[betty boop]

The Spiritual message which enlivens us - the words of God - are not altogether physically manifest like DNA.

Not altogether — depending on the "ears"....

But neither is DNA "altogether physically manifest." There is a sense in which DNA is not physical at all, its sense as an idea — and a pretty darn useful one, as it turns out. The point is, the term DNA refers both to "code" and the physical carrier of the code (i.e., the DNA molecule). Yet typically we do not draw this distinction. Anyhoot, you can "fractionate," or "reduce" a molecule all day long; but you cannot "fractionate" an idea.

The Word cannot be fractionated.

Your points about autonomy/non-autonomy and the vital importance of communication in living systems are so well stated, dearest sister in Christ!

...when a thing in nature is autonomously communicating its message (DNA/RNA) it is alive. When it can no longer communicate, it is dead. If it never could communicate, it is non-life.

Seems like an excellent "rule of thumb" to me!

Thank you ever so much for your wonderful essay/post, dearest sister in Christ, and for your very kind words of support!

[Alamo-Girl]

But neither is DNA "altogether physically manifest." There is a sense in which DNA is not physical at all, its sense as an idea — and a pretty darn useful one, as it turns out. The point is, the term DNA refers both to "code" and the physical carrier of the code (i.e., the DNA molecule). Yet typically we do not draw this distinction. Anyhoot, you can "fractionate," or "reduce" a molecule all day long; but you cannot "fractionate" an idea.

Indeed!

Thank you so very much for sharing your insights, dearest sister in Christ, and thank you for your encouragements!