5.2 What Is Information? The Biblical View (OB18)

The aspects of information that we studied above are also found in the Bible:

1. Code is based on mutual agreement (the syntactic aspect): Any code depends on a free and volitional agreement whereby different sets of symbols are made to correspond with one another, or single symbols are given a meaning. This underlies all types of codes (e.g., hieroglyphics, Morse code, various alphabets, and EDP codes). The Bible tells of symbolic meanings set up by God. The mark given to Cain was a sign of protection (Gen. 4:15). After the Flood, the rainbow was designated as a sign of the covenant that God made with Noah: “Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life” (Gen. 9:15). The blood on the doorframes of the Israelites in Egypt was also a sign to protect the firstborn from death (Exod. 12:13). The bread and the wine taken at holy communion are signs of remembrance of the death of Jesus, and of the consequent salvation of believers.
2. Language as carrier of meaning (semantic aspect): The transfer of information is identical to the communication of meaningful content. For this purpose, a suitable language is required. This holds for all technical, biological, or communicative information. This is clearly expressed in 1 Corinthians 14:10–11: “Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.”
3. Information requires action (pragmatic aspect): “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24).
4. Information sets an aim (apobetical aspect): “. . . whoever hears my word [semantics] and believes him who sent me [pragmatic], has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life [teleological aspect]” (John 5:24).