The Language of God

A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

By: Francis S. Collins

Narrated by: Francis S. Collins

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is one of the world's leading scientists, yet he is also a man of unshakable faith in God and scripture. Dr. Collins has resolved the dilemma that haunts everyone who believes in God and respects science. Faith in God and faith in science can be harmonious, not separately but together, combined into one worldview. For Collins, science does not conflict with the Bible, science enhances it.

The Language of God makes the case for God and for science. Dr. Collins considers and dismisses several positions along the spectrum from atheism to young-earth creationism, including agnosticism and Intelligent Design. Instead, he proposes a new synthesis, a new way to think about an active, caring God who created humankind through evolutionary processes.

He explains his own journey from atheism to faith, and then takes listeners on a stunning tour of modern science to show that physics, chemistry, and biology can all fit together with belief in God and the Bible. The Language of God is essential for anyone who wonders about the deepest questions of all: Why are we here? How did we get here? And what does life mean?

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2006 Francis S. Collins. All rights reserved. (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Collins' 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." (Publishers Weekly)

Science and theology reunited

A refreshing perspective from an informed, thoughtful believer. Dr. Collins cuts through the prevailing dogmas, elevating both science and theology.

Theistic evolution

Basically makes a case for Theistic evolution. I know there's only so much space in a book but I'd like to here more counter arguments for opposing positions. Author dismisses creation arguments outright without addressing any of their arguments. Then glosses over most of ID theorist arguments. His case for evolution is also underwhelming.

Compelling evidence from a brilliant scientist

Francis Collins is brilliant, and has rocked my world. Don't put off reading this book. Best of all it is written so the nonscientist can understand, yet the scientist has plenty of technical terms and isn't bored.

Drink the evolution kool-aide

I have no doubt that the author is both sincere in his beliefs and very likable but this is a likable christians sales pitch for evolution. He dismisses "perceived gaps" in the fossel record with no elaboration. Says that the most complex biological structures can be explained through Darwinian evolution and dismesses parts of the bible that undermine his beliefs as alagory. He is surely an expert on the humnan Gnome and a scientist but as for those things spirtial he seems to be gasping for things that will combine his two competing ideaologies.
The authors explaination of God creating a world and leting random mutations and evolution create the outcome seems to me to be a build it and forget it kit for God.
The first 1/2 discussion of the human Gnome was interesting but the evolution rehash left me flat.
Not a bad listen but not what I had hoped for.

Wow!

First of all, I am a Christian -- the quintessential church lady. Second of all, I am a scientist -- I have a master's degree in molecular biology. I'll never forget the first time I precipitated DNA as a grad student. I had the overwhelming feeling that I was looking at the face of God in that little tube. Francis Collins has merged the two facets of scientist and believer in a way that I had no words for at the time. This is a must for the believer who has no qualms at witnessing to his or her faith when facing the scientific world.

I found much to agree with

in Dr Collins views. His perplexity on the general public disconnect with the reality of scientific evidence mirrors my own. What he says about the ages-long animosity between science and religion is spot on, and rightly much to the discredit of religion. His repudiation of young Earth creationists and ID'ers almost perfectly aligns with my views although I never considered the interesting argument that these folks may be their own worst enemy and eventually will do more harm to the very faith they seek to protect than good.

I liked much of what I read, but I didn't find his arguments for belief in God compelling. Moral law, desires must have a means to fulfill them, an inner yearning to commune with God - none of these strike me as reliable evidence. A thought provoking listen though.....

Now I Understand

As a Christian and a non-scientist, I have always struggled with the apparent conflict between the Bible and science. While I wanted so much to believe the Christian faith, I just could never accept that God would "trick" us by putting dinasours on earth and by putting in place such strong evidence for evolution.

This book answers all the questions, and allows me to keep my precious belief in God and also to embrace science. I wish this book had been available years ago. I can't thank the author enough for writing this--it has brought me such peace.

Unconvincing

Enjoyed the stories that Collins could offer and the insight on some of the subjects, but as soon as he gets out of his purely genetic background, his positions are unconvincing. For example, he tells us that the fossil record is now full of transitional species and then provides and adapted species (still the same species) as the example. He also takes on the problem of irreducible complexity, but has more to say when explaining the problem than he does a presentation of a solution. His hypothesis of random mutation yielding complexity is terribly wanting.

Amazing

This book has opened my eyes to the world of God and opened them up even more when it comes to that of the sciences.

Phenomenal

This book was fascinating, fair and far reaching. As a Christian Pastor the author answered many questions. As a follower of Christ having come out of strong belief against Christianity the truth of his own experience resonated with my own. Christianity is a mystery but also very rational.