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)

For doubters AND believers

If the Father of the Human Genome, a born-again Christian, says he's a believer, but you still have your doubts, read this incredible book

More Ethical than Apologetic.

good read, but I wish he had spent more time on evidence rather than moral and ethical dilemmas regarding genomics.

really good and knowledgeable perspective

it's really cool to get such a technical perspective of science from a man of faith and understanding how science supports faith. I may not be doing the book justice in explaining, but it's worth the time to understand where he's coming from as well as the counter arguments he has faced. Ultimately he's encouraging us to seek and understand for ourselves how science and faith are not competing arguments but how they go hand-in-hand because God created everything, which includes science, and we are continuing to discover the details of God's creation process. He also touches on how science cannot and will not ever be able to answer the difficult moral and ethical questions of life the world faces with new scientific discoveries and how people from all backgrounds need to be at the table discussing this, not just scientists or theologians, but everyone.

great book

once again, I'm loving the fusing of God and the study of his creation.

Deep

Changed my perception of evolution. Loved it. Will definitely listen to it again. Every human should listen.

Make you think

A book makes you think about things out of you're reach

Have an Open Mind

Listen to this with an open mind. There is a lot to take in and its worth listening to more than once.

Great book for believer & non believer

As a Christian this question "is science & the bible antithetical or not?" is important to my faith. I believe the author gives enough evidence that it does without making conclusions for the reader.

Lucid, thought-provoking and convincing

If you are a Christian interested in the relationship between science and your faith, this light-weight listen will focus your thoughts and provide some new light on old subjects. It is well-thought out, logical and sensible. it is written for the lay person, not scientists, and would be particularly helpful to someone not convinced of God's existence but seeking answers. However, if you are a convinced Creationist already, you should leave this one on it's virtual shelf.

The theology is straightforward and non-aggressive, and his approach is open-minded and probing. I found this book helpful and a stimulus to further thought and reading. The crystallisation of some beliefs I have pondered for years was refreshing and liberating. I'm glad people like Collins are willing and able to put their beliefs into print like this.

However, he should stick to science and leave the singing to the professionals...

Fabulous!

I have always been fascinated by science/genetics, but a very devout Christian as well. Collins is the first person I've ever read whose beliefs are exactly like mine, that evolution can be enmeshed into the Christian belief, and when he explains how he came to this, it all made perfect sense to me. I came away from reading this knowing exactly what my beliefs were and to have them validated by such a great scientist and intellect was empowering. His thoughts and explanations are wonderful; I shall read this again.