John 1:1-5 Four causes in a design and implementation model

The ancient Greek word "αἰτία" ≈ "cause, reason". Aristotle often used this word as "explanation". Each "cause" is a "why" question. These are briefly summarized here using the Aristotle's example of a "table". The more formal Latin and the less formal English words describing the Greek words are provided.

αίτια	cause	Latin	Informal	table	cooking	computer
ὕλη	matter	material	substance	wood	ingredients	data
εἶδος	form	formal	pattern	design	recipe	code
κινοῦν	movement	efficient	agent	carpentry	making	run
τέλος	end	final	purpose	dining	eating	result

Paul appears to use the four causes in writing to the Philippians. John appears to think in a top-down backward-chaining manner (much as a modern computer scientist). A top-down view of the four causes appears to fit John 1:1-5.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]

και ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

What is "the ask"? Here are some related words.

"αἴτησις" ≈ "request, demand".
"αἰτέω" ≈ "ask, demand".

Here are some related Greek words.

"αἴτιος" ≈ "cause, responsible for".
"αἰτία" ≈ "cause, reason" as in the four "causes" of Aristotle.

Greek sayings: (ancient and modern)

"μη αίτιος χωρίς αιτιώ" ≈ "Don't blame me without reason" (ancient).
"αίτιο και αιτιατό" (EH-tee-o keh eh-tee-a-TO) ≈ "cause and effect" (modern).

More: Philippians 2:5-8 form of God and Aristotelian causes

More: John: Asking for anything and everything

αίτια	cause	Latin	Informal	table	cooking	computer
ὕλη	matter	material	substance	wood	ingredients	data
εἶδος	form	formal	pattern	design	recipe	code
κινοῦν	movement	efficient	agent	carpentry	making	run
τέλος	end	final	purpose	dining	eating	result

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! [kjv]

ουτως και η γλωσσα μικρον μελος εστιν και μεγαλα αυχει ιδου ηλικον πυρ ηλικην υλην αναπτει [gnt]

… lingua modicum … membrum … ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit [v]

The ancient Greek word "ὕλη" ≈ "wood, brush, subject, matter". Thus, it has a physical and figurative meaning depending on context. In terms of Aristotle's four causes, "matter" is the "material" that is transformed into something else. The "matter" is similar to the idea of "data" in computer science.

The Latin word "quatntus" ≈ "how much, how many, how big, as much as" and is the source of the English word "quantum".

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! [kjv]

ουτως και η γλωσσα μικρον μελος εστιν και μεγαλα αυχει ιδου ηλικον πυρ ηλικην υλην αναπτει [gnt]

… lingua modicum … membrum … ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit [v]

The ancient Greek word "ὑλικός" ≈ "of matter, material" from the ancient Greek word "ὕλη" ≈ "wood, stuff, matter" which is related to the following.

The Latin word "silva" ≈ "wood" as in "Pennsylvania" as "Penn's woods".
The English word "sill" as in a "window sill" which is from the Middle English word "sille" ≈ "sill" which is from the Old English word "syll" ≈ "sill, foundation, base".
The German word "Schwelle" ≈ "threshold".
The modern Greek word "υλικός" (ee-lee-KOS) ≈ "material, physical".

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! [kjv]

ουτως και η γλωσσα μικρον μελος εστιν και μεγαλα αυχει ιδου ηλικον πυρ ηλικην υλην αναπτει [gnt]

James 3:5
Strong	Used	Unique	Word	Part of speech
G3779	208	205	ουτως	adverb
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G3588	19706	981	η	article nominative singular feminine
G1100	50	7	γλωσσα	noun nominative singular feminine
G3398	30	6	μικρον	adjective nominative singular neuter
G3196	34	5	μελος	noun nominative singular neuter
G1510	2435	888	εστιν	verb present active indicative 3rd person singular
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G3173	242	8	μεγαλα	adjective accusative plural neuter
G3166	1	1	αυχει	verb present active indicative 3rd person singular
G3708	682	199	ιδου	verb 2nd person aorist middle imperative 2nd person singular
G2245	3	2	ηλικον	adjective nominative singular neuter
G4442	71	26	πυρ	noun nominative singular neuter
G2245	3	1	ηλικην	adjective accusative singular feminine
G5208	1	1	υλην	noun accusative singular feminine
G381	2	1	αναπτει	verb present active indicative 3rd person singular

The KJV (King James Version) translates as "great" and "little" the same Greek word "ἡλίκος" ≈ "as big as, as great as, as old as" and is related to "ἡλικία" ≈ "age, maturity" as used in the story of Zacchaeus where it is mistranslated as "short".

More: Luke 19: A short discussion on stature

James 3:5

All

KJV: Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth !

