By faith we understand,
that the universe was created
by the Word of God. (Hebrews 11:3)
Dear Priscilla,
It has been a joy reading with you The Language of God by Francis Collins—the lead scientist of the Human Genome Project. Did his notion of “biologos” provide a satisfactory harmony between science and faith?
I thought about how C.S. Lewis, telling young people who want to do apologetics: “What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent” (Essay Collection, p. 150). That is exactly what Francis Collins gives us—a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes, and his visionary leadership of the Human Genome Project; who just happens to be a committed Christian. Lewis’ day job was as a literary critic publishing such books in his field of study as Study in Words; and, An Experiment in Criticisms, and the epic vol. III of The Oxford History of English Literature in the Sixteenth Century published over 70 years ago and still used in classrooms to this today. He was an accomplished literary scholar who just happened to be a Christian. Like Collins, his apologetics comes from his testimony: “This is why I believe…”
That is exactly what the Bible tells us to do: “Always be ready to make your defense (apologia) to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence” (1Pt 3:15-16). Collins, like Lewis, goes about his apologetics because he happens to be Christians. He does it persuasively, yet always with gentleness and reverence towards those who demand an accounting. His apologetics comes as a testimony concerning the hope of the Gospel that lies within him.
So, do well in Computer Science. And, be prepared to explain to others the hope of the Gospel that lies within you.
Love, Papa
