In the Beginning was Information

15 The Quantities Used for EvaluatingInformation and Their Applicationto the BibleIn Chapter 10 six measures for quantitatively evaluating information(especially its semantics) were identified, namely semantic quality,relevance, timeliness, accessibility, existence, and comprehensibility.Let us now investigate the role of these parameters in the Bible.1. Semantic quality q: The special semantic quality of the Bibleis characterised as follows:– It is divine: “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLord” (Jeremiah 7:1). “I want you to know, brothers, that thegospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did notreceive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received itby revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).– It is true: “O Sovereign LORD, You are God! Your words aretrustworthy” (2 Samuel 7:28). “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).– It comprises the message of man’s salvation: “And you alsowere included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, thegospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13).2. Relevance r: The message of the Bible is important for eachand every person, because God’s judgement is the same for everybody:“For no one living is righteous” (Psalm 143:2); “all havesinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Even so,God has provided one way of salvation for everybody through hisSon Jesus: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no othername under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12). Numerous other passages point in the same direction,e. g: John 3:16, John 3:18, John 14:6, 1 John 5:12. Our profit ismaximised when we correctly estimate the relevance. The attitudeof the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:4-9) and the Philadelphians(Revelation 3:7-11) is highly commended in this respect.The Bible very explicitly warns against an erroneous evaluation ofits relevance, because then one will suffer the greatest possible158