Greek: ουτως και η γλωσσα μικρον μελος εστιν και μεγαλαυχει μεγαλα αυχει ιδου ολιγον ηλικον πυρ ηλικην υλην αναπτει

Latin: ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est et magna exultat ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit

Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]

οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "διυλίζω" ≈ "sort out" and literally means "through the matter of". Only in the GNT (Greek New Testament) is this word translated as "strain" and then used only one time.

"διυλίζω" ≈ "sort out"
"διά" ≈ "through".
"ὕλη" ≈ "wood, brush, subject, matter".

The Latin word "excolere" ≈ "tend, cultivate, improve, perfect". The English word "strain" comes, through French, from the Latin word "stringo" ≈ "draw tight together, tie".

More: So far as the net gain of a gnat into a canopy

Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. [kjv]

και εγενετο εν τω προσευχεσθαι αυτον το ειδος του προσωπου αυτου ετερον και ο ιματισμος αυτου λευκος εξαστραπτων [gnt]

… factum … oraret … [v]

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [kjv]

αλλα εαυτον εκενωσεν μορφην δουλου λαβων εν ομοιωματι ανθρωπων γενομενος και σχηματι ευρεθεις ως ανθρωπος [gnt]

… formam … factus … inventus … [v]

Greek has (at least) two words for "form", both of which are used at times by Aristotle, Plato, etc. The English word "form" is, through French, from the Latin word "forme" ≈ "form, shape, appearance" which appears to be from the ancient Greek word "μορφή" ≈ "shape, fashion, appearance". The ancient Greek word "εἶδος" ≈ "form, shape" from the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*WEYD" ≈ "see"and is related to words such as "video".

The "form" is similar to the idea of "code" in computer science where "code" and "data" are interchangeable depending on point of view.

In design and implementation terms of OOP (Object Oriented Programming) the following loosely correspond in terms of the four causes.

Design: "classes" and "code" as "algorithms"
Implementation: "objects" and "data" as "data structures"

The English word "information" has the word "form" in it as when someone is "informed" about something.

More: Classes and objects

More: The full assurance of information

Luke 9:29

All

KJV: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Greek: και εγενετο εν τω προσευχεσθαι αυτον το ειδος του προσωπου αυτου ετερον και ο ιματισμος αυτου λευκος εξαστραπτων

Latin: et factum est dum oraret species vultus eius altera et vestitus eius albus refulgens

Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [kjv]

δεσμευουσιν δε φορτια βαρεα και επιτιθεασιν επι τους ωμους των ανθρωπων αυτοι δε τω δακτυλω αυτων ου θελουσιν κινησαι αυτα [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "κίνησις" ≈ "motion, dance" and is the source of the English word "kinetic". In context, the word can mean "revolt", "inflection" or other "action". The word comes from the ancient Greek word "κινέω" ≈ "move" and is related to the Latin word "cieo" ≈ "move".

The "movement" is similar to the idea of "execution" or "running" the "code" with "data" in computer science.

Aristotle uses this word for what philosophers call the "efficient" cause which comes, through French, from the Latin word "efficere" ≈ "work out, accomplish" and is the source of the English word "effect".

More: Aristotle

More: Matthew 23:1-4 Jesus fingers the talk about works

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [kjv]

τον μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν υπερ ημων αμαρτιαν εποιησεν ινα ημεις γενωμεθα δικαιοσυνη θεου εν αυτω [gnt]

… efficeremur iustitia … [v]

The Latin word "efficere" ≈ "work out, accomplish" and is the source of the English word "effect".

The Greek for "made" is that of "coming into being". In John 3, the same word is translated as the "born" in "born again" or "born from above".

More: John 3:1-17 Born from the beginnings

2 Corinthians 5:21

All

KJV: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Greek: τον γαρ μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν υπερ ημων αμαρτιαν εποιησεν ινα ημεις γινωμεθα γενωμεθα δικαιοσυνη θεου εν αυτω

Latin: eum qui non noverat peccatum pro nobis peccatum fecit ut nos efficeremur iustitia Dei in ipso

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The prefix «κνηθ-» appears only here but appears to be a common elision (i.e., shortening) of the prefix «κινη-» which appears 14 times in the GNT and LXX (Septuagint) as "moving".

More: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The moving ethics of tinnitus and itching ears

We get the English word "kinetic" from the prefix «κινη-». The related modern Greek word is "κίνηση" (KEE-nee-see) ≈ "move, movement". The word "cinema" is through French and means, literally. "moving" as in a shorting of the phrase "cinematic film".

Paul invents a lot of his own words. A play on words here is that of a "moving ethics" or "relative ethics". The ancient Greek word "ἔθος" ≈ "habit, custom, manner" and is the source of the English word "ethics".

KJV: "itching" "ears".
Play on words: "moving ethics" of "hearing" or "listening".

