Booker...
I've wanted to read this book for years. I don't know why it took me so long to get around to it, but I finally did and I really enjoyed it. Dr. Francis Collins was the lead person for the Human Genome Project. Dr. Collins (whose profession as a scientist depends on observation, data collection, and analysis) takes you through his journey to belief. Dr. Collins didn't grow up a "cradle-Christian" and has had painful things happen to his family. I think that can help the skeptic to be even more open-minded to what Dr. Collins has to say.
He definitely shows how science and religion on in harmony with each other. As a serious Catholic and would-be scientist, I have felt this my whole life, but the loudest voices in the discussion are the two extremes: no God or no Science. My opinion has always been that religion tells us who and science tells us how. And I have no fear because I know as Pope Leo XIII said, "truth cannot contradict truth".But that's not the only point Dr. Collins makes. He makes a logical basis for believing in God. Some of the points he discusses include the overall moral scales that humans across the globe have and our emotional responses to beauty. A symphony is actually only sound waves vibrating in the air to our ear, yet it can stir powerful emotions within us.
I highly recommend this book for people who don't think science and religion work together, those who think believing in God is illogical or a crutch, for those who want to know how to talk with others about their doubts, and for those who appreciate the beauty in the science of creation.
At the end of the book, Dr. Collins offers a synopsis of a few bioethics situation. It's not an in depth discussion--it's not meant to be, but it's good for sparking discussion or pondering for those who haven't though about it before. The book also includes further resources and a reading group discussion guide.
Thanks for reviewing this book! I went to add it to my wishlist and noticed there was already a rebuttal book authored/published by an athiest. Sad stuff reading through many of the reviews and comments for both books. Just goes to show how blind humans can be to God's works in creation, and yet He tells us to expect that in Romans 1:20–21 (RSV):
ReplyDelete"20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened."
Since you enjoy these types of books, I have a few others sitting on my bookshelf that I haven't gotten to yet if you want to borrow them:
The Language of Science and Faith (Karl Giberson and Francis Collins - yep, same author)
Creation as Science (Hugh Ross)
Darwin's Black Box (Michael Behe)
The Cell's Design (Fazale Rana)
Of course, since I haven't read them yet, I can't say how good they'll be. Let me know if you want to borrow any and I'll send them home with Blogger.
Thanks for the other book suggestions. You might be interested in looking at the debate between Francis Collins and Richard Dawkins held by Time Magazine. Here's the link
ReplyDeletehttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1555132,00.html
Wow, that was riveting to read. I've read from Dawkins before, and he's always interesting (at least) to read and think about, but reading Collins' statements have me much more excited to check out his books now. Thanks for passing that on!
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