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Why the Fuss About Dr. Francis Collins' Faith?

by Elizabeth Palmberg 07-10-2009 | 6:04pm
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090710-dr-francis-collinsI'm excited about the the commentary Dr. Francis Collins, former head of the Human Genome Project, wrote for the August issue of Sojourners, so I enjoyed most of NPR's news story yesterday about Dr. Collins' nomination to be head of the National Institute of Health.

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Except for the surreal part that lapsed into repeated skepticism about one of the aspects of his life on which Dr. Collins has been most vocal: the positive relationship between science and his evangelical Christian faith.

After a perfectly reasonable description of Collins' qualifications as a scientist who has skills as an administrator and communicator, and who can navigate governmental politics, NPR anchor Steve Inskeep and science correspondent John Hamilton

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by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 8:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

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by: Eric77

07-10-2009 @ 5:56pm

Good commentary Elizabeth! My wife works for NIH and is extremely excited about Dr. Collins' appointment.

There are non-Christian scientists out there who are bigoted or prejudiced against Christians, and evangelicals in particular. They can't seem to grasp that someone can be an effective scientist and a Christian at the same time. Hamilton doesn't seem like he can grasp this either.

by: Palosaari

07-10-2009 @ 8:11pm

It's good to remember, contrary to popular wisdom, that the majority of scientists in America are Theists- and that's when defining "scientist" as one who accepts evolution. Fundamentalist Atheists and Fundamentalist Christians may not like it, for it doesn't fit their preconceived notions of reality, but somehow, God remains bigger than our preconceived notions of reality.

by: bhaack

07-11-2009 @ 5:24am

Hmmm one wonders how science managed to progress so well before atheism became the "official" position in the scientific community.

How one's belief in God disqualified them from being a good scientist is beyond me. What is important is that a scientist be committed to the scientific method. There are plenty of atheists who are disqualified on those grounds.

by: 1Grace

07-11-2009 @ 4:50pm

Good point Palosaari . The most harm done to sceince is those who one side take Genesis and fit into 6000 years old earth or those secularists who take the Creation and make it a random act of pure chance without any possibilty of divine order. So many people do fit in the middle , some tilting towards one or the other side , but open to sharing and tolerating others .

God always has a way of humbling the smarty pants on either side .

by: pogo

07-11-2009 @ 6:16pm

What's the big deal? I spent 40 years as a research scientist and consider myself an evangelical Christian. The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism. Creationism and evolutionism are both religious terms and the is a conflict between them.

by: Eric77

07-10-2009 @ 5:56pm

Good commentary Elizabeth! My wife works for NIH and is extremely excited about Dr. Collins' appointment.

There are non-Christian scientists out there who are bigoted or prejudiced against Christians, and evangelicals in particular. They can't seem to grasp that someone can be an effective scientist and a Christian at the same time. Hamilton doesn't seem like he can grasp this either.

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by: Palosaari

07-10-2009 @ 8:11pm

It's good to remember, contrary to popular wisdom, that the majority of scientists in America are Theists- and that's when defining "scientist" as one who accepts evolution. Fundamentalist Atheists and Fundamentalist Christians may not like it, for it doesn't fit their preconceived notions of reality, but somehow, God remains bigger than our preconceived notions of reality.

by: bhaack

07-11-2009 @ 5:24am

Hmmm one wonders how science managed to progress so well before atheism became the "official" position in the scientific community.

How one's belief in God disqualified them from being a good scientist is beyond me. What is important is that a scientist be committed to the scientific method. There are plenty of atheists who are disqualified on those grounds.

by: 1Grace

07-11-2009 @ 4:50pm

Good point Palosaari . The most harm done to sceince is those who one side take Genesis and fit into 6000 years old earth or those secularists who take the Creation and make it a random act of pure chance without any possibilty of divine order. So many people do fit in the middle , some tilting towards one or the other side , but open to sharing and tolerating others .

God always has a way of humbling the smarty pants on either side .

by: pogo

07-11-2009 @ 6:16pm

What's the big deal? I spent 40 years as a research scientist and consider myself an evangelical Christian. The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism. Creationism and evolutionism are both religious terms and the is a conflict between them.

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by: SisterMarie

07-14-2009 @ 12:03pm

"The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism."???

Even though I have only my high school diploma, I thought that I understood this subject until now. Please explain the difference in terms that I can understand.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

by: letjusticerolldown

07-14-2009 @ 1:51pm

I rather suspect the negative reaction is not coming out of a 'science vs evangelicalism' conflict -- but rather a deeper and broader basic human struggle about whether God exists; and whether humanity ought to bow.

I doubt the reporting is driven by scientists, who because of their science, doubt his capacity to lead NIH. I suspect it is driven by a larger cultural storyline (fully advanced by major media) that conservative evangelicals are anti-reason and anti-science; and for this reason their promotion of a God-centered reality to which we are called to submit can be rejected.

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by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 8:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

by: SisterMarie

07-14-2009 @ 12:03pm

"The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism."???

Even though I have only my high school diploma, I thought that I understood this subject until now. Please explain the difference in terms that I can understand.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

by: letjusticerolldown

07-14-2009 @ 1:51pm

I rather suspect the negative reaction is not coming out of a 'science vs evangelicalism' conflict -- but rather a deeper and broader basic human struggle about whether God exists; and whether humanity ought to bow.

