Science as a functional system belongs to the building blocks of modern democracies, highlighting the crucial relevance of public trust in science. Previous research has increasingly discussed (an assumed decline in) public trust in science despite lacking empirical proof and insufficient theoretical considerations. This paper aims to present a theoretical approach to structure empirical research from the users’ perspective and derive implications for science communication practice. Based on sociological theories and in light of empirical science communication research, three sets of polarity are introduced that define the preconditions for public trust in science in contrast to other related concepts. For trust in science, the public needs a mixture of (1) knowledge and ignorance and (2) risk perception and security perception. The perceived relationship between science and the public should further be situated between (3) distance and proximity. For each precondition, the role of digital science communication is discussed.