The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

Francis S. Collins

Jul 2006 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

An instant bestseller from Templeton Prize–winning author Francis S. Collins, The Language of God provides the best argument for the integration of faith and logic since C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity.

It has long been believed that science and faith cannot mingle. Faith rejects the rational, while science restricts us to a life with no meaning beyond the physical. It is an irreconcilable war between two polar-opposite ways of thinking and living. Written for believers, agnostics, and atheists alike, The Language of God provides a testament to the power of faith in the midst of suffering without faltering from its logical stride. Readers will be inspired by Collin’s personal story of struggling with doubt, as well as the many revelations of the wonder of God’s creation that will forever shape the way they view the world around them.

Ratings and reviews

Not a bad read from a brilliant man. I was however bummed I didn't find more scientific information on the Human Genome and how that more related to the overwhelming complexity of life. He touched on a few things but not what I was expecting. He did however take plenty of time to explain why he believed in Theistic Evolution or as he called it Biologos. Though I do not fully agree with the good scientist here I appreciated the depth he went into on his particular views. Worth the read no matter where you stand on the debate for the existence of God

Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is exploring in The Language of God how he personally came to understand both science and faith as two compatible domains. It is written in a very accessible language and it bodes for a quick read. On the flip side, if it were not for its mass appeal, Collins might have been a little more detailed and exhaustive about his arguments in order to satisfy the more well versed readers about how both science and faith can coexist. It is nevertheless a worthwhile read. Read the rest at:

I quickly browsed through the sample and found mostly anecdotal, autobiographical speech. The first chapter speaks of a "moral law" capitalized as if someone authored it. It's really easy to see where he'll be going with that one. Sad to say I was hoping for a challenge. He only managed to refute relativism, which any atheist with a basic understanding of ethics and philosophy (like me) will have already dismissed.

About the author

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.