This is part of the modern reader response model.

Judges: Everyone did what was good in their own eyes.
Analogy: Everyone hears what is good in their own ears.

More: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The moving ethics of tinnitus and itching ears

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [kjv]

ο δε υπομεινας εις τελος ουτος σωθησεται [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "τέλος" ≈ "end, purpose, complete". The ancient Greek word "εις" ≈ "into".

Paraphrase: But he that shall endure into the purpose, the same shall be saved.

That is, one does not need to endure to the "end" of time or "end" of the age or "end" of life. One needs to endure "into" the "purpose". To do that, one needs to insure that one knows the correct "goal" or "purpose" "into" which to "endure".

The "purpose" is similar to the idea of a "goal" or "postcondition" or "result" of "running" the "code" with "data" in computer science.

The Greek word for "endure" is sometimes translated as "patient" and is related to the word for "abide" or "remain".

Matthew 24:13

All

KJV: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Greek: ο δε υπομεινας εις τελος ουτος σωθησεται

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. [kjv]

η δε υπομονη εργον τελειον εχετω ινα ητε τελειοι και ολοκληροι εν μηδενι λειπομενοι [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "τέλειος" ≈ "purposed, complete, perfected" and not the modern English idea of "perfect" as "without error".

For Aristotle there was the added meaning of "purpose" as in an "end" as "τέλος" ≈ "end, purpose, complete" and is the source of the English word "teleology" as the "logic" or "reasoning" about the "end times". Aristotle sometimes uses the word in the sense of "mature" as in "ripe" (fruit, etc.) in contrast to "raw".

More: Matthew 19:13-30 perfect end to complete perfection

More: James 1: Interpretation and misinterpretation

Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [kjv]

3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. [kjv]

ων το τελος απωλεια ων ο θεος η κοιλια και η δοξα εν τη αισχυνη αυτων οι τα επιγεια φρονουντες [gnt]

Who is it that will be "destroyed"? The ancient Greek word "τέλος" ≈ "end, purpose" is used by Aristotle as the "final" or "end" cause of his four causes and has the idea of "purpose". The word for "glory" is that of "opinion".

KJV: Whose end is destruction, ... whose glory is in their shame. ....
Paraphrase: Whose purpose is destruction, ..., whose opinion is in their shame, ....

More: Philippians 2:5-8 form of God and Aristotelian causes

More: Whether this or that: What is your opinion on glory?

More: Philippians 3:17-19 walk of destruction

Jesus is our Lord (King) and Savior (Christ) but showed by example how to be a servant.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]

ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

… forma … rapinam … aequalem … [v]

2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [kjv]

… formam … factus … inventus … [v]

2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [kjv]

εταπεινωσενεταπεινωσεν εαυτον γενομενος υπηκοος μεχρι θανατου θανατου δε σταυρου [gnt]

Philippians 2:6-11 form a famous poem (unknown author, perhaps Paul, but used here by Paul). Paul appears to be using, by analogy, Aristotle's four causes.

More: Philippians 2:5-8 form of God and Aristotelian causes

How well does the "poem" in Philippians 2:6-8 fit the Aristotelian model of causes?

Should we "formally" "table" this idea?

The English word "information" has the word "form" in it as when someone is "informed" about something.

More: The full assurance of information

Pauls verses and four causes
Greek	Greek	Paul's verses
ὕλη	matter	Jesus
εἶδος	form	as God, man, equal, similar
κινοῦν	movement	servant, humble, obedient
τέλος	end	death on cross

Discuss: How might this model or explanation relate to the "bishop" issue?

Paul uses none of the technical terms or words of Aristotle in this poem. Any similarity would be semantics (meaning) and not by syntax (exact words).

Paul will use "end" or "purpose" twice in chapter 3 of Philippians in interesting ways.

In a few verses, though, Paul will use some specific and exact technical terms defined and used by Aristotle.

More: Philippians 2:5-8 form of God and Aristotelian causes

Here is a computer science model in terms of Aristotle's four causes.

Four causes and computer science
Greek	English	CS
ὕλη	matter	data
εἶδος	form	code
κινοῦν	movement	run
τέλος	purpose	goal

This model fits into a top-down backward-chaining design and a bottom-up forward-chaining implementation.

A deep result of programming language and computational theory (first by Von Neumann) is that "code" and "data" can be interchanged and depend on the context or viewpoint used.

The interchange of "data" and "code" is much like how "nouns" and "verbs" are (by ending change, etc.) interchangeable.
The same appears to be true of statistics "data" (collected) and statistics "code" (assumed interdependency of parts).

The computer science field of programming languages is concerned with programs that (read and) write programs.

More: John von Neumann

More: Programs that write programs

More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

A stair analogy can be used to help understand top-down design and bottom-up implementation.

