The New York Timeswrites about science and faith in a profile of the new National Institutes of Health head Francis Collins, author of The Language of God: ‘A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.
This is our 100th episode! Thank you so much for being a part of the Viral Jesus community. And a special thank you to those of you who have journeyed with us 100 times and back. In honor of episode 100, Heather shares a devotional thought about faith, consistency, and perseverance from Romans 4:19–22.
This week, Heather also sits down with author Aaron Armstrong. Aaron’s latest book is called I’m a Christian―Now What? A Guide to Your New Life with Christ. Heather and Aaron discuss Aaron’s experience of converting to Christianity in adulthood, what a pastor did that helped Aaron feel a sense of psychological safety, and the questions Aaron thinks new believers may be asking.
Guest Bio
Aaron Armstrong is the author of several books for adults and children, a documentary screenwriter, ministry leader, and podcaster. A Canadian living in the United States, he serves at his local church as a community group leader and as a part of the preaching team. He and his wife, Emily, have three children: Abigail, Hannah, and Hudson.
Host Bio
Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links.
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Collins resigned in August from from the BioLogos Foundation, the foundation he started as a way to reconcile faith and science. At the time, he noted concerns people had about his outspoken faith. Here’s The Times‘ take:
First, there is the God issue. Dr. Collins believes in him. Passionately. And he preaches about his belief in churches and a best-selling book. For some presidential appointees, that might not be a problem, but many scientists view such outspoken religious commitment as a sign of mild dementia.
And the Wall Street Journalstrikes back:
It seems unlikely that scientists think religious commitment is literally a symptom of dementia. What the Times is really saying is that “many scientists”–how many is not specified–are prejudiced against religious people. It’s one of the few prejudices the Times would discuss so glibly.
This is the second time that The New York Times‘ Gardiner Harris has outlined concerns about Collins’s faith. In July, The Times published an op-ed from Sam Harris criticizing Collins’s appointment.
Francis Collins is an accomplished scientist and a man who is sincere in his beliefs. And that is precisely what makes me so uncomfortable about his nomination. Must we really entrust the future of biomedical research in the United States to a man who sincerely believes that a scientific understanding of human nature is impossible?
Collins’s appointment received both praise and criticism from conservative Christian groups after his appointment.
