't have to wait for the grapes to grow or ferment or the wine to age, it was ready to drink immediately, and they all said it was the best. Similarly, when God created Adam, he was a fully grown man who probably didn't have a belly button. When God created trees that provided food for Adam and Eve, the fruit was delicious and ready to eat right away. But Collins does not believe this. He thinks that man evolved from a single cell billions of years ago, which does nothing but cause total chaos and mischief to all of Holy Scripture. It's interesting that he hints at believing in some other really big miracles but can't come to grips with a literal Genesis interpretation of special creation.

Of course, Collins just says things like, "Some people would say that...." I think he's come a long way but still has not arrived at the truth like so many other people. There presently is extreme pressure in the "serious halls of science" (sarcasm intended) to strictly adhere to the standard Darwinistic dogma. If he were to admit that he believes in special creation the way God said - that would surely mean intellectual and professional suicide, wouldn't it? At least he admits the fossil record is weak.

I did very much appreciate this book because it gave me a peak inside the mind of a believer who is also a hard-core Darwinist; or to put it in his own words, a Bio-Logo-ist, who believes in a God that created the universe but then for some reason stopped at some point billions of years ago to wait, until his main creation, man, was now in His image (which could have just as easily wound up as a possum or a gopher I suppose) and all ready for Him to breath spirit, soul, and mind into him at the allotted time. (And would'nt the Earth have to be fully populated along with Adam and Eve by then - another huge Bible contradiction by the way) And then God made it a point to lie in his Word and deceive everybody all throughout the Bible while he was at it. No, I do not believe that's the way it happened. After reading this book, I am more certain than ever that it happened the way God said it happened. It's Darwinism vs. Creationism. The battle for the beginning continues!

I honestly highly recommend this book. I have been reading books on atheism lately by Dawson and Harris, among others, and I must admit I find the arguments by atheists convincing and strong. It is a relief to read Collins' book.

The author was first an atheist, having been convinced during his scientific education that there is no place for God in this world. However, he soon realized that science cannot replace God. In fact, science re-enforced his belief in God. Collins explains that as a Christian believer, "the experience of sequencing the human genome, and uncovering this most remarkable of all texts, was both a stunning scientific achievement and an occasion of worship."

The author spends quite a long time on evolution, explaining how evolution re-enforces the existence of God. Atheists always use evolution as a major proof that there is no God. Collins believes in evolution, but concludes that there must have been a force to put evolution in motion. In other words, there must have been a creator.

"In my view," Collins goes on to say, "DNA sequence alone, even if accompanied by a vast trove of data on biological function, will never explain certain special human attributes, such as the knowledge of the Moral Law and the universal search for God." Collins insists that "science is not threatened by God; it is enhanced" and "God is most certainly not threatened by science; He made it all possible."

According to the author, pain and suffering, so ever present in the world, does not mean that there is no God. Many atheist authors have argued that if God really existed, He would not have allowed suffering. But the author explains that this is not necessary true. In fact, the author's daughter was raped when she was a teen, but this in no way convinced him that there is no God. Why God permits the suffering of innocents is a puzzle Collins does not pretend to solve, although he speculates, following C.S. Lewis, that we may need to suffer in order to learn. I found his arguments very convincing.

Reason persuaded the author that the universe could not have created itself. C.S. Lewis was influential to the author, and like Collins, Lewis was atheist before embracing God. After reading this book, I am encouraged to read C.S. Lewis' books.

Indeed there is wisdom in the written word. But take care; words are mightier than the sword! Choose your side carefully.

Awesome book; a recommended read to anyone who values truth and the pursuit of it.

It's not quite an accurate subtitle as it is not so much "evidence for belief" as it is reassurance that an intelligent person can accept science's answers for the knowable and God's answers for what science cannot and will never be able to answer (What the meaning of life is, for instance). For we as humans are gifted with reason and a yearning to understand the world around us. Yet we also have a spiritual yearning. It is truly possible to quench both of these thirsts. It is only when ignorance clouds one's thoughts that the truth is in danger of being lost. So learn as much as you can and never fear that it will take away your truth; it will only strengthen it!