The goal is the top of the stairs.
The start is the bottom of the stairs.

Identifying the goal is most important! You do not want to climb the wrong stairs to get to the wrong goal.
Implementation:

Do it: 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 (same either way)

Design: When it works, top-down tends to be better.

Think bottom-up: 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 (start forward to goal)
Think top-down: 5 if 4 if 3 if 2 if 1 (goal backward to start)

Gospels:

Bottom-up: Matthew, Mark, Luke (goal not clear, a lot of extra material)
Top-down: John (goal clear, no extra material)

More: Top-down vs. bottom-up

Let us express Aristotle's four causes using the computer science interpretation in a top-down backward-chaining way.
Top-down backward-chaining design:

result/goal if run if code if data
result/goal from run from code from data

Bottom-up forward-chaining implementation:

data then code then run then result/goal
data to code to run to result/goal

Alonzo Church (1903-1995) was an American logician who invented the lambda calculus.

E = C | X | ( E | E ) | λ x.E

Alan Turing (1912-1954) developed the ideas that proved the limits of computing before the first programmable digital computer was built.

The Church-Turing hypothesis forms the basis of the limits of computation.

Turing used an operational definition of a computing machine that become the basis of modern electronic digital computers.
Church used functions and mathematics for a language that became LISP and formed the foundation of modern functional programming languages.

Both systems can compute the same functions (and have the same limitations).

More: Alan Turing: halting problem

More: Fixed points

The lambda calculus is a very simple functional language.

E = C | X | ( E | E ) | λ x.E

An expression E is one of the following.

A constant C
A variable X
An application of an expression to an expression as ( E . E )
A function as λ x . E (where x is the argument and E the body of the function)

The purpose of a simple language like lambda calculus is that properties of programming languages need only be proved for a few constructs. Such a proof is called a structural induction proof.

The core text formatting part of a more general text formatting system is typically a functional string-rewriting system with abstraction mechanisms to manage redundancy.

More: Fixed points

A combinators is a λ expressions with no free variables. Three combinators (S, K and I.) are sufficient, though not efficient, to express the computation of all computable functions.

Combinators and reduction rules
S apply	K select	I identity	notation
S x y z → (x z) (y z)	K x y → x	I x → x	arrow (to/towards)
S = λ x y z . ((x z)(y z))	K = λ x y . x	I = λ x . x	lambda form
S = (λ x.(λ y.(λ z .(x z)(y z))))	K = (λ x. (λ y. x))	I = (λ x. x)	parenthesized

More: Fixed points

A fixed point is a x for function f (taking parameter x) such that f(x) = x.

Book: Introduction to combinators and lambda calculus. J. R. Hindley, J F Seldin. 978-0521318396.
A fixed point combinator, usually called Y (in lambda calculus, originally by Curry), is a higher order function that takes a function as an argument and returns a fixed point for the argument (if it exists). A combinator is a closed lambda expression in that it has no free variables. In lambda calculus terms, the fixed point combinator can be defined as follows.

Y = λ f . ( λ x . f ( x x )) ( λ x . f ( x x ))

If such a fixed point exists, then

Y(f) = f(Y f)

Y(f) = f(Y f) = f(f(Y(f)))

A text formatting system that can format itself can model this behavior (to any limit desired).

More: Fixed points

Consider the following puzzle (origin unknown, found Summer 1991) consisting of a self-referential sentence.

In this sentence, the number of occurrences of 0 is ________, of 1 is ________, of 2 is ________, of 3 is ________, of 4 is ________, of 5 is ________, of 6 is ________, of 7 is ________, of 8 is ________, and of 9 is ________.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate numbers so that the sentence is true.

For example, if you put in 1 for the number of times 1 appears, then 1 now appears 2 times.
This puzzle is a simple constraint logic puzzle.
You are to find a MGU (Most General Unifier) that is a LFP (Least Fixed Point).

More: Fixed points

Text formatter system. About 2,000 pages of Python (and growing)
Editor macro system. About 1,000 pages of Lua.
Web infrastructure: About 500 pages of PHP and JavaScript
Graphics infrastructure: About 500 pages of PostScript
Management of images, students, etc. About 5,000 pages of Delphi (being phased out)

The core text formatting part of the general text formatting system is a functional string-rewriting system with abstraction mechanisms to manage redundancy.

The text formatting system gives "life" to many different programming languages, web pages, documents, etc., by allowing the abstraction and sharing of high-level code and facilitating the management of redundancy at all levels of development.

