The recent decoding of the human genome surprised many in the scientific community that something so huge and so complex has finally been unraveled. The human genome, the DNA coding for every hereditary trait that influences the development of any individual, is carried in every living cell of the human body. If it were printed in English, it would consist of three billion characters. A printed English version would make a book as thick as the Washington monument is tall. Cracking the human genome paves the way for scientists to identify genes that cause hereditary defects and makes possible a cure for these defects.

Francis S. Collins started his education as an agnostic. During graduate study, when he was twenty-one, he became an atheist. When he was twenty-six, someone caused him to reexamine his beliefs. His was a challenging journey, being a well-informed scientist considering the presence of God when many scientists are convinced that there is no God. Collins gradually became convinced that God does exist. The complexity of the human genome helped him realize that something so complex and so effective in determining the human bodily and physical abilities as well as the bodies and instincts of every living creature simply cannot be the product of pure chance. It’s a glimpse of the God that cannot be seen creating the physical universe that can be seen. We see the physical result only after God has created it.

Collins described his journey to faith by explaining the human genome. Then he reviews current scientific theories explaining the origin of the universe and the solar system. He shows that these theories are not inconsistent with what is revealed in Scripture. He cites polarization of both religious apologists and scientists and argues that the conflict between religion and science stems more from misstatements from both sides than it does from any true conflict between the two fields of study. He quotes St. Augustine’s warning: “In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines this position, we too fall with it.”

Collins finishes his book with a cogent discussion of bioethics that will give the reader much food for thought. “The Language of God” is a well-written, very informative book that shows that there is no real contradiction between the discoveries of science and the existence of God.

Maurice A. Williams