logo

31 pages 1 hour read

Francis S. Collins

The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2006

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“It is humbling for me, and awe-inspiring, to realize that we have caught the first glimpse of our own instruction book, previously known only to God.”


(Introduction, Page 3)

Collins spoke these words at a ceremony at the White House to mark the announcement of the unveiling of the genetic code. His remarks immediately followed President Bill Clinton’s address, echoing the president’s mention of the religious implications of the genetic code. Collins’s statement showed that he wanted the religious aspect of genetics at the forefront of the genome project as presented to the public.

Quotation Mark Icon

“[F]or me the experience of sequencing the human genome, and uncovering this most remarkable of all texts, was both a stunning scientific achievement and an occasion of worship.”


(Introduction, Page 3)

Collins was convinced that the project to crack the genetic code had a spiritual and religious dimension, “the language of God.” The genome is similar to a language in that it consists of a “code” of letters representing chemical components. Like a language or text, the genome provides “instructions” to the body’s cells to perform particular functions.

Quotation Mark Icon

“In my view, there is no conflict in being a rigorous scientist and a person who believes in a God who takes a personal interest in each one of us.”


(Introduction, Page 6)

The central conviction of the book is that science and religion are compatible. Collins makes this conviction personal by presenting himself as a believer in God who is also a scientist, and by relating the various issues of the book to his own experiences as a scientist and Christian.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 31 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools
Loading...