I doubt the reporting is driven by scientists, who because of their science, doubt his capacity to lead NIH. I suspect it is driven by a larger cultural storyline (fully advanced by major media) that conservative evangelicals are anti-reason and anti-science; and for this reason their promotion of a God-centered reality to which we are called to submit can be rejected.

by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 6:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

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by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 6:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

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by: Eric77

07-10-2009 @ 5:56pm

Good commentary Elizabeth! My wife works for NIH and is extremely excited about Dr. Collins' appointment.

There are non-Christian scientists out there who are bigoted or prejudiced against Christians, and evangelicals in particular. They can't seem to grasp that someone can be an effective scientist and a Christian at the same time. Hamilton doesn't seem like he can grasp this either.

by: Eric77

07-10-2009 @ 5:56pm

Good commentary Elizabeth! My wife works for NIH and is extremely excited about Dr. Collins' appointment.

There are non-Christian scientists out there who are bigoted or prejudiced against Christians, and evangelicals in particular. They can't seem to grasp that someone can be an effective scientist and a Christian at the same time. Hamilton doesn't seem like he can grasp this either.

by: Palosaari

07-10-2009 @ 8:11pm

It's good to remember, contrary to popular wisdom, that the majority of scientists in America are Theists- and that's when defining "scientist" as one who accepts evolution. Fundamentalist Atheists and Fundamentalist Christians may not like it, for it doesn't fit their preconceived notions of reality, but somehow, God remains bigger than our preconceived notions of reality.

by: Palosaari

07-10-2009 @ 8:11pm

It's good to remember, contrary to popular wisdom, that the majority of scientists in America are Theists- and that's when defining "scientist" as one who accepts evolution. Fundamentalist Atheists and Fundamentalist Christians may not like it, for it doesn't fit their preconceived notions of reality, but somehow, God remains bigger than our preconceived notions of reality.

by: bhaack

07-11-2009 @ 5:24am

Hmmm one wonders how science managed to progress so well before atheism became the "official" position in the scientific community.

How one's belief in God disqualified them from being a good scientist is beyond me. What is important is that a scientist be committed to the scientific method. There are plenty of atheists who are disqualified on those grounds.

by: bhaack

07-11-2009 @ 5:24am

Hmmm one wonders how science managed to progress so well before atheism became the "official" position in the scientific community.

How one's belief in God disqualified them from being a good scientist is beyond me. What is important is that a scientist be committed to the scientific method. There are plenty of atheists who are disqualified on those grounds.

by: 1Grace

07-11-2009 @ 4:50pm

Good point Palosaari . The most harm done to sceince is those who one side take Genesis and fit into 6000 years old earth or those secularists who take the Creation and make it a random act of pure chance without any possibilty of divine order. So many people do fit in the middle , some tilting towards one or the other side , but open to sharing and tolerating others .

God always has a way of humbling the smarty pants on either side .

by: 1Grace

07-11-2009 @ 4:50pm

Good point Palosaari . The most harm done to sceince is those who one side take Genesis and fit into 6000 years old earth or those secularists who take the Creation and make it a random act of pure chance without any possibilty of divine order. So many people do fit in the middle , some tilting towards one or the other side , but open to sharing and tolerating others .

God always has a way of humbling the smarty pants on either side .

by: pogo

07-11-2009 @ 6:16pm

What's the big deal? I spent 40 years as a research scientist and consider myself an evangelical Christian. The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism. Creationism and evolutionism are both religious terms and the is a conflict between them.

by: pogo

07-11-2009 @ 6:16pm

What's the big deal? I spent 40 years as a research scientist and consider myself an evangelical Christian. The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism. Creationism and evolutionism are both religious terms and the is a conflict between them.

by: SisterMarie

07-14-2009 @ 12:03pm

"The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism."???

Even though I have only my high school diploma, I thought that I understood this subject until now. Please explain the difference in terms that I can understand.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

by: SisterMarie

07-14-2009 @ 12:03pm

"The thing is that creation and evolution are not the same as creationism and evolutionism."???

Even though I have only my high school diploma, I thought that I understood this subject until now. Please explain the difference in terms that I can understand.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

by: letjusticerolldown

07-14-2009 @ 1:51pm

I rather suspect the negative reaction is not coming out of a 'science vs evangelicalism' conflict -- but rather a deeper and broader basic human struggle about whether God exists; and whether humanity ought to bow.

I doubt the reporting is driven by scientists, who because of their science, doubt his capacity to lead NIH. I suspect it is driven by a larger cultural storyline (fully advanced by major media) that conservative evangelicals are anti-reason and anti-science; and for this reason their promotion of a God-centered reality to which we are called to submit can be rejected.

by: letjusticerolldown

07-14-2009 @ 1:51pm

I rather suspect the negative reaction is not coming out of a 'science vs evangelicalism' conflict -- but rather a deeper and broader basic human struggle about whether God exists; and whether humanity ought to bow.

I doubt the reporting is driven by scientists, who because of their science, doubt his capacity to lead NIH. I suspect it is driven by a larger cultural storyline (fully advanced by major media) that conservative evangelicals are anti-reason and anti-science; and for this reason their promotion of a God-centered reality to which we are called to submit can be rejected.

by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 6:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 6:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 8:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

by: RachelK

07-15-2009 @ 8:05pm

"Tough-minded thinking and tenderhearted reverence are friends, not enemies. We have for too long separated the head from the heart, and we are the lesser for it. We love God with the mind and we love God with the heart. In reality, we are descending with the mind into the heart and there standing before God in ceaseless wonder and endless praise. As the mind and the heart work in concert, a kind of "loving rationality" pervades all we say and do. This brings unity to us and glory to God."
- Soren Kierkegaard

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