A Rice Professor's Faith, Breakthroughs, and Barriers

>> Uh years ago, 25 years ago, we were >> Uh years ago, 25 years ago, we were working on building a molecular what we working on building a molecular what we working on building a molecular what we we called a a a synthetic brain. And I we called a a a synthetic brain. And I we called a a a synthetic brain. And I proposed it to DARPA to build a proposed it to DARPA to build a proposed it to DARPA to build a synthetic brain. And they said, "Well, synthetic brain. And they said, "Well, synthetic brain. And they said, "Well, don't don't don't call it a synthetic don't don't don't call it a synthetic don't don't don't call it a synthetic brain. It'll It'll get a lot of bad brain. It'll It'll get a lot of bad brain. It'll It'll get a lot of bad press." And so we called it a molecular press." And so we called it a molecular press." And so we called it a molecular computer. computer. computer. But then they later on they had a But then they later on they had a But then they later on they had a synthetic brain project. But synthetic brain project. But synthetic brain project. But we had this disordered array of we had this disordered array of we had this disordered array of molecules and we had to program it to do molecules and we had to program it to do molecules and we had to program it to do something useful. So with a computer something useful. So with a computer something useful. So with a computer chip you know where every device is. chip you know where every device is. chip you know where every device is. Every device it is where where that is Every device it is where where that is Every device it is where where that is and and you have to know all the working and and you have to know all the working and and you have to know all the working devices devices devices to be able to use it. But here we had to be able to use it. But here we had to be able to use it. But here we had this disordered array of of trillions this disordered array of of trillions this disordered array of of trillions and trillions of molecules. You could and trillions of molecules. You could and trillions of molecules. You could never keep track of them. We didn't know never keep track of them. We didn't know never keep track of them. We didn't know their exact connection pattern between their exact connection pattern between their exact connection pattern between them. them. them. But we wanted to program it. But we wanted to program it. But we wanted to program it. And so so And so so And so so in trying to program it I presented this in trying to program it I presented this in trying to program it I presented this problem to my colleagues in the computer problem to my colleagues in the computer problem to my colleagues in the computer science department trying to to solicit science department trying to to solicit science department trying to to solicit some help in getting this program.

some help in getting this program. some help in getting this program. And they told me, "You know, this has And they told me, "You know, this has And they told me, "You know, this has got a series of of what what are called got a series of of what what are called got a series of of what what are called non-linear differential equations would non-linear differential equations would non-linear differential equations would have to be be solved in this. And this have to be be solved in this. And this have to be be solved in this. And this would not not be solvable like this." would not not be solvable like this." would not not be solvable like this." And so I prayed and then there was there And so I prayed and then there was there And so I prayed and then there was there was this uh was this uh was this uh this really smart young couple that was this really smart young couple that was this really smart young couple that was in the applied mathematics department. in the applied mathematics department. in the applied mathematics department. Applied math uses computers a lot a lot Applied math uses computers a lot a lot Applied math uses computers a lot a lot of programming. And they were going to of programming. And they were going to of programming. And they were going to leave the university and go and work for leave the university and go and work for leave the university and go and work for Microsoft. They had an offer from Microsoft. They had an offer from Microsoft. They had an offer from Microsoft. And I heard they were going Microsoft. And I heard they were going Microsoft. And I heard they were going to leave with a master's and not do to leave with a master's and not do to leave with a master's and not do their PhD. And they It turns out they their PhD. And they It turns out they their PhD. And they It turns out they went to the same church that I went to. went to the same church that I went to. went to the same church that I went to. So I went to their house and I I begged So I went to their house and I I begged So I went to their house and I I begged them to come and work for me. I said, them to come and work for me. I said, them to come and work for me. I said, "You know, we I got this this molecular "You know, we I got this this molecular "You know, we I got this this molecular computer problem. computer problem. computer problem. And uh And uh And uh we really want to get this thing solved. we really want to get this thing solved. we really want to get this thing solved. And and the the the young man was was And and the the the young man was was And and the the the young man was was just amazing. Just absolutely amazing in just amazing. Just absolutely amazing in just amazing. Just absolutely amazing in what he could do. what he could do. what he could do. And uh And uh And uh he said to me, "You know, I've I've I've he said to me, "You know, I've I've I've he said to me, "You know, I've I've I've prayed. I I really felt God telling me prayed. I I really felt God telling me prayed. I I really felt God telling me to go work for Microsoft." I said, to go work for Microsoft." I said, to go work for Microsoft." I said, "Well, if God told you to work for "Well, if God told you to work for "Well, if God told you to work for Microsoft, Microsoft, Microsoft, I I can't do anything. You better do I I can't do anything. You better do I I can't do anything. You better do what God told you to do. But I'll tell what God told you to do. But I'll tell what God told you to do. But I'll tell you, in my life, I've never heard God you, in my life, I've never heard God you, in my life, I've never heard God that clearly on any subject. But if you that clearly on any subject. But if you that clearly on any subject. But if you tell me he said to you go work for tell me he said to you go work for tell me he said to you go work for Microsoft, you go work for Microsoft."

