Excerpt: "The Language of God"- Francis Collins Shares Personal Testimony to Explain Reasoning

ABC News ^

[mnehring]

From the time Copernicus proved Ptolemy wrong that the earth did indeed orbit around the sun, scientific reason has found itself at odds with religion. In his new book, "The Language of God," geneticist Francis S. Collins explains through personal testimony why faith and reason can and do coexist peacefully, and how one actually complements the other....

[mnehring]

Very long but very good read. I would also highly suggest the book. A good view at how science and faith are not at odds.

[Question_Assumptions]

Ping for later.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[blackpacific]

An old Belgian Benedictine monk we know in Southern California, who turns 100 this July, presents an vivid image from his youth that echoes the same idea. Having traveled the oceans by boat, and continents by train, he asks, in his thick Belgian accent, the question; “When is the locomotive most free, when is on the rails, or when it is off?” He then adds, “The mind is most free when it rests on the rails of Faith and Reason.”

[mnehring]

I need to make a note of that.. good quote.

[Blueflag]

not a new book, but a REALLY good book, especially for your friends who are too smart to believe in God.

I have given this book away repeatedly to ‘intellectuals’ with a challenge to refute the case Dr. Collins makes.

[mnehring]

I’m kind of on the other end, I’ve given or loaned many copies to friends who are too pious to believe in science. :->
Same results..

[Blueflag]

Excellent point! Only our sovereign God could make science (i.e., the natural world/reality) so rational.

Hadn’t looked at it that way. ;-)

[Ancesthntr]

Another great book on the subject is “Genesis and the Big Bang” by Gerald Schroeder, an astrophysicist and an Orthodox Jew. He says that the Bible explains, in simpler language, exactly how the universe came into being, how development occurred and that it is billions of years old (NOT 5,770 or so). He is absolutely firm on the idea that there is no contradiction between science and religion, so long as you understand both (and many on both sides don’t have a clue about the other side, and aren’t interested in finding out).

[posterchild]

Thanks for the post. It also inspires me to read the book mentioned in the article - ‘Mere Christianity’ by C. S. Lewis.

In a previous line of work I attended a few of his talks. I remember being (positively) surprised by one of his comments referencing God.

[mnehring]

Thanks for the recommendation, just ordered it. (Amazon one click can be dangerous)

[Wilhelm Tell]

He says that the Bible explains, in simpler language, exactly how the universe came into being, how development occurred and that it is billions of years old (NOT 5,770 or so).

I will have to look for Schroeder's book. Often one only hears the atheist scoffers on one side or on the other side, those who, for a lot of peculiar reasons, limit God to a 6,000 year timeline.

[Kevmo]

Speaking of good books, Francis Collins, theistic evolution, and polite discourse, I had earlier opened up a thread to discuss this topic under ecumenical “rails”... something to keep in mind in case the discussion goes off the rail.

Collins attempts to meld God and science [Ecumenical Thread]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2248206/posts

Sunday, May 10, 2009 3:58:40 PM · 5 of 11
Kevmo to All; Alamo-Girl; betty boop
One of the best books on this subject was written by two of our very own Alpha Freepers, Alamo Girl and Betty Boop.

Don’t Let Science Get You Down, Timothy: A Light-hearted (but Deadly Serious) Dialogue on Science, Faith, and Culture by Jean Drew and Sandi Venable (Paperback - Jan 27, 2007)
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Science-Down-Timothy-Light-hearted/dp/1430304693/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241996192&sr=1-1
Buy new: $19.9617 Used & new from $19.11
Get it by Tuesday, May 12 if you order in the next 20 hours and choose one-day shipping.
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies

[mnehring]

ordered.
I’m becoming an alamo-girl fan. :->

I’ll have to mail this one off for an autograph too. (kidding, I won’t bug ya with this one.. but I did order it)

[mel]

Brt

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much for remembering our book Timothy, dear Kevmo!

[Alamo-Girl]

Send it my way, I’ll be glad to autograph it for you, dear mnehring!

[Zero Sum]

BFLR

“For on any view man is in one sense clearly made “out of” something else. He is an animal; but an animal called to be, or raised to be, or (if you like) doomed to be, something more than an animal.” -C.S. Lewis

[onedoug]

Collins/Schroeder bump!

[Ancesthntr]

Enjoy. There’s a ton of info there, you may need to read it, put it down for a week or two, and read it again.