Professor Sir Colin Humphreys CBE has served as president of both the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and "Christians in Science", while leading materials research throughout a long academic career. This article reflects on his role in posing and answering big questions, both in science and engineering, as well as in humanities and religion. Humphreys would make a good case study for teachers and students to consider how a research scientist can bridge the cultural divide between science and religion.