Scientist sees room for belief

Christian researcher defends science, faith

Dr. Francis Collins led the government quest to deliver the first draft of human DNA in 2000. The doctor-researcher runs a federal institute that funnels $480 million to genetics studies.

But right now, God is uppermost on his mind.

A devout Christian, Collins has written "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief." The book, which is being released this week, argues that faith in a divine creator can coexist with sound science, including the overwhelming evidence backing evolution.

"It is time to call a truce in the war between science and the spirit," said Collins, 56, who is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute and first became intrigued by faith while a medical school student at UNC-Chapel Hill.

"Science is not threatened by God," he said. "It is enhanced. God is most certainly not threatened by science. He made it all possible."

With such words, Collins challenges some religious fundamentalists and atheists who insist that the world of instruments and measurements cannot be reconciled with faith.

His arguments may unsettle some conservative believers as well as nonbelievers, said Hessel Bouma III, a biology professor at Calvin College in Michigan and president of the American Scientific Affiliation. That group, to which Collins belongs, includes about 1,600 fervent Christians -- scientists and people interested in research -- a good share of whom do not embrace evolution.

"Among some conservatives, the authenticity of your Christian faith is that you believe God created humans uniquely. Francis Collins is challenging that," Bouma said. "Some people are going to say: Wow, this is pushing us farther than we've been going.' "

Others besides Collins view the sometimes hostile relations between faith and science with alarm. Both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have launched projects to foster more dialogue between the two sides.

Lindon J. Eaves, a human genetics professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and an Episcopal priest, sees little gulf between mainstream religious traditions and science. But he observes intolerance for scientific inquiry among some Christians who embrace literal interpretations of the Bible. At the same time, he knows many scientists skeptical of all things religious.

Scientific and religious interests benefit from remaining engaged in intelligent debate, Eaves said. For instance, science explains much about the mechanisms of life, but it hasn't yet been able to explain the full breadth of human experience.

"Theologians ask to what extent is science's understanding of what it is to be human adequate. Does it give justice to our experience? Religion points to some important issues, such as why are we concerned with freedom, truth and justice," Eaves said.

Arriving at belief

Collins wasn't always on this path. He grew up a very bright kid with social-activist parents in rural Virginia. Their actions taught that caring for others was paramount. But God played a bit role at home.

During graduate training in chemistry at Yale University, Collins came to conclude that most of life could be reduced to high-level mathematical equations. But while studying medicine in Chapel Hill in the 1970s, he grew intrigued by the strength his patients drew from their faith.

Ever the empiricist, he decided to examine religion before rejecting it. With urging from Carrboro Methodist minister Sam McMillan, a neighbor, he read the Bible and the writings of C.S. Lewis, the British intellectual and prolific defender of Christian faith.