Jul 16, 2019
Elizabeth Jeffries PhD, author of Through the Kaleidoscope, sits down with Irenicast co-host Jeff, bringing forth spiritual treasures out of the world of molecular biology. For anyone seeking to ground their religious affections and theological process in the solid matter of the natural world, Jeffries offers fresh ideas-- herself having navigated a path of deconstruction with an open mind and open heart.
Growing up evangelical, Elizabeth Jeffries was certain about how the world worked. She had an unfalsifiable understanding of scripture, sin, God’s will, and the role of women, and she carried this same certitude into her graduate study of cell biology. There, rather than discover the simplicity of the natural world, she instead discovered the simplistic lenses through which she was viewing the world all along.
In her first book, a work of deep reflection and vulnerable storytelling, Elizabeth invites readers to candidly tour her conservative Christian upbringing and the self-condemning doctrines that shaped her identity. With grace and intelligence, she critically engages her past without condemning it. She brilliantly draws from her insights in the laboratory and offers a new set of metaphors from the field of cell biology to help reframe concepts like identity, community, certainty, perfectionism and truth. The result is a rich tapestry of the scientific and the sacred.
Through the Kaleidoscope is Elizabeth’s journey through the emergence, maturation, and collapse of the evangelical worldview—as well as her re-enchantment with an inclusive truth too deep and too wide to ever be contained in just one set of religious metaphors.
RELEVANT LINKS
From Our Conversation with Elizabeth Jeffries PhD
- Through the Kaleidoscope: How Exploring Cell Biology Transforms My Relationship with God by Elizabeth Jeffries (Book - Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Molecular Biology
- Horizontal Gene Transfer
- The Martian by Andy Weir (Book - Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Cosmology Shapes Our Theology – A Chaotic Journey – 138 (Irenicast Episode)
THANK YOU - ELIZABETH JEFFRIES PhD
A big thank you to Elizabeth Jeffries PhD for being on the show this week. Make sure to keep up to date on all her work on her website http://www.elizabethjeffrieswrites.com. Also follow her on Instagram and Twitter. And of course make sure to get your copy of Through the Kaleidoscope: How Exploring Cell Biology Transforms My Relationship with God
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IRENCAST HOSTS
Rev. Allen O’Brien, MAT | co-founder & co-host | allen@irenicast.com
Allen is a venerator of emotionality. He thrives on education, peace, and interconnectedness— passions which permeate his work as pastor, writer, lover of all the things, and occasional vegan.
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Rev. Bonnie Rambob, MDiv | co-host | bonnie@irenicast.com
As a pastor, activist, educator, mom, and possibility artist, Bonnie invites people into newness. She loves climbing trees, knitting and hiking while conversing with friends about smashing the patriarchy.
You can connect with Bonnie on Facebook and at Parkside Community Church-UCC
Pastor Casey Tinnin, MTS | co-host | casey@irenicast.com
Preacher, protester, everybody’s pastor. Casey geeks out on comic books, talking theology, politics, and sex. He’s most free when he is dancing, cooking with his partner Jose, or walking their dog Kole.
You can follow Casey on Twitter and Facebook, or you can check out his blog The Queerly Faithful Pastor or loomisucc.org
Jeff Manildi | co-founder, producer & co-host | jeff@irenicast.com
Chaser of tales and climax initiator, Jeff rises to the occasion, edging to a satisfying completion. Get your mind out of the gutter, we’re talking story, not sex. Jeff expresses his creativity by curating diverse ideas, energies and people.
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Rev. Rajeev Rambob, MCL | co-host | raj@irenicast.com
Rajeev loves thoughtful and provocative conversation over food and drink, most often with his family. He’s a loyal, smart-ass friend who believes in the power of spiritual journeys. Feminist, Anti-colonial, Process Theology-nerd.
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CREDITS
Intro and Outro music created by Mike Golin.
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