Scientist Raised Without Faith
Francis Collins, born in Staunton, Virginia, in 1950, was raised in a non-religious home where science was highly esteemed. As he pursued his education, earning a B.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Collins viewed science as the ultimate explanation for life. By the time he entered medical school at the University of North Carolina, he identified as an atheist, believing that everything could be reduced to physics and chemistry.
Medical School Patients Challenge Beliefs
However, a pivotal moment came during medical school when Collins encountered patients facing severe illnesses. He was struck by those who found peace in their faith, leading him to question his own beliefs. One patient, in particular, challenged him to consider what he believed. This prompted Collins to explore different faiths and the evidence for and against the existence of God.
Atheist Becomes Christian in Mountains
Collins found himself deeply influenced by C.S. Lewis's *Mere Christianity*. He realized that his arguments against faith were simplistic and that science couldn't explain the existence of morality. His journey reached a climax during a hike in the Cascade Mountains. Upon encountering a frozen waterfall with three parts, Collins felt it symbolized the Trinity. In that moment, his resistance to Christianity dissolved.
Scientist Conversion Transforms Career
As Collins recounted, 'In my 27th year, I simply could not resist any longer. With some trepidation, I knelt in the dewy grass on an October morning somewhere in the Cascades, and I became a Christian.' This significant transformation didn't conflict with his scientific career. Collins embraced theistic evolution, seeing scientific discovery as an opportunity to appreciate God's creation. He founded the BioLogos Foundation to promote harmony between science and faith.
Throughout his esteemed career as Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute and later the National Institutes of Health, Collins continued to describe himself as a 'serious Christian'. His journey from atheism to faith demonstrates the profound impact of personal experience and intellectual inquiry, underscoring that Jesus was the one who transformed his life.
