How science and theology can help advance truth | Brenton DeBoef | TEDxURI

Key Concepts:

• Double loneliness: The feeling of keeping two integral parts of oneself separate.
• Faith and Science: Two systems of belief, often perceived as conflicting.
• Trust: The foundation upon which both faith and scientific understanding are built.
• Communication of Science: The challenge of conveying scientific concepts to communities of faith.
• Personal Approach: The importance of building relationships and respect when communicating science.

I. The Experience of Double Loneliness

• The speaker describes "double loneliness" as the feeling of having two true aspects of oneself that are kept separate, leading to a sense of incompleteness in interactions.
• In any given situation, the speaker only presents a part of themself, preventing others from seeing the whole person.

II. Faith, Science, and Trust: Two Sets of Data

• DNA as an Example of Scientific Trust:
  • The speaker uses the example of DNA's double helix structure to illustrate that much of what we accept as scientific truth is based on trust.
  • While the double helix structure was determined through data and equations by James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin, it wasn't directly observed until recently with cryoEM.
  • The speaker emphasizes that despite not having seen it directly for many years, people trusted the scientific findings and accepted the double helix as fact.
• Genealogy of Jesus as an Example of Faith-Based Trust:
  • The speaker presents the genealogy of Jesus from the New Testament as a data set that millions believe to be true, even though its accuracy cannot be definitively proven.
  • The speaker draws a parallel between trusting in the unseen structure of DNA and trusting in the historical accuracy of religious texts.
• Faith and Science Intertwined with Trust:
  • The speaker argues that both faith and science rely heavily on trust, as we accept many things as true without direct personal verification.

III. The Tumultuous History and Personal Conflict

• Historical Conflict:
  • The speaker acknowledges the historical conflict between faith and science, citing Galileo's persecution as a prime example.
  • Studies show that increased belief in holy scriptures often correlates with increased distrust of scientific truths.
• Personal Struggle:
  • The speaker reveals a long-standing struggle to reconcile their identity as a scientist with their identity as a person of faith.
  • They admit to avoiding discussions about faith in scientific settings and vice versa, due to fear of judgment.

IV. The Pandemic and a Turning Point

• Crisis of Misinformation:
  • The speaker highlights the crisis of misinformation during the pandemic, particularly within evangelical Christian communities.
• Taking Action:
  • Motivated by this crisis, the speaker created a low-production-quality video explaining the science behind mRNA vaccines in a Christian context.
  • The speaker was initially terrified of being ostracized for this action.
• Unexpected Support:
  • The speaker was surprised to receive support from their cousin, a pastor, who shared the video with his congregation.
  • They also engaged in a Zoom call with a missionary's congregation in South Korea, answering questions about the science and faith intersection.
• Online Criticism:
  • The speaker acknowledges negative comments received online, highlighting the challenge of communicating with strangers who lack trust.
  • The speaker used the negative comments as an opportunity to teach their children about Christian ethics.

V. Communicating Science to Communities of Faith

• Scientists are Good People:
  • The speaker references a previous video where they tried to convey that scientists are honest and hardworking individuals.
• Communities of Faith are Good People:
  • The speaker now aims to convey that communities of faith are also full of good people, and their skepticism of science is understandable.
• Personal Approach is Key:
  • The speaker emphasizes that a personal approach, built on respect and relationships, is crucial for effective science communication, especially with communities of faith.
  • Degrees and data alone are insufficient to overcome distrust.

VI. Conclusion: Embracing the Intersection

• Addressing Double Loneliness:
  • The speaker encourages those who feel "doubly lonely" to embrace the intersection of their seemingly disparate identities.
  • For the speaker, this intersection is between their identity as a scientist and their identity as a person of faith.
• A Gift for Such a Time as This:
  • The speaker concludes that the unique perspective gained from embracing these intersections is a valuable asset.

Notable Quotes:

• "For most of my adult life, I have felt doubly lonely."
• "We all believe things we can't see."
• "Our degrees and data don't stand a chance against respect and relationships."
• "Those two streams of truth intersect in you and that's a gift for such a time as this."

Technical Terms/Concepts:

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.
• Double Helix: The iconic twisted ladder shape of the DNA molecule.
• CryoEM (Cryo-Electron Microscopy): An advanced microscopy technique used to visualize the structure of biomolecules.
• mRNA Vaccines: Vaccines that use messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response.
• Genealogy: A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.

Logical Connections:

• The speaker uses the examples of DNA and the genealogy of Jesus to illustrate the common reliance on trust in both science and faith.
• The speaker connects their personal struggle with double loneliness to the broader challenge of communicating science to communities of faith.
• The speaker's experience during the pandemic serves as a turning point, leading them to advocate for a more personal and relational approach to science communication.

Main Takeaways/Synthesis:

The speaker argues that both science and faith rely on trust and that the perceived conflict between them can be bridged through personal connections and mutual respect. Embracing the intersection of seemingly disparate identities, such as being both a scientist and a person of faith, can be a valuable asset in communicating complex ideas and fostering understanding. The key to effective science communication, particularly with communities of faith, lies in building relationships and establishing trust, rather than simply presenting data and credentials.