The “Information Age” has been upon us for many years now. The use of telecommunications and the internet have certainly revolutionized our world, and have sped the flow of information and knowledge. Futurist Alvin Toffler called it the latest wave of “profound change” – change to an “information based” economy. Now, with Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and the spread of “smart devices” (the “Internet of Things”) promising even more “profound change” people are talking about an “Intelligence Age”, an “Experience Age”, or even an “Age of Reckoning”. As it says in the Bible, “O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4).
Modern mankind is distracted by so many things, and in this age is tempted to think he can substitute the knowledge of information and intelligence in general for true wisdom and knowledge. Yet there is a difference between “information” and “wisdom” – and between “spiritual knowledge” and “knowledge” in general. One can imbibe all kinds of information these days, but frankly much of it is non-essential, trivial, misinformation, disinformation, or “fake news”. It will never replace knowledge and wisdom manifested as good judgment, insight, and understanding. Information, in and of itself, does not bring “life”.
The kind of knowledge and wisdom extolled by the Bible (e.g., “…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge…” 2 Peter 1:5) is the kind that allows us to see life from God’s perspective, and not just observe it apart from Him. It must be preceded by faith and virtue. The multimedia available today may be more capable of dispensing information than the limited media of movable type and the printing press which resulted in the first information revolution during the 16th century. But that first information age was utilized by printing houses to print Bibles, the best-selling book year after year for all time. It was utilized by Martin Luther and other early reformers to broadcast the gospel message – with Bibles in the language of the common people, and spiritual pamphlets being some of the main objects of printed information.
Honest historians recognize that the Protestant Reformation followed shortly upon the invention of the moveable-type printing press. And furthermore, that the scientific and industrial revolutions followed on the heels of the Protestant Reformation, as people in Western Europe had more direct access to the Bible and to true wisdom and knowledge. The Scientific Method of hypothesis demonstrated by experiment and testing drew upon the confidence of a European culture which believed that the Law-giving Covenant-keeping Creator God of the Bible made the order within the natural world such that it would also be governed by laws and principles from its Creator.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that the information revolution of today will be similarly edifying. Without a real effort to supply biblical content and information, wisdom and truth is quite elusive, and the lies of the devil will proliferate. The mere availability of online services, AI, multimedia access, “smart” things, and high-impact visuals to the common man around the world does not itself mean a similar advancement of profoundly essential grace and truth.
– Mark Cadwallader, Board Chairman of Creation Moments
Photo: AI phone capabilities, Envato.
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