Episode
Francis Collins & Kristine Torjesen on The Fight for Public Health: Science, Faith, and What's at Stake?
- Podcast
- Good Faith
- Published
- Mar 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3242
- Processing state
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Summary
From Breakthroughs to Budget Cuts: The Rollercoaster of Modern Medical Research What happens when politics wages war on science—and Christians get caught in the blast radius? In this Good Faith Podcast episode, Curtis Chang talks with former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins and BioLogos president Dr. Kristine Torjesen about Collins' forced exit from NIH, the shutdown of a major HIV prevention programs in Africa, and how cuts to vaccines, medical research, and public health are threatening lives and future breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer's, and pandemic preparedness. They also confront vaccine distrust, anti-institution politics, and evangelical skepticism of science, while making the case that science is not the enemy of faith but a gift from God for truth, healing, and human flourishing. Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher 05:56 - Political Interference in Science Roles, Research, and Aid Cuts 10:57 - Are Medical Advances Threatened by Political Decisions? 16:03 - Curtis Gets Candid About Unexpected Benefits of Medical Aid in His Life 17:34 - Vaccine Policy Changes and Anti-Vax Influence 20:46 - Engaging Christians Who Distrust Science 25:39 - What Lessons Can We Learn from COVID Vaccine Promotion 28:32 - Is Science Politically Biased? 36:15 - Distrust of Institutions and Its Roots 44:45 - Equipping Pastors and Parents for Faith-Science Conversations 46:59 - Hopeful Medical Advances Despite Setbacks 50:15 - Science as a Source of Beauty and Worship Scriptures: John 14:6 (ESV) Mentioned in This Episode: Check out the Biologos website Announcement: Dr. Kristine Torjesen becomes BioLogos' 3rd president and CEO Biologos: Kristine Torjesen's Profe…