In the Beginning was Information

Fullness of ideas: The English Bible (KJV) contains 783,173words, a number which is fairly limited, but the scope of its ideasis unbounded. In exceptional cases one might read a secular booktwo or three times, and then its contents will be fully known. Butthe Bible is inexhaustible, and even at a hundredth reading newideas and relationships are revealed. After many years of intensiveBible study Spurgeon testified [S10]: “The copiousness of God’sWord is just as unbounded as its comprehensiveness. During theforty years of my own ministry I have merely touched the hem ofthe garment of divine truth, but what power flowed out from it!The Word resembles its Originator: boundless, immeasurable andinfinite. If it were your task to preach throughout eternity, youwould always find a theme on whatever topic may be required.”Inexhaustible: The semantic wealth of the Bible is so great that nohuman life is long enough to deplete it. There is, however, a unifyingthread which keeps everything together.4. Pragmatics: If the recipient (man) breaks off the messagereceived from the Sender (God) at the semantic level, then the purposeintended by God will be missed. The goal of the informationin the Bible is that man should be moved to action. Jesus placed anextremely high premium on this aspect of information: “Thereforeeveryone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceis like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew7:24). When deeds are not forthcoming, the Word becomes a judgment.This aspect is expounded in the parable of the ten “minas”(talents), where Jesus gave the unambiguous command: “Put thismoney to work ... until I come back ”(Luke 19:13). The obedientservants were amply rewarded; He said to the first one: “Welldone, my good servant! ... Because you have been trustworthy in avery small matter, take charge of ten cities” (Luke 19:17). The onewho did nothing, was condemned: “I will judge you by your ownwords, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hardman, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did notsow?” (Luke 19:22). Our deeds are judged by God (Revelation20:12), and according to Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus will distinguishbetween two groups of people only: those who acted, and thosewho did nothing. The first group were invited into heaven: “Come,you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the king-145