Francis S. Collins is one of the country's leading geneticists and the longtime head of the Human Genome Project. Prior to coming to Washington, he helped to discover the genetic misspellings that cause cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, and Huntington's disease. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and in his spare time he enjoys riding a motorcycle and playing guitar.
"The Language of God is a powerful confession of belief from one of
the world's leading scientists. Refuting the tired stereotypes of
hostility between science and religion, Francis Collins challenges
his readers to find a unity of knowledge that encompasses both
faith and reason." -- Kenneth Miller, Brown University, author of
Finding Darwin's God
"Collins's argument that science and faith are compatible deserves
a wide hearing. It lets non-churchgoers consider spiritual
questions without feeling awkward." -- The New York Times Book
Review
"What an elegantly written book. In it Francis Collins, the eminent
scientist, tells why he is also a devout believer....A real godsend
for those with questioning minds but who are also attracted to
things spiritual." -- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"The Language of God is a powerful confession of belief from one of the world's leading scientists. Refuting the tired stereotypes of hostility between science and religion, Francis Collins challenges his readers to find a unity of knowledge that encompasses both faith and reason."
-- Kenneth Miller, Brown University, author of Finding
Darwin's God
"Collins's argument that science and faith are compatible deserves
a wide hearing. It lets non-churchgoers consider spiritual
questions without feeling awkward."
-- The New York Times Book Review
"What an elegantly written book. In it Francis Collins, the eminent
scientist, tells why he is also a devout believer....A real godsend
for those with questioning minds but who are also attracted to
things spiritual."
-- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Collins, a pioneering medical geneticist who once headed the Human Genome Project, adapts his title from President Clinton's remarks announcing completion of the first phase of the project in 2000: "Today we are learning the language in which God created life." 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." This marvelous book combines a personal account of Collins's faith and experiences as a genetics researcher with discussions of more general topics of science and spirituality, especially centering around evolution. Following the lead of C.S. Lewis, whose Mere Christianity was influential in Collins's conversion from atheism, the book argues that belief in a transcendent, personal God-and even the possibility of an occasional miracle-can and should coexist with a scientific picture of the world that includes evolution. Addressing in turn fellow scientists and fellow believers, 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." Collins's credibility as a scientist and his sincerity as a believer make for an engaging combination, especially for those who, like him, resist being forced to choose between science and God. (July 17) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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