Microsoft, you go work for Microsoft." Microsoft, you go work for Microsoft." The next day he called me. He says, The next day he called me. He says, The next day he called me. He says, "I'll come and work for you." So "I'll come and work for you." So "I'll come and work for you." So So [laughter] he he and his wife came to So [laughter] he he and his wife came to So [laughter] he he and his wife came to work for me, and his wife was great work for me, and his wife was great work for me, and his wife was great because she could take all the he he did because she could take all the he he did because she could take all the he he did he didn't know how to explain what he he didn't know how to explain what he he didn't know how to explain what he did to anybody. He could get things did to anybody. He could get things did to anybody. He could get things solved, but he didn't know how to how to solved, but he didn't know how to how to solved, but he didn't know how to how to explain it. And she would put it in in explain it. And she would put it in in explain it. And she would put it in in normal normal code that other people normal normal code that other people normal normal code that other people could could understand, and and she'd could could understand, and and she'd could could understand, and and she'd explain it to people and write the explain it to people and write the explain it to people and write the papers. And so they were amazing papers. And so they were amazing papers. And so they were amazing combination. And we we solved that that combination. And we we solved that that combination. And we we solved that that uh uh uh that that programming problem. And it that that programming problem. And it that that programming problem. And it was at that time that I was given an was at that time that I was given an was at that time that I was given an appointment in computer science. So it's appointment in computer science. So it's appointment in computer science. So it's not that I'm a great computer scientist. not that I'm a great computer scientist. not that I'm a great computer scientist. It's just that we solved a a a a It's just that we solved a a a a It's just that we solved a a a a major problem that was there. And I give major problem that was there. And I give major problem that was there. And I give the credit to those students who very the credit to those students who very the credit to those students who very much were were were love the Lord. And much were were were love the Lord. And much were were were love the Lord. And And And so ultimately the credit's with And And so ultimately the credit's with And And so ultimately the credit's with God. But But it wasn't even me that God. But But it wasn't even me that God. But But it wasn't even me that wrote the code. So I I got that wrote the code. So I I got that wrote the code. So I I got that appointment in that subject through appointment in that subject through appointment in that subject through that. that. that. >> If you do not believe in the physical >> If you do not believe in the physical >> If you do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus [music] Christ, resurrection of Jesus [music] Christ, resurrection of Jesus [music] Christ, send me an email [email protected], send me an email [email protected], send me an email [email protected], [music] [music] [music] and we will get together, and I will and we will get together, and I will and we will get together, and I will share with you about why I embrace the share with you about why I embrace the share with you about why I embrace the resurrection of Jesus.

