PRESERVING AND PROLIFERATING THE TRUTH
DNA AND THE WORD OF GOD
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. – Isaiah 40:8
We are bathed in the information age. Ideas are in storage and movement all around us, encoded in the language of ones and zeroes, eventually expressed as music, images, and words. Interestingly, despite all the pixels, paper, and iPods, information itself is nonmaterial, originating in the human mind—itself created by the mind of the One before all things. John 1:1 tells us “In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” and John goes on to quote Jesus’ claim “I am…the truth…” (John 14:6).
Information ranges from trivial data and patterns to meaningful principles and directives. Information that reflects reality is what we call “truth.” To deny truth is to deny reality, whereas to accept Christ fully is to realize truth, which is to say, to accept reality. How is this acceptance accomplished? Although a person must exercise his or her will, that person must have encountered reality first:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” - Romans 10:14-18
We see here from the reference to Psalm 19 that the primary hearing of the Word is the creation itself. Theologians call this “general revelation.” And yet Paul’s admonition in this passage, as in other Pauline writings, is that while individuals are ultimately responsible to respond to the gospel, they deserve another hearing, one from a proclamation of the Word—what theologians call “special revelation.”
So, although truth is reality, embodied in Christ and revealed in the creation, God chose to further elucidate the Word into words for mankind: “The entirety of Your word is truth…” (Psalm 119:60). “…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16).
What this means, however, is that the incorruptible, unchanging Christ, and all that He embodies, must be narrated though the corruptibility of human languages. How does God ensure that we get the message right? What guarantees that our Bible is indeed God’s Word, effectively preserved and proliferated?
To look at this question of the transmission of the greatest information, representing the greatest reality, I will examine the most densely-packed, functional informationa
l structure known to man: the DNA molecule.
In the last fifty years, scientists have made us aware that cells possess DNA, a collection of extremely long, tiny molecules, each structured as a twisted ladder, bearing an organism’s physical blueprint. And more so, in tandem with mRNA, tRNA, and other cellular workers, these not only provide instructions, but carry them out, building proteins necessary for growth and maintenance. The human genome, or DNA plan, involves 23 pairs of chromosomes (each a collection of information on one DNA molecule), holding a total of about 30,000 genes (distinct sets of instructions), comprised of three billion nucleotide bases (each like a letter in an alphabet of four possible letters). All this is duplicated in something near 100 trillion cells.
Regarding each nucleotide base as two bits of information (storing 22, or four possible states), this is like the storage of over three trillion terabytes of data. One terabyte hard drives have recently become available for media and backup purposes, and cost around $100—a real deal as they can hold hundreds of full-length movies! Yet the body’s memory is also dynamic, continually duplicating all this information in its replacement cells, at lightning speed, and usually without error.
Just as we might examine how the Scriptures can be reliable and effectual, we can examine why our own DNA is reliable and effectual. And though I don’t have the expertise to draw this analogy out completely, I can suggest some principles.
Redundancy
The entire collection of DNA information, we might think, needs not be present in every cell. After all, a cell is quite specialized, and requires only a small portion of this 
information to carry out its tasks. But it is all there. In the scholarship of historical texts, the practice of “textual criticism” relies on comparisons across multiple copies to ascertain the reliability of the original. The Bible towers above all other historical documents, with over 14,000 Old Testament manuscripts and fragments copied throughout various geographic regions, often by devoted scribes who went to unimaginable lengths to ensure accuracy. The New Testament boasts over 5,000 ancient manuscripts. By comparison, many of our Greek classics, seldom questioned as divergent from their original, are constructed from one dozen or fewer ancient copies. So, just as our bodies lack no reference for comparison, the Word of God has been divinely backed up.
The DNA code itself contains an inherent redundancy as well. I consider the German language as one example: The American Standard Version of the Bible states John 3:16 in 25 words and 110 characters, whereas a similar translation in German employs 27 words and 130 characters. The information is the same, but the coding different. A German scientific report, though perhaps even more tedious than a comparable English one, is less likely to be misunderstood, simply due to its structure. Similarly, when DNA has variations on a three-letter “word” that produce the same result, this is not necessarily an inefficiency, but a redundancy that allows for the “absorption” of error to some degree.
In addition to this, the DNA molecule is itself a duplicate, with “complementary pairs” that are essentially like a negative image. So the molecule contains identical information on each half, readable in both directions.
Likewise, the Bible is redundant when it articulates a single vital principle through historical accounts, proverbs (both negatively and positively), poems, prayers, laments, quoted teachings, law, and historical correspondence. This is not inefficiency, but resplendent redundancy. Indeed we have “Christ on every page” of Scripture. So why do some not get the message? If not for lack of exposure to these many facets, it is for lack of attributing authority to its unified message and its Messenger.
Replication
Before a cell can divide, whether as an informational “clone” such as in a body cell, or in order to share paternal and maternal information, as in a sex cell, DNA must replicate, or copy. In most textbook discussions regarding cell division, the mechanics of the copy reduction during mitosis (the re-splitting of duplicate DNA into two cells from one) are described in great detail, whereas the initial replication, just as remarkable, is often mentioned only in passing. As discussed previously, Scripture has thousands of ancient manuscripts to assist in the redundancy required for textual criticism. Yet today this multiplication continues, as the Bible has been reprinted in the billions, in thousands of languages. Gutenberg’s moveable-type printing press is still regarded by most experts as one of a handful of most-significant inventions of all time. Among those experts, many will admit that the reproduction of the Bible into common language is a powerful, effectual result of that invention. And today via the Internet, the number of electronic copies of the Word increases exponentially as the Bible is mirrored on servers and home computers worldwide.
