24 October 2017 | Loma Linda, United States [Geoscience Research Institute / tedNEWS] A new documentary released just in time for Creation Sabbath, 28 October, shares the experience of Dr Isabel de Moraes, a leading scientist in the discipline of x-ray crystallography. An Elder of Newbold church and a governor and guest lecturer of the college, Moraes shares how her life as a top scientist mixes with her faith in the Creator God of the Bible.
This captivating documentary is the fourth in a series of Seeking Understanding videos produced by the Geoscience Research Institute that aim to ‘get under the skin’ of scientists, exploring their lives, research and faith.
Crystallography is an exciting science that uses x-rays to image the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Moraes doesn’t work with just any proteins, she works with proteins found embedded in cell membranes. These are among the most important molecules in biology. Many drugs work by binding to membrane proteins and they are essential for the normal functions of cells, particularly in humans. But they are also extraordinarily difficult to work with. This puts Moraes’ work on the extreme and fascinating cutting edge of science today.
The ‘Seeking Understanding’ series addresses the myth that all scientists follow a strictly materialistic philosophy that denies the action of God in the past or present. Many of the most productive and brilliant scientists find their research reveals the brilliance of the Creator of the universe and life. What we see in nature makes sense in light of the Bible’s teaching that God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), also sustains the universe (Colossians 1:16,17).
“I’m not sure which I find more intriguing when making these documentaries,” says Timothy Standish, series producer and a senior scientist at the Geoscience Research Institute. “As a scientist myself, I’m naturally drawn to the scientific discoveries of those whom we profile, but then their personal stories are mesmerising. It turns out that scientists are human and the events and challenges they have faced in life can be remarkable.
“The way God has led in the lives of those we profile and how they have been brought to Christ in sometimes remarkable ways, adds a layer of meaning that transcends a dry litany of dates, experiments and results,” says Standish. “For me, producing this series has made science and scientists come alive in a whole new way.”
The 25-minute film is an excellent companion to the 5-minute 2017 Creation Sabbath film, ‘The Hole’, which can be streamed or downloaded here.
SEE ALSO
Other films in the ‘Seeking Understanding’ series.
More ideas and resources for Creation Sabbath.
Learn how, as a child, Dr Moraes fed her epilepsy medication to her dog – and how a child regarded as retarded went on to become a significant scientist. Watch her on the Hope Channel series, ‘In Conversation’. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Deana Stojkovic, associate editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted.adventist.org
tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