resurrection of Jesus. resurrection of Jesus. >> Now, I think we'll see university setups >> Now, I think we'll see university setups >> Now, I think we'll see university setups as uh bastions of liberalism. I think is as uh bastions of liberalism. I think is as uh bastions of liberalism. I think is isn't it 16 to one liberal versus isn't it 16 to one liberal versus isn't it 16 to one liberal versus conservative professorships in general. conservative professorships in general. conservative professorships in general. So, So, So, it's a tough environment as a follower it's a tough environment as a follower it's a tough environment as a follower of Jesus. of Jesus. of Jesus. Have you seen any fruit with your Have you seen any fruit with your Have you seen any fruit with your colleagues? How are you perceived by colleagues? How are you perceived by colleagues? How are you perceived by your colleagues? Because they clearly your colleagues? Because they clearly your colleagues? Because they clearly can't deny the results of your can't deny the results of your can't deny the results of your excellence and and output. But how Yeah, excellence and and output. But how Yeah, excellence and and output. But how Yeah, I'm interested in in that what that I'm interested in in that what that I'm interested in in that what that looks like. looks like. looks like. >> I have this theory that if you speak up >> I have this theory that if you speak up >> I have this theory that if you speak up a little bit about Jesus in the academy, a little bit about Jesus in the academy, a little bit about Jesus in the academy, in the university, in the university, in the university, people are going to come against you. people are going to come against you. people are going to come against you. But if you speak up a lot, they leave But if you speak up a lot, they leave But if you speak up a lot, they leave you alone. They don't want to get you you alone. They don't want to get you you alone. They don't want to get you started. And so started. And so started. And so >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> you know, few will challenge me. >> you know, few will challenge me. >> you know, few will challenge me. And and they really don't want to get me And and they really don't want to get me And and they really don't want to get me started. When I first came to Rice started. When I first came to Rice started. When I first came to Rice University, University, University, I'd done 11 years at the University of I'd done 11 years at the University of I'd done 11 years at the University of South Carolina on the faculty there and South Carolina on the faculty there and South Carolina on the faculty there and then I moved to Rice University as a then I moved to Rice University as a then I moved to Rice University as a chaired professor chaired professor chaired professor in 1999. And and some people used to in 1999. And and some people used to in 1999. And and some people used to make some comments about me. Students make some comments about me. Students make some comments about me. Students would tell me and I would say, "Okay, would tell me and I would say, "Okay, would tell me and I would say, "Okay, I'll I'll be glad to meet with that I'll I'll be glad to meet with that I'll I'll be glad to meet with that professor. We'll go toe-to-toe. They can professor. We'll go toe-to-toe. They can professor. We'll go toe-to-toe. They can tell me what their problem is with me."

tell me what their problem is with me." tell me what their problem is with me." And and and then they they they started And and and then they they they started And and and then they they they started backing off. Nobody wanted to go through backing off. Nobody wanted to go through backing off. Nobody wanted to go through that. And so when you talk up a a lot, that. And so when you talk up a a lot, that. And so when you talk up a a lot, they they just don't want to get you they they just don't want to get you they they just don't want to get you started. Now, started. Now, started. Now, how do they perceive me? I I think they how do they perceive me? I I think they how do they perceive me? I I think they perceive me in in in a in a bifurcated perceive me in in in a in a bifurcated perceive me in in in a in a bifurcated way. I think they really respect what way. I think they really respect what way. I think they really respect what I've accomplished and what I've done and I've accomplished and what I've done and I've accomplished and what I've done and the things that I've done. the things that I've done. the things that I've done. But on the other side, they But on the other side, they But on the other side, they I'm a I'm an odd entity to them. I'm a I'm an odd entity to them. I'm a I'm an odd entity to them. As Paul said, as the scripture say, we As Paul said, as the scripture say, we As Paul said, as the scripture say, we are the scriptures tell us that we are a are the scriptures tell us that we are a are the scriptures tell us that we are a peculiar people. peculiar people. peculiar people. That I would be such a person of faith. That I would be such a person of faith. That I would be such a person of faith. But again, it's rare that they they will But again, it's rare that they they will But again, it's rare that they they will challenge me on that. I've had challenge me on that. I've had challenge me on that. I've had colleagues come to the Lord on several colleagues come to the Lord on several colleagues come to the Lord on several occasions. One of them, Rick Smalley, occasions. One of them, Rick Smalley, occasions. One of them, Rick Smalley, who is a Nobel Prize winner, who is the who is a Nobel Prize winner, who is the who is a Nobel Prize winner, who is the discoverer discoverer of C60, discoverer discoverer of C60, discoverer discoverer of C60, Buckminster fullerene, one of the the Buckminster fullerene, one of the the Buckminster fullerene, one of the the fathers of nanotechnology. fathers of nanotechnology. fathers of nanotechnology. And uh he recruited me to Rice And uh he recruited me to Rice And uh he recruited me to Rice University. Used to uh uh University. Used to uh uh University. Used to uh uh make jokes about in my faith and and uh make jokes about in my faith and and uh make jokes about in my faith and and uh um uh not just about Judaism. He'd make um uh not just about Judaism. He'd make um uh not just about Judaism. He'd make jokes, but he'd make jokes about my my jokes, but he'd make jokes about my my jokes, but he'd make jokes about my my loving Jesus and things like that.

