Atheist Scientist Dismisses Faith
Francis Collins, a renowned physician-geneticist and former head of the Human Genome Project, once believed that science held all the answers. As an outspoken atheist, he dismissed faith until a profound encounter challenged his beliefs. While treating a terminally ill patient, he was struck by her unwavering faith in Jesus despite her suffering. This encounter prompted him to explore the evidence for and against religion, leading him to read C.S. Lewis' 'Mere Christianity.' As Collins himself noted, '...within the first three pages, I realized that my arguments against faith were those of a schoolboy.'
Divine Encounter in Mountains
His intellectual journey took a transformative turn during a hike in the Cascade Mountains. There, he encountered a frozen waterfall split into three parts, which he felt symbolized the Trinity. In that moment, he sensed a release from resistance and experienced profound relief. The following morning, Collins knelt in prayer, acknowledging that God is real, Christ is His son, and he was surrendering his life to this truth.
Bridging Faith and Science
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Collins' mission to bridge the gap between faith and science. He founded the BioLogos Foundation, which encourages dialogue between scientific and faith communities. Through his work, Collins seeks to demonstrate that belief in God and scientific inquiry can coexist harmoniously.
In giving glory to God, Collins' life exemplifies how Jesus can transform a skeptic into a believer, using both personal experiences and intellectual exploration to reveal His presence.