Chapter model	Embedded code model	Separate code

[slide user interface demo, UI state, content changes]

Lua, PHP, Python
JavaScript, Java, Kotlin
Bash, Batch, PowerShell
PostScript, Forth, Perl
R, SQL, XUL, AHK
ASP, ASPX, VBA, VBS
C, D, C++, C#, Rust
Go, Julia, Pascal, Ruby
Clojure, Haskell, F#, Racket, Scala, XSLT
Erlang, Prolog
Base languages:

Python: text formatter
Lua: editor macros
PHP: server-side processing
JavaScript: client-side processing

The text formatter system can format itself.

▶

1 Old Python formatter - Sprint

2 New Python formatter - Python

3 New new Python formatter

4 Python formatter fixed point

1. Base: smaller bootstrap formatter just for Python
2, Step 1: formatting system (to get started)
3. Step 2: formatted-formatting system (different than step 1)
4. Step 3: formatted-formatted-formatting system (same as step 2, fixed point)

Keep in mind the "Back to the future" movie series and what Doc. Brown tells Marty.

There are now two of me here, and there are two of you here.

Decide what the formatter should do. This is the goal which is expressed as a text specification.
Create the base bootstrap formatter.

Create the step 1 formatter using the base bootstrap formatter. This is the first reflexive application, but not necessarily a fixed point.
Create the step 2 formatter using the step 1 formatter. This is the second reflexive application which should be a fixed point.

Note that two reflexive applications are needed, not just one, to insure a fixed-point has been reached.

Note that in physical processes there may be somewhat random variations such that the formatter progression changes during each step.

The goal of the formatter is not to propagate itself, but to allow other programs to be created and maintained in order to do useful work.

Book: Formal Development of Programs and Proofs

Can we actually work backwards from "goal" to "run" to "code" to "data" as "start"?

This was a primary focus of the career of famous and influential Dutch computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra (1930-2002). That is, from a specification, develop a correct program.

When applying for a marriage license the Netherlands refused to accept his occupation as "programmer" since they said there was no such profession. They accepted his alternative as "theoretical physicist" from his graduate academic work.

More: Edsger Dijkstra

A program is never a goal in itself. The purpose of a program is to evoke computations and the purpose of the computations is to establish a desired effect. Edsger Dijkstra (computer scientist)

More: Edsger Dijkstra

If in physics there's something you don't understand, you can always hide behind the uncharted depths of nature. You can always blame God. You didn't make it so complex yourself. But if your program doesn't work, there is no one to hide behind. You cannot hide behind an obstinate nature. If it doesn't work, you've messed up. Edsger Dijkstra (computer scientist)

More: Edsger Dijkstra

Having used many of Dijkstra's ideas for developing correct programs for some 40 years, here are some observations.

A denotational semantics can be used to develop axiomatic semantics rules.
Partial correctness (whet it stops it is correct) is easier than total correctness (partially correct and it does stop).
Functional programming techniques (based on Church's lambda calculus), whenever possible, make correctness easier than using imperative programming (based on the Turing's machine).
In parallel or concurrent programming, the idea is to first make sure all of the independent parts work correctly.
Correctness of parallel or concurrent programming is much more difficult and, in even practical and small cases, intractable to check and/or verify.
Students who have learned operational semantics (thinking like a machine) do not want to learn how to do axiomatic semantics and program proofs (thinking logically and functionally).

Sequential programming correctness is, in principle, doable and not difficult. It can be compared to the first law of "Loving God". It can be done separately of anyone else in the sense of a single processor system with limited interactions with other systems or processes.

Parallel or concurrent programming correctness is, in principle, not easily doable and intractable in practice. It can be compared to the second law of "Loving neighbor as oneself". It needs to be done in a distributed computing system of many processes.

Here is a creation model in terms of Aristotle's four causes.

Four causes and cocreation
Greek	English	CS	metaphysics
ὕλη	matter	data	physical elements and reality
εἶδος	form	code	information, life, DNA
κινοῦν	movement	run	time as we know it
τέλος	purpose	goal	purpose of the Creator

This model fits into a top-down backward-chaining design and a bottom-up forward-chaining implementation.

Top-down backward-chaining design: John 1:1-5

result/goal if run if code if data

Bottom-up forward-chaining implementation: Genesis 1:1+

data then code then run then result/goal

One way to design top-down backward-chaining:

John 1:1. In the beginning was the goal or rational explanation.
The data-code-run design is that rational explanation and must satisfy a reflexive fixed point model as in a text formatter system. This needs to be done twice to achieve the fixed point.

One way to implement bottom-up forward-chaining:

Genesis 1:1. In the beginning, make all the data that is needed. Create the heaven and the earth and everything in it.
Made all the code that is needed to operate on the data - providing life via DNA and associated parts of the data. Make plants and life.
Let the data and code run in a consistent fixed point manner towards the goal. There will be good (desired) parts and bad (not desired) parts.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]

1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]

1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]

1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]

What is the "beginning"?

What does the "with" mean?

