7 Powerful Laws of Information Every Christian Must Know

Scientific Laws of Information and Their Implications

In this article, we will explore the laws of nature that govern information and their implications for understanding the origin of biological information. The grand theory of atheistic evolution posits that all information, including biological information, can arise solely from matter and energy without the involvement of an intelligent source. However, observations of the nature of information lead us to deduce fundamental laws that contradict this claim. These laws show that information cannot be generated by material processes alone and point to the conscious, wilful action of a creator as the origin of biological information.

Key Point 1: What is a Law of Nature?

A law of nature is a statement about the observable world that has been consistently and repeatedly confirmed as universally true. It describes events, phenomena, and occurrences that consistently take place. Laws of nature are unchanging in time and can determine whether a process is possible or not. They exist independently of their discovery and formulation and can be successfully applied to unknown situations. Laws of nature enjoy the highest level of confidence in science.

Key Point 2: What is Information?

Information is a non-material entity that is not a property of matter. It is represented as encoded, symbolically represented messages that convey expected action and intended purpose. Information arises through the will and intention of a sender. It can be deliberately increased, distorted, or destroyed. To fully characterize the concept of information, five levels must be considered: statistics, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and apobetics.

• Statistics involves analyzing the statistical aspects of information such as the frequency of occurrence of symbols or words.
• Syntax encompasses the structural characteristics of how symbols are combined to form valid expressions according to predetermined rules.
• Semantics refers to the meaning conveyed by the symbols and their combinations.
• Pragmatics focuses on the action or expected result intended by the sender of the information.
• Apobetics pertains to the goal or desired outcome of the information.

We can formulate laws of nature that govern non-material entities, including information. These laws have similar attributes to laws that describe material entities. Four important laws of information can be derived from observations:

1. SLI-1: A material entity cannot generate a non-material entity. In our experience, we never observe a purely material entity giving rise to something non-material. Therefore, universal information, being non-material, cannot arise from purely material processes.
2. SLI-2: Universal information is a non-material fundamental entity. Information is massless and does not have physical or chemical interactions with matter. It is not a property of matter but can be stored, transmitted, and expressed through matter and energy.
3. SLI-3: Universal information cannot be created by statistical processes. Despite extensive efforts, no empirical evidence supports the claim that information can arise from matter left to itself without the addition of intelligence.
4. SLI-4: Universal information can only be produced by an intelligent sender. Information always requires an intelligent sender who possesses consciousness, will, creativity, autonomous thinking, and purposeful action.

Why This Matters

Understanding the laws of information has profound implications for the theory of evolution and our understanding of the origin of biological information. These laws exclude the possibility that information can arise purely from matter and energy without reference to an intelligent agent. Instead, they point to a conscious, wilful creator as the source of biological information.

Think About It

Consider the implications of these laws for your worldview and understanding of the origin of life. How do they align with your beliefs about the nature of information and its ultimate source? How might these laws challenge prevailing scientific paradigms?

By comprehending the laws of information, we gain insight into the fundamental nature of information and its origin. These laws provide a strong foundation for attributing the origin of biological information to an intelligent creator. The complexity and sophistication of biological information surpass humanly generated information, pointing to a designer beyond our understanding. It is important to recognize that living systems exhibit the highest known information density and possess programs that are far more advanced than any human creations.

Key Point 4: Definition of Universal Information

To define universal information more precisely, we establish a set of criteria that must be met for a system to be considered as exhibiting information:

• Statistics: The system must exhibit statistical characteristics such as the frequency of symbols or words.
• Syntax: The system must follow predetermined rules for combining symbols.
• Semantics: The system must convey meaning through the symbols and their combinations.
• Pragmatics: The system must invite action or produce an expected result in the receiver.
• Apobetics: The system must have a goal or desired outcome intended by the sender.

Meeting these criteria ensures that the system falls within the domain of our definition of information, and the laws of nature about information can be applied.

Key Point 5: Scientific Laws of Information (SLI)

The four laws of nature about information (SLI) provide a framework for understanding the origin and nature of information:

1. SLI-1: A material entity cannot generate a non-material entity.
2. SLI-2: Universal information is a non-material fundamental entity.
3. SLI-3: Universal information cannot be created by statistical processes.
4. SLI-4: Universal information can only be produced by an intelligent sender.

These laws challenge the claim that macro-evolutionary processes can generate biological information without the involvement of an intelligent source.

Key Point 6: Implications and Attribution

The laws of information have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the origin of biological information. They exclude the possibility that information can arise solely from matter and energy without the involvement of an intelligent agent. Instead, these laws provide positive grounds for attributing the origin of biological information to the conscious, wilful action of a creator.

Recognizing the implications of these laws challenges prevailing scientific paradigms and invites a reconsideration of the role of intelligence in the origin and development of life. It raises important philosophical and theological questions about the nature of information and its ultimate source.

Think About It

Reflect on how these laws of information align with your beliefs about the origin of life and the existence of a creator. Consider the implications for our understanding of the complexity and sophistication of biological systems. How might these laws shape your perspective on evolution and creation?

By understanding the laws of information, we gain insight into the fundamental principles that govern the origin and nature of information. These laws highlight the inadequacy of atheistic evolution in accounting for the most fundamental biological phenomenon—the origin of biological information. Instead, they point to a conscious, wilful creator as the source of information in living systems.

Key Point 7: The Distinction Between Material and Non-Material Entities

The materialistic worldview prevalent in science often limits our perception to purely material quantities, neglecting non-material concepts such as information, consciousness, intelligence, and will. However, our world encompasses both material and non-material realms. While physical laws describe material entities, there are also laws that govern non-material entities.

Information is a non-material entity that arises through will and intention. It requires a conscious sender who issues the information. Although information relies on matter for storage and transmission, it is not a property of matter itself. Rather, it is an abstract representation of something different.

Understanding the non-material nature of information challenges a strictly materialistic worldview and opens up new avenues for exploring the nature of reality. It invites deeper reflection on the role of consciousness, intelligence, and will in the origin and functioning of the universe.

Think About It

Consider how the non-material nature of information aligns with your understanding of the world. Reflect on the implications for our perception of reality and the significance of consciousness in shaping our understanding of the universe.

Recognizing the non-material nature of information expands our worldview beyond purely materialistic explanations. It encourages us to explore the role of consciousness, intelligence, and will in understanding the mysteries of existence.

In conclusion, the laws of information provide a powerful framework for understanding the origin and nature of information. These laws challenge the claim that information can arise purely from matter and energy without reference to an intelligent agent. Instead, they point to a conscious, wilful creator as the source of information in biological systems. Understanding these laws invites us to explore deeper questions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and our place in the universe.