The Language of God is genius in Dr. Collins' skill in conveying the complexity of science and the wonder of the divine in easy-to-understand language. No polemics, no rhetoric, just the facts and they logically point to the existence of God. At last, a credible read for both the science-minded and the evangelicals among us.
Suzette Martinez Standring

Dr. Collins' book was a very fine read. His discussion of his personal journey from atheist to theist is interesting. He is convinced that the complexity of the code of life warrants at least the possibility that rationality and the evolutionary schema of life can said to point to God. I believe that "point" is the right word. To suggest that we can prove or disprove God from the evidence of science is an absurd proposition. How can one prove the reality of something that transcends the tools of science and the Creator of the tools of science? Certainly, we can point to indications of God's existence by virtue of the how finely tuned the Universe is, the progression in the complexity of life, and the mystery of consciousness--but we cannot prove it. Dr. Collins is quick to point this out in his book.

His religious confession as a believeing Christian indicates that being a good sceintist does not require one to be an atheist; on the contrary, many a good scientist are theists. So what is up here? It is clear that people bring their biases to there their science as they do to everything else, including theology. It is inescapable, at best we try to be objective. However, total objectivity is impossible because we are subjects by our very constitution. Also, faith does not come from rational knowing but from the knowing born of the encounter with love. This is something that cannot be quantified, eluding the Western style instrumental reason that wants to measure and analyze everyhting while not understanding what it is in itself, typical of materialist reductionism! This is more about control and misses the point of religious faith which is the surrender to the Divine who has earned our trust by virtue of God's own faithfulness. So it is important that we take the experience of religious faith on its grounds to understand it, for at its core in the mystery of encounter, of relationship that transcends mere rational inquiry; yet we are also called to hard-headed reflection engaging with all the sciences. The future of the planet depends of this.

Outstanding book for anyone interested in reconciling their religious beliefs and scientific knowledge and vice versa. Collins has the right credentials to speak credibly on the subject. Particularly being the leader of the Human Genome project gives him the ability to persuasively explain the rational and biological evidences of religion and to provide a very persuasive treatment of evolution free of the defects of most treatments of the subject by religious authors. A quick read that is hard to put down once you start. That makes this author so persuasive is that he was an atheist and agnostic in his early years and the story of such an accomplished biologist and geneticist finding religion is a most interesting story.

Francis Collins provides firm support for his faith in this book. As the director of NIH, which funds most scientific research, I was surprised to see him writing at length on this topic. As someone also influenced by C.S. Lewis, my opinion of this book may be biased in favor of his perspective.
This is a great resource for those that feel science conflicts with their faith. It is well written and persuasive. This book tackles most of the difficult questions about faith, creationism, intelligent design, objections from atheists, etc. and directs readers to sources that cover these topics more thoroughly.
Kennith Miller also addressed this topic very well in "Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search For Common Ground Between God and Evolution".

As a retired Biology teacher, I found this book to be very interesting and thought provoking. It gives the reader a great deal of insight and an opportunity to reflect and compare with his own beliefs.