... and the word was with God, ...
... was in the beginning with God.

What is "darkness"?

A synonym for the modern Greek word "έναρξη" (EH-nar-ksee) ≈ "begin, start" is "αρχή" (ar-KHEE) ≈ "beginning". The ancient Greek word "ἀρχή" ≈ "beginning" but can also mean "authority" or "dominion" as is the basis for the Greek word for "ruler".

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [kjv]

εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεος τον ουρανον και την γην [lxx]

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

The "beginning" aspect is the basis for the English word "archaic" as being "old".

What exactly is the "beginning" in both Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1? Are they the same?

More: Philippians 1a: A gracious favor of joy to Philippi

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

What is the "beginning"? Which "beginning"?

"beginning"

"data"

Genesis 1:1.

box

"beginning"

designed

"goal"

implemented

"data"

John 1:1

Comparison:

John 1: (beginning of design) result/goal if run if code if data
Genesis 1: (beginning of implementation) data then code then run then result/goal

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, word".

The "logical reasoning" (masculine) is equated with "God" (masculine).

There is another Greek word to refer to a word or words as "spoken words".

Discuss: Could the "logical reasoning" have to do with "reality" as we perceive it or as "truth" as Jesus uses the word (referring to "reality")?

What does it mean to be "with" God? The Greek word means "to" or "towards",

The ancient Greek word "λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation" but, in context, can mean "sentence" or even "word".

English: A sentence is significant speech. (Loeb#325, p. 121)

Greek: Λόγος δέ ἐστι φωνὴ σημαντική… Aristotle: On Interpretation [16b]

The "spoken word" can be very powerful and has often has "reasoning" behind it. God speaks or declares something and it is so.

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο θεος γενηθητω φως και εγενετο φως [lxx]

The ancient Greek word "φωνή" ≈ "voice, sound" comes from the ancient Greek word "φως" ≈ "light" and the ancient Greek word "νους" ≈ "mind". That is, a "sound" or "voice" is "light" into the "mind".

More: Aristotle

More: Declarative models

More: Genesis 1:1: Declarative models and causal reasoning

More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

In what was put as Aristotle's opening statement of some 2600 English pages of small text print, Aristotle defines an equivocation as a source of deception. In that statement, Aristotle uses the phrase "statement" of "essence" or "logos" of "ousia". The "essence" is the reality of the physical "substance" or "idea" and the "logos" is the abstract "description" or "logical reasoning" of that "essence". Aristotle will use this a number of times in Categorizes, Metaphysics, etc.

English: Things are equivocally named when they have the name only in common, the definition (or statement of essence) corresponding with the name being different. (Loeb#325, p. 13)

Greek: Ὁμώνυμα λέγεται ὧν ὄνομα μόνον κοινόν, ὁ δὲ κατὰ τοὔνομα λόγος τῆς οὐσίας ἕτερος, οἷον ζῷον ὅ τε ἄνθρωπος καὶ τὸ γεγραμμένον. Aristotle: Categories [1a]

The Greek word for "common" is the same word used for "Koine" Greek. The Latin equivalent is "Vulgar" Latin. The English equivalent is "Street" English.

The word "ousia" as "substance" will acquire a more technical theological meaning later in church history.

More: Aristotle

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]

ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]

How do you "reason" by way of "rational explanations"?

I "reason" about something.
I "reason" about the "reasoning" of something.
I "reason" about the "reasoning" of the "reasoning" of something.
... and so on.

When is the reflexive fixed-point reached?

Math notation: X → X (iterated function)
Math notation: reasoning → reasoning

More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]

ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]

1. Goal: "reasoning" was "in the beginning" if
2. Relation: "reasoning" → "God" if
3. Equality: "reasoning" ≡ "God".

Translating John 1:1 using "to" or "towards" is in line with a reflexive fixed point while the KJV changes the word to "with". The reasoning is top-down and backward-chaining.

Bottom-up thinking (most people): put equality first, then relation, then goal.
Top-down thinking (computer scientists, John): put goal first, then relation, then equality

More: Divide and conquer: Top-down and bottom-up

More: Top-down vs. bottom-up

More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

e(0.0) = e^0.0 = 1.0000... e(1.0) = e^1.0 = 2.7182... e(2.0) = e^2.0 = 7.3890... ...

The exponential constant e, Euler's number, discovered by Jacob Bernoulli in 1683, is defined such that the slope (first derivative) of the function e(x) is e(x) (i.e., as a fixed-point). The value of e = e(1.0) = e^1.0 is approximately 2.718281828459.

Numbers such as e are transcendental and, like irrational numbers, have no exact representation and can only be approximated.