loving Jesus and things like that. loving Jesus and things like that. Uh but there came a point in his life Uh but there came a point in his life Uh but there came a point in his life where he saw something. where he saw something. where he saw something. Mhm. And uh Mhm. And uh Mhm. And uh he finally asked me, said, "Jim, he finally asked me, said, "Jim, he finally asked me, said, "Jim, how is it that you have this research how is it that you have this research how is it that you have this research group, this big research group, and that group, this big research group, and that group, this big research group, and that everyone in the group seems so happy, everyone in the group seems so happy, everyone in the group seems so happy, and they all like you?" Mhm. And uh uh and they all like you?" Mhm. And uh uh and they all like you?" Mhm. And uh uh he said, "What's going on here?" he said, "What's going on here?" he said, "What's going on here?" And uh um And uh um And uh um then he said to me, he said, "You know, then he said to me, he said, "You know, then he said to me, he said, "You know, I'd like to understand the power behind I'd like to understand the power behind I'd like to understand the power behind Jesus Christ." Wow. So I said, "Okay, Jesus Christ." Wow. So I said, "Okay, Jesus Christ." Wow. So I said, "Okay, let's go to lunch." And so we went to let's go to lunch." And so we went to let's go to lunch." And so we went to the lunch in the faculty club, the lunch in the faculty club, the lunch in the faculty club, and we were sitting there, and I was and we were sitting there, and I was and we were sitting there, and I was talking to him about Jesus and the talking to him about Jesus and the talking to him about Jesus and the resurrection and the president of the resurrection and the president of the resurrection and the president of the university at the time, his name was university at the time, his name was university at the time, his name was Malcolm Gillis. He would go to the Malcolm Gillis. He would go to the Malcolm Gillis. He would go to the faculty club, grab his plate on the faculty club, grab his plate on the faculty club, grab his plate on the buffet line, and then he'd just walk out buffet line, and then he'd just walk out buffet line, and then he'd just walk out among the faculty and just among the faculty and just among the faculty and just say, "Hey, can I join you?" And he you say, "Hey, can I join you?" And he you say, "Hey, can I join you?" And he you know, that's how he would touch the know, that's how he would touch the know, that's how he would touch the masses of us. masses of us. masses of us. And and he came up to our table, and he And and he came up to our table, and he And and he came up to our table, and he says, "Hey, can I join you?" And Rick, says, "Hey, can I join you?" And Rick, says, "Hey, can I join you?" And Rick, the Nobel Prize winner, said, "Sure, the Nobel Prize winner, said, "Sure, the Nobel Prize winner, said, "Sure, join us. We're talking about the power join us. We're talking about the power join us. We're talking about the power behind Jesus Christ."

behind Jesus Christ." behind Jesus Christ." And the president said, "I want to hear And the president said, "I want to hear And the president said, "I want to hear that." And he pulled up a chair and sat that." And he pulled up a chair and sat that." And he pulled up a chair and sat with us. And so it you know, and and and with us. And so it you know, and and and with us. And so it you know, and and and then you know, I I was able to share then you know, I I was able to share then you know, I I was able to share with the president as well, and and uh with the president as well, and and uh with the president as well, and and uh it was about 6 months after that that it was about 6 months after that that it was about 6 months after that that Rick gave his life to the Lord, not Rick gave his life to the Lord, not Rick gave his life to the Lord, not solely because of my witness, but solely because of my witness, but solely because of my witness, but because of other people's witness as because of other people's witness as because of other people's witness as well. well. well. Uh and uh uh from the woman who was Uh and uh uh from the woman who was Uh and uh uh from the woman who was later going to become his wife, Debbie later going to become his wife, Debbie later going to become his wife, Debbie Smalley. Smalley. Smalley. And uh so the witness of several people. And uh so the witness of several people. And uh so the witness of several people. But uh um uh has there been pushback? But uh um uh has there been pushback? But uh um uh has there been pushback? Absolutely. I mean, there's There's Absolutely. I mean, there's There's Absolutely. I mean, there's There's certain uh uh societies that I cannot certain uh uh societies that I cannot certain uh uh societies that I cannot get into. I mean they've told me in get into. I mean they've told me in get into. I mean they've told me in in direct terms that they won't put me in direct terms that they won't put me in direct terms that they won't put me up for the National Academy of Science. up for the National Academy of Science. up for the National Academy of Science. Even though I've done twice as much as Even though I've done twice as much as Even though I've done twice as much as those getting in. This was in 2006. They those getting in. This was in 2006. They those getting in. This was in 2006. They said I had accomplished twice as much as said I had accomplished twice as much as said I had accomplished twice as much as those getting in, but they'd never put those getting in, but they'd never put those getting in, but they'd never put me up for it. Because because me up for it. Because because me up for it. Because because I don't buy into Darwinian evolution. I don't buy into Darwinian evolution. I don't buy into Darwinian evolution. And and I'm vocal about that. And so And and I'm vocal about that. And so And and I'm vocal about that. And so they they wouldn't put me up. Now I am they they wouldn't put me up. Now I am they they wouldn't put me up. Now I am in the National Academy of Engineering.

