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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2009 |

Q & A: Francis Collins

The former director of the Human Genome Project hopes to show compatibility between Christianity and science.

By Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 4/30/2009 10:25AM

A year after stepping down as director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins is embarking on a new venture, one that may be even harder than deciphering DNA.

Collin's new BioLogos Foundation, ...

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corpuschristioutreachministries

Posted: May 05, 2009 7:28 AM

(1066) EVOLUTION- It’s time to do a little update. These past few weeks in Texas we have had a debate on evolution and how it should be presented in the text books. The final decision seemed to give both sides a little wiggle room. During the debate news papers would report things like ‘all scientists agree that proofs of evolution are all around us’ and basic misinformation on the whole subject. But to be fair, what do the advocates of evolution mean when they say there are proofs all around us? Basically they are speaking about known changes in the various classes of species that exist. Technically they are claiming that genetic mutations are proof of evolution. What are genetic mutations? All living things have a specified code of information built into to their systems, this code is called DNA. Over time as science has advanced in its ability to examine and test DNA, the evolutionists thought for sure that they would find NEW/ADDED genetic information in the changes that were taki

Anne	Posted: May 03, 2009 9:19 PM

Thanks for the site. Over time I've grown weary of trying to actually dialogue with people about this topic. I'm a Christian and a science teacher. Yet so many people have adopted a "This is the way it is!" mindset that engaging in conversation where people listen to one another openly is a rare event. Folk who read evidence and are open to discovering how God works are few and far between. I look forward to this website, and I've added it to my Diigo bookmarks.

Dwight

Posted: May 03, 2009 9:50 AM

I've read Francis Collins book, "The Language of God". Yes, his view is that evolution is true. However, the book gave me many resources when sharing Christ with those who believe evolution is true. I reject evolution but to learn about the claims of evolution will help anyone who witnesses to in the modern world. The thing I took away from the book was even if evolution were true, it would have had a higher power guiding it. I believe Collins premise is flawed, but much of the information will serve as a great resource for witnessing.

Murray

Posted: May 01, 2009 5:50 PM

Fred, I'm not sure who these "many, many" scientists are, who don't believe in evolution. Unless you're referring to the Discovery Institute's list of dissenters, which consists of some biologists, but mainly of dentists and engineers, and other such people with little expertise in the field. The fact is, evolution by natural selection is the best explanation we have, based on piles and piles of evidence. That's why all but a small handful of scientists agree with it. And those who disagree with it do so on religious grounds, not scientific. If there were a viable alternative theory that offered a better explanation for the data, required fewer assumptions, and allowed for better predictiveness in experimental settings, then it would be taken seriously by scientists. Since there is no such alternative at this point, Dr. Collins is under no obligation as an intellectually honest scientist to cow-tow to people like you, even if it goes against your interpretation of Christianity.

NMcC	Posted: May 01, 2009 4:38 PM


"What kind of answers will the Web site give?" Made up ones.

Xino the anti-Fred

Posted: May 01, 2009 3:20 PM

The commentator Fred should list some of these creationist "scientists" that he thinks are smarter than Dr. Collins, the man who led the Human Genome Project. Does he mean the people who work the Christian Reconstructionist-funded Discovery Institute, like the Unification Church member Jonathan Wells? Or is he talking about the true stalwarts of the Creationist cause, the Young Earth researchers like Henry Morris (a hydraulics engineer)? Perhaps Fred would explain away in 1000 characters or less all the massive DNA and fossil evidence for evolution. Personally, I believe that Noah's Ark was like Dr. Who's Tardis - magically bigger on the inside - and that explained how Noah fit all those animals on board the ark. Satan put the dinosaur bone sin the ground to test our faith. Surely, that's much simpler than acknowledging that Genesis isn't a scientific text. The anti-evolution crusades were the worst mistake the evangelical church ever made. Collins is a visionary. Praise God for him.

JohnH

Posted: April 30, 2009 10:49 PM

Good, about time. Surely the discussion for Christians is not “did God do it?” but as the creator “how did God do it!”. We might even find his finger prints. However we must be careful in how we acess any findings, as we are part of the creation, not the creator, and as such it could be considered that as such cannot directly see the creator. "...no man can see God..." As an Agricultural Scientist am sick and tired of persons telling me that creation happened only in the way that their perception of the creator and bible allows, when we can see that things are different from that in the field. Have a good look at the creation, talk to those doing the work and then think carefully. One will soon realises that often our perception of God can often be "Too Small" and bordering on idolatrous, ie making God in our image.

Fred	Posted: April 30, 2009 9:15 PM

The web site won't do much good since the premise of the thing - that evolution is true, scientifically well-supported and entirely believable - is simply not the case and Dr. Collins surely knows that many, many seientiste lilke him, or maybe even smarter than Dr. Collins, are strongly unconvinced that the evidence is convincing. If Dr. Collins is really serious about promoting some sort of science/Christianity dialogue, he should open the conversation to the dissenters and see what can be learned from real scientists who have strong, very compelling arguements on the other side of the evolution debate (or does he believe there is no debate?). Collins seems to be a theistic evolutionist, a difficult position unless the ordinary claims of evolution are accepted, in which case the ordinary claims of Christianity must be abandoned.

Marcia

Posted: April 30, 2009 4:49 PM


I can't wait for the website. Thanks Dr. Collins!

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