More: Mathematical constants and Hebrew pi


Genesis 1:1 Hebrew Old Testament	John 1:1 Greek New Testament

The images are from e-Sword, http://www.e-sword.net. (as of 2008-04-20)

$Ratio of product and sum of letters and words$

Use the formula to analyze Genesis 1:1 (Hebrew gematria) and John 1:1 (Greek gematria).

More: Fundamental constants in the Bible

Here are some results. No other verses are close.

Genesis 1:1 and π:

31415926... actual significant digits (of π)
31415545... approximation from Genesis 1:1 (000004 parts under)

John 1:1 and e: (discovered in 1683)

27182818... actual significant digits (of e)
27183128... approximation from John 1:1 (000003 parts over)

Combined π+e:

58598745... actual sum (π+e)
58598673... approximation sum (000000.7 parts under using above scale)

Are these results significant or are they just a chance happening? That is left for you to decide.

More: Fundamental constants in the Bible

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]

ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]

What does it mean to be "with" God? This idea is both verses. The ancient Greek word "πρός" ≈ "to, towards".

The word was to/towards God.
... in the beginning to/towards God.

In order to explain the "to" or "towards" someone decided to change the meaning to "with" and then come up with rationalizations to justify changing the meaning.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]

ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]

The KJV translates as "same" the Greek that is a pronoun that refers to something masculine. Both candidates were equated by John as equal in the previous verse.

"logical reasoning"

"God"

Some choices for "same".

The logical reasoning was in the beginning to/towards God.

God was in the beginning to/towards God.

The "to" or "towards" is a reflexive application of the "logical reasoning" to itself. Note that two reflexive applications are needed to achieve a fixed-point in the logical reasoning of reality. There is no need to translate "to" or "towards" as "with" with the associated ambiguity of meaning.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [kjv]

εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεος τον ουρανον και την γην [lxx]

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]

παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν [gnt]

In Genesis 1:1, the KJV translates as "created" what in the LXX is "made".

The ancient Greek word "ποιέω" ≈ "make, do" and is the source of the English word "poem" as in something that is made using words.

In John 1:1, the KJV translates as "made" what in the GNT is "come into being".

The ancient Greek word "γένηται" ≈ "come into being, take place" from "γίγνομαι" ≈ "come into being, take place".

Is the difference important?

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [kjv]

εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεος τον ουρανον και την γην [lxx]

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]

παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν [gnt]

The reflexive application appears again in this verse.

Paraphrase: Everything came into being through the logical reasoning. And without that logical reasoning, nothing came into being that was in that coming into being.

God created time and space and matter as we know it, including information and us.

The KJV translates as "any" the Greek word for "one". This appears to be an expression of the one cookie rule.

Growing up, the siblings would often leave the last cookie, piece of cake, etc., not eaten (which annoyed mom).
So, if we were asked "Did you eat all of the cookies?" we could say, "No, I did not have one of them". If pressed, we could point to the "one" cookie that we did not eat. If we had eaten than one, then they would be all (i.e., gone).

Sometimes it is the "one cookie" that is not eaten that is important.

There are two general forms of the "one cookie rule" where the exceptions are important.

"not one cookie ..." (negative statement)
"one cookie ..." (positive statement)

In general, this is called an "equivocation" in that it could deceive the listener. Equivocations can be used to hide double meanings as in a code or secret code.

Equivocations can be used as jokes which some people like and some do not.

More: Equivocation deception between names and meanings

More: One cookie rule

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]

παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν [gnt]

The pronoun translated "him" is ambiguous.

KJV: In him was life ...
Alternative: In God was life ...
Alternative: In the logical reasoning was life ...

Information is abstract but important and is not a "thing". John says "he" or "it" made "everything" or "all" and not "every" "thing"

The Greek for "made" is that of "coming into being". How does one "make" information since information, by definition, requires an intelligent entity to be aware of that information?

Saying: Statistics means nothing to a rock.

John 1:3

All

KJV: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Greek: παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]

εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων [gnt]

The pronoun translated "him" is ambiguous.

KJV: In him was life ...
Alternative: In God was life ...
Alternative: In the logical reasoning was life ...

More: Ambiguous statements and perspective

John 1:4

All

KJV: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Greek: εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]

και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν [gnt]

The previous verses says that the "life" was the "light" of "men". The Greek for "shineth" is that of "appearing".

The ancient Greek word "καταλαμβάνω" ≈ "seize, grasp, hold". In context, the word can mean "grasp with the mind" or "comprehend".

To "comprehend" or "grasp with the mind" requires "darkness" to be an "intelligent entity".

Discuss: How can "darkness" be an "intelligent entity"?

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]

και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν [gnt]

The "darkness" appears to be a "false light". That is, one sees physical light or truth or reality in both cases. One is the true light and one is a false light.

Those following a false light do not want to understand the true light.