in the National Academy of Engineering. in the National Academy of Engineering. The engineers didn't seem to have minded The engineers didn't seem to have minded The engineers didn't seem to have minded as much, but the scientists mind. So as much, but the scientists mind. So as much, but the scientists mind. So yeah, there are things that I do do not yeah, there are things that I do do not yeah, there are things that I do do not get into. There are certain appointments get into. There are certain appointments get into. There are certain appointments that I can't I am not put up for because that I can't I am not put up for because that I can't I am not put up for because of this. of this. of this. I have had I've had two I have had I've had two I have had I've had two two program officers from two different two program officers from two different two program officers from two different federal agencies tell me that I could federal agencies tell me that I could federal agencies tell me that I could stop trying to apply for funding to stop trying to apply for funding to stop trying to apply for funding to those programs because I have been those programs because I have been those programs because I have been excluded from those programs because of excluded from those programs because of excluded from those programs because of my positions on origin of life and my positions on origin of life and my positions on origin of life and evolution. evolution. evolution. And And And and because of my local witness my my and because of my local witness my my and because of my local witness my my vocal witness for the faith. But again, vocal witness for the faith. But again, vocal witness for the faith. But again, this is this is this is child's play. Um this is this is this is child's play. Um this is this is this is child's play. Um As as as far as persecution goes. As as as far as persecution goes. As as as far as persecution goes. Remember the Bible doesn't call that Remember the Bible doesn't call that Remember the Bible doesn't call that persecution. You got to shed blood persecution. You got to shed blood persecution. You got to shed blood to to to be persecuted. So compared to to to to be persecuted. So compared to to to to be persecuted. So compared to what my brothers and sisters around the what my brothers and sisters around the what my brothers and sisters around the world go through in places like world go through in places like world go through in places like Pakistan. Pakistan. Pakistan. And in places like like like And in places like like like And in places like like like North Africa. Compared to what they go North Africa. Compared to what they go North Africa. Compared to what they go through, this is really child's play.

through, this is really child's play. through, this is really child's play. Oh, somebody said something that hurt my Oh, somebody said something that hurt my Oh, somebody said something that hurt my feelings. Big whoop. You know, I get feelings. Big whoop. You know, I get feelings. Big whoop. You know, I get over that and I I come back in the next over that and I I come back in the next over that and I I come back in the next day and I don't fear for my life. And day and I don't fear for my life. And day and I don't fear for my life. And and so and so and so whatever I've gone through is is is is whatever I've gone through is is is is whatever I've gone through is is is is really childish compared to what my really childish compared to what my really childish compared to what my brothers and sisters around the world brothers and sisters around the world brothers and sisters around the world are currently going through and have are currently going through and have are currently going through and have gone [music] through in the past. Thank gone [music] through in the past. Thank gone [music] through in the past. Thank you for joining me today. If you could you for joining me today. If you could you for joining me today. If you could give us a like, share, or podcast give us a like, share, or podcast give us a like, share, or podcast review, we would [music] appreciate it. review, we would [music] appreciate it. review, we would [music] appreciate it. If you have any questions, you could If you have any questions, you could If you have any questions, you could send them to [email protected] send them to [email protected] send them to [email protected] [music] [music] [music] and we'll try to answer some of those and we'll try to answer some of those and we'll try to answer some of those questions in an upcoming video. [music] questions in an upcoming video. [music] questions in an upcoming video. [music] And if you do not believe in the And if you do not believe in the And if you do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ physical resurrection of Jesus Christ physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and you want to hear about why I [music] and you want to hear about why I [music] and you want to hear about why I [music] believe, send me an email to believe, send me an email to believe, send me an email to [email protected] and [music] we'll get together by Zoom and [music] we'll get together by Zoom and I'll share with you why I embrace and I'll share with you why I embrace and I'll share with you why I embrace the resurrection of Jesus Christ.