Transcription
The word “transcription” (literally, to “copy across”) sounds a lot like replication, yet it is more specific. This is the transfer of one relatively small segment of DNA into a moveable copy, made available for a specific task without corrupting the original information. When we study a portion of Scripture, we are taking from it something of value—something that can be applied in our lives. We do not consume the entire Word at one sitting, as that would be too much for us to comprehend. And yet we should “transcribe” with sufficient context so as to take something with intended meaning, not merely something that we can make meaning of. It is not “what does it say to me?” but rather “what does it say?”
A beauty in God’s Word is that it speaks unchanging truth into diverse persons at different times. It is nourishment, “daily bread,” rather than a nauseating binge or dispassionate I-V to which we are hooked up. And, like the relatively short messenger RNA molecule (mRNA), it moves from the page in 
which is represents reality, to a place in which it is realized.
Translation
Though we use the word “translation” to refer to a language transfer, this is not the sense of the word in DNA science. Translation of language is part of the redundancy and replication of God’s Word, but I want to look at its other meaning here. Translation in DNA is the ultimate step, leading to “protein synthesis”: Messenger RNA, having accurately taken only the relevant portion of DNA for its task, goes on to work in concert with transfer RNA (tRNA) to adjoin particular amino acids in the correct sequence, so that a protein molecule can take shape and become part of the body at large.
What astounds me is that information molecules (DNA) store the blueprint, while similar, shortened information molecules (mRNA) contextualize and relocate only relevant portions of it, and further information molecules (tRNA) accomplish, and literally “flesh out” the purpose of that information, using the resources made available to the individual. The whole process is intelligent, purposeful, precise, and practical. And so with God’s word, what has been taken from Scripture is expressly for beneficial action. God’s Word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV), or as 2 Timothy 3:16 puts it, “profitable.”
Mutations
While neo-Darwinian evolutionists revere mutations as part of the very creative process, good science recognizes mutations for what they are: error. It cannot be emphasized enough that all lies and inaccurate representations of reality are built from (often mostly from) truth and reality. Satan began misrepresenting truth in the Garden, and his approach continues today. The mutations that occasionally plague DNA’s information flow are similar to the mutations that attempt to corrupt God’s Word. DNA is improperly replicated, transcribed, or translated when any of several types of errors make it through.
One type of error is “deletion.” The omission of a base causes a DNA segment to be read out of sync, like the phrase TODAY IS A GOOD DAY becoming TODAI SA G OODD AY, all because the Y dropped out, or perhaps becoming TODAY IS A DAY, which is true, but not the intended truth. Journalists know the power of “slanting” news by accurately reporting only selected details. This is why the whole gospel must be preached; if it is not complete, it is not the good news. An example of this is to speak of God’s grace and forgiveness, while ignoring his holiness and justice, or to embrace heaven while ignoring hell.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…. – Romans 1:18
A second type of error is “insertion.” As with deletion, insertion mutations in DNA shift the reading of information, such that each “word” becomes the nonsensical combination of two word portions. Extrabiblical information is a normal part of our lives, and it can be enriching to learn from sources outside of the Bible. But when those sources are regarded as a reference of truth on level with God’s Word (even when they contain God’s truth), this is corruption. This can be a subtle addition to a biblical principle, or in can be a more blatant addition of entire written works held up as “Scripture.” Works-based salvation is perhaps the most notable insertion error, having in some form or another made its way into all religions.
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6
Insertions and deletions are known together as “frame-shift” mutations. Yet a third type of DNA error is a “point shift” mutation, in which one base is simply changed. What begins as a small change can lead to serious repercussions in how a protein molecule folds and takes shape. Similarly, it is remarkable how a single word change in certain biblical passages can have large ramifications for the passage’s meaning. So we should beware of relying solely on paraphrased Bible versions, and especially of so-called translations such as the New World Translation, containing a cult’s intentional, small changes to de-deify Christ.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…. – Romans 1:25
A fourth type of error is an “inversion” mutation, in which the DNA segment, small or large, is reversed. A sentence printed in reverse loses its informational value. Though we might be hard-pressed to find an example of someone corrupting truth by presenting it backwards, we certainly do find those that make a confusing mess of God’s word, using it liberally but making its message incoherent. There is a logical and historical flow to the canon of Scripture: The sequence of the Creation account itself, or the unfolding of God’s actions throughout history, or the fulfillment of biblical prophecy can become confused if seen as a helter-skelter, allegorical collection of unrelated ideas.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20
Despite the myriad of ways in which DNA can be corrupted, its inherent redundancy and its method of operation ensure that mutations seldom endure. For the one who ascribes authority to God’s Word, there is confidence not only that God’s Word is truth, but that it endures, and is effectual. The Word of God can speak for itself, and as we frequently find, it interprets itself. We would do well to 1) hold the Bible up as the ultimate authority, 2) submerge ourselves in its entirety, 3) cross-reference its truths one to another, and 4) submit to its translational work, as it “fleshes out” Christ in our lives.
© 2010 Chard Berndt.
All Scriptures NKJV unless indicated otherwise.
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