How does one tell the difference between true light and false light when, in reality, both appear as physical light?

John 1:5

All

KJV: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Greek: και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν

John then continues with John the Baptist as a messenger from God.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [kjv]

εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα θεου ονομα αυτω ιωαννης [gnt]

The Greek for "was" is that of "coming into being".

John 1:6

All

KJV: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Greek: εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα θεου ονομα αυτω ιωαννης

John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. [kjv]

ει μη ην ουτος παρα θεου ουκ ηδυνατο ποιειν ουδεν [gnt]

The blind man from birth, just healed by Jesus, is talking. The "of God" is elsewhere translated as "from God" which takes into account what came to be believed later.

Discuss: Might the blind man have meant "from God" when saying this at the meeting of the religious authorities?

In any case, in the next verse they are upset at him and cast him out.

John 9:33

All

KJV: If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Greek: ει μη ην ουτος παρα θεου ουκ ηδυνατο ποιειν ουδεν

The following question was asked by a student while teaching a graduate software engineering architecture or software engineering project management course (both about 2002). I thought about it and provided the answer given here.

When is the software done?

The software is done when it is no longer needed. Until then, it will be maintained and updated as needed. New software can be created, if needed, for new requirements, desires, etc.

Here is the follow-on question for the current discussion.

When is the universe (as we know it) done?

The universe is done when it is no longer needed. Until then, it will be maintained and updated as needed. A new universe can be created, if needed, for new requirements, desires, etc.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. [kjv]

και ειδον ουρανον καινον και γην καινην ο γαρ πρωτος ουρανος και η πρωτη γη απηλθαν και η θαλασσα ουκ εστιν ετι [gnt]

This new "earth" is somewhat different. There is no "sea". What is the old "heaven"? What is the new "heaven"?

The modern Greek word "γη" (ghee) ≈ "earth, land" and is the source of English words such as "geology", "geometry", "geocentric", "geography", etc.

There are (at least) two places called "earth".

The original and current "earth".
The new "heaven" and new "earth".

Which "earth" is meant by the third Beatitude? Might the third Beatitude have a double-meaning where both meanings are true in a certain sense?

More: Matthew 5:5 Grounds for meekly inheriting humble pie

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [kjv]

προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται [gnt]

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [kjv]

καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει [gnt]

From thermodynamics (late 19th century):

There is a beginning to time. (creation, big bang).
There is an end to time (heat death, dissolving).
Eternal means outside of time and space as we know it.

Interestingly, the word "righteousness" used here, as in what "dwelleth" in the new "earth", is a primary word of the next (fourth) Beatitude.

More: Song: Amazing grace

More: Matthew 5:5 Grounds for meekly inheriting humble pie

Peter mentions the "coming" or "advent" in 2 Peter 3:12.

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [kjv]

… adventum … elementa … [v]

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [kjv]

The English chemical term "stoichiometric"was coined from the ancient Greek word "στοιχεῖον" ≈ "element" and the Latin word "metricus" ≈ "measure".

More: 2 Peter 3:3-13 last days

2 Peter 3:12

All

KJV: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Greek: προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται

Latin: expectantes et properantes in adventum Dei diei per quam caeli ardentes solventur et elementa ignis ardore tabescent

2 Peter 3:13

All

KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Greek: καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. [kjv]

ωμοιωθη ο λαος μου ως ουκ εχων γνωσιν οτι συ επιγνωσιν απωσω καγω απωσομαι σε του μη ιερατευειν μοι και επελαθου νομον θεου σου καγω επιλησομαι τεκνων σου [lxx]

My people are like as if they had no knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall not minister as priest to me: and as you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. [bs3]

KJV (from the HOT (Hebrew Old Testament)) : my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ... One implication: Those people had better get some knowledge from the religious establishment or, perhaps, listen more carefully to what the religious establishment is saying.
LXX: my people are like as if they had no knowledge ... One implication: Those people are either ignoring knowledge provided by the religious establishment or, perhaps, are being given bad knowledge by the religious establishment for which they should know better.

How can one "reject" "knowledge" if one "lacks" "knowledge"?

The LXX says they are acting "like as if" the had no "knowledge".

Hosea 4:6

All

KJV: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Hebrew: נדמו עמי מבלי הדעת כי אתה הדעת מאסת ואמאסאך מכהן לי ותשכח תורת אלהיך אשכח בניך גם אני׃

Greek: ωμοιωθη ο λαος μου ως ουκ εχων γνωσιν οτι συ επιγνωσιν απωσω καγω απωσομαι σε του μη ιερατευειν μοι και επελαθου νομον θεου σου καγω επιλησομαι τεκνων σου

Brenton: My people are like as if they had no knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall not minister as priest to me: and as you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.