Many reviewers note that Collins' book doesn't really provide evidence for belief and complain that the subtitle is misleading. It is-- no doubt thanks to the publisher. Many also note that Collins says as much in the text. "BioLogos [theistic evolution] is not intended as a scientific theory. Its truth can be tested only by the spiritual logic of the heart, the mind, and the soul" (p. 204). Faith and science are compatible, but if you are looking for an authoritative scientific demonstration of faith, you won't find it here or anywhere else.
So why did he write the book if it contains no dazzling new scientific breakthrough? Because today the vanguard atheists are evolutionists like Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, who proclaim that an acceptance of evolution in biology requires an acceptance of atheism in theology (p. 161). Collins is not attempting to convict atheists of "ignoring the evidence." He is pointing out that Dawkins and Dennett have no business claiming that all theists (not just Creationists and Intelligent Design theorists) are ignoring the evidence. Indeed, Collins suggests that it may very well have been the subordination of science to progressive politics by those two luminaries that led to the creation of Intelligent Design in the first place! "ID could be thought of ironically as the rebellious love child of Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett" (p. 184). If believers who do not understand evolution very well are told by evolutionary authorities that biology makes faith untenable, is it any wonder that they will see Darwin as the anti-Christ?
So do not criticize Collins because he is not offering breakthroughs. He is only trying to return to the status quo ante, where individuals had to decide for themselves what to make of life. Dawkins and Dennett want to change the situation in which we respect people's religious choices. Since they think religion is so harmful, they want to stamp it out, even if they have to claim more authority for science than it has. Despite the subtitle of Collin's book, it is Dawkins and Dennett who are arrogant (calling their side "bright"), while Collins- as most reviewers of all stripes recognize-- is modest and unassuming.
One other point: a number of reviewers seemed to think that Collins' God is a "God of the gaps" despite his explicit denial of that view (which invokes God to explain what science can't yet explain). Science will never explain a God that transcends nature. Neither will religion, of course. But religion wants to relate to God, not explain Him. If, like Collins, one comes to God though heart, mind, and soul, one has no need for gaps in the fossil record!
Albert Schweitzer was a physican, theologian, and musician. Collins gets my vote for an Albert Schweitzer award.

This author of this book is obviously a thinker. He has presented scientific and philosophic ideas that investigate some of the deep questions of our time, including - is there a God. Some of his writing was so scientific, it was a little above my mind to be able to grasp (ie, there is an assumption that the reader knows scientific language). I might not subscribe to all of his conclusions, but I do appreciate his honest attempt to present the facts as he has studied them, and he is qualified to do so.

Readers digest level discussion of one mans journey through his own spiritual path. There is little depth to any of it. Each line of thinking or discussion is abbreviated to the level of third grade logic resolutions. If you are looking for some broad overview of the relationships between science and religion, perhaps you will find the book worthy. But the book does not do either science or theology much of any service. I had high expectations based on the reviews and recommendations of others. As a sojourner who wanders the Christian path, the theology was introductory level if even that. As a scientist, a believer in the methods, a believer in the theories while also knowing they will change and evolve with new science, I find the 'science' discussion in this book weak. There are so many much better books about theology and science out there to stimulate the exploration of these topics. At least this one is a very quick read. And it may be good for those just starting into these topics.

I'm biased. As someone with a scientific education, who desires to believe in God, and by Christian extension, His son Jesus Christ, I found this book highly significant, and corroborative in my faith. Dr. Collins, I believe, has conveyed his impressive life experiences as a student, scientist, medical doctor, and as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, to give scientific yet personal reasons to confirm one's faith.

I tried to read "Decoding the Language of God", simultaneously, to gain an opposing atheists view, and see if it could point out discrepancies. That failed, as I realized, If you do not want to believe, you will rationalize a reason. And yes, this can probably be said from both sides.
Dr. Collins does not however demand belief, rather puts forth logic backed by science, which can strengthen one's faith, as opposed to Dr. Cunningham, who arguments I did not find convincing, yet demands disbelief. From my bias, I find the Atheists demands for disbelief, very similar to the Fundamentalist's demands for belief. But as I said, I'm biased.

Obviously, you'll have to make up your own mind, but if Dr. Collins work and philosophy interest you, I'd also recommend investigating Bio-Logos, and "Test of Faith" which has Interviews relating to his book.
Also look up Br. Guy Consolmagno, and the vofoundation.org.
Cheers

This is for the theist who has been challenged by scientistic thought that disclaims any possibiliity that there is a Higher Power who could possibly have any interest in such unprepossessing creatures as we are, but yet wishes one could have the comfort of believing in a caring universe and sincerely wishes there was a loving, creative God. This book eases your doubts and lets one believe comfortably and in peace with the approval of science.