Francis S. Collins’s The Language of God dealt with life’s profound questions. The author who is a Christian scientist endeavored to answer these mysteries people tend to ask. This involved some knowledge in physics, biology, and theology. Since his training was in medical school lots were said about the biological approach. On theology he relied heavily on the writings of English religious scholar C. S. Lewis for answers about the Christian faith.
A theme throughout the book was Collins’s belief in the moral law. An understanding that universally people regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or nationality subscribed to the tenets of what was right and wrong. The author used this argument along with other scientific data to support the premise in a God that was in and outside of nature. Nevertheless, he thought that it was up to every individual to figure out their spiritual path.
Collins had no problems with Darwin’s evolution, and said that the genome project provided further proof. He wrote about some genes that were responsible for individuals being susceptible to certain diseases like breast cancer and heart disease - those that so far scientists have decoded. This scientific data was supported by quotations from scripture.
Concerning if religion could be compatible with science, he was positive. Collins stated that there were many scientists who were also religious. The author also did not think much of the arguments of atheists like the British Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. He wrote that their arguments based only on evolution did not solve the mystery concerning if there existed a supreme being. In this book the author presented his evidence by covering the whole sweep of history since the inception of this debate. ( )

A good display of personal reasons for belief and theism. Although it is always interesting to hear about a prime scientist, against the status quo that does not allow to speak out loud about the topic (usually), the importance of the topic could have been better treated. ( )

It is surely a wonderful book to read and to re-read.It has established a new perspective about faith which many like me might find a logical articulation of our own thinkings.In that sense a mind opener.Also is a very informative book about gentics,philosophy etc. ( )

A fascinating discussion about the ability of a passionate believer and practitioner of science to also be a passionate believer in God and his journey from agnostic to atheist to theist. Dr. Collins addresses the similarities in multiple cultures and religions regarding ethics. Most of the discussion was about the acceptance of evolution, as described by Darwin, as being perfectly consistent with a belief in a God who is present in our lives. This is termed "theistic" evolution. The strongest part of the argument for God's participation in our development is the Moral Law, which appears to be given only to Man, not to other forms of life. Although this God-given attribute is often broken by religious and nonreligious people alike, he states this shows our lack of perfection and knowledge, not the absence of God.

Dr. Collins also discusses various parts of the Bible — some if it being historical and some of it (e.g., Genesis) being allegorical. As a Christian, he is naturally drawn to the New Testament and makes an argument for the resurrection of Jesus. Not being a Christian myself, I did not quite understand that part, but it was still very interesting.

At the end of the book, he has a section on bioethics. While interesting, there are many topics he didn’t discuss. He was careful not to weigh in on the question of whether life begins at conception and the debate about abortion. Because I would like to know the views of one of our top scientists and self-proclaimed theists, I was disappointed but perhaps that is really an entire book in itself. For that the book lost half a star, but it is obviously still a very worthwhile and fascinating read. ( )

This book is a must for those who doesn't see clearly that science and religion comes hand in hand. ( )