The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

by Francis S. Collins

For the theist, who is led from the Moral Law argument (Chapter 1) to seek a God who not only set the universe in motion, but takes an interest in human beings, such a synthesis can be readily achieved. The argument would go something like this: If God exists, then He is supernatural. If He is supernatural, then He is not limited by natural laws. If He is not limited by natural laws, there is no reason He should be limited by time. If He is not limited by time, then He is in the past, the present, and the future. The consequence of those conclusions would include: He could exist before the Big Bang and He could exist after the universe fades away, if it ever does. He could know the precise outcome of the formation of the universe even before it started. He could have foreknowledge of a planet near the outer rim of an average spiral galaxy that would have just the right characteristics to allow life. He could have foreknowledge that that planet would lead to the development of sentient creatures, through the mechanism of evolution by natural selection. He could even know in advance the thoughts and actions of those creatures, even though they themselves have free will.