Pi(e) Day and the Bible

by Pastor Daniel

Hello Friends,

Do you like to eat pie? Do you have a favorite kind of pie? Have you ever helped someone make a pie? I enjoy eating pie! I have helped my mother and grandmother make a few pies before! (And I’m glad they were there to show me the ropes!) My favorite kind of pie is French Silk Pie: its got a thin crust, a chocolate filling, and a whipped cream frosting and then topped with chocolate shavings on top! However, you can never go wrong with the traditional apple, peach, pecan, and peanut butter pie! I mention pies, not to make you hungry, but because this past week we celebrated Pi(e) Day!

Yes, you read that correctly: Pi(e) Day! the first time I celebrated Pi(e) Day was in junior high. Each subject had something to day with pie: during geography we talked about famous pies around the world, in social studies we discussed which state produces the most pies and what kinds, in history we debated the origin of pies, in math we used pi to figure out the circumferences of pies, in art we drew our favorite kind of pie, and in physical education class we played games involving circular items. It was a pretty big deal. All “around” it was a great day to celebrate something we eat and something we use. But what is Pi(e) Day and what does it teach us about our faith?

Pi(e) Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). In mathematical terms, Pi is an irrational number–a decimal with no end and no repeating pattern–that is most often approximated with the decimal 3.14. Pi Day was founded in 1988 by Larry Shaw, an employee of the San Francisco science museum in California. Celebrations often involve eating pie or holding pi recitation competitions, and most of these celebrations take place on March 14th–which when abbreviated is 3.14.

I was thinking about Pi(e) Day this past week and wondered if the Bible mentioned the word ‘pie’ anywhere. This was a brief research because the word pie does not appear in the Bible. Now words that have ‘pie’ in them appeared: words such as piece, pieces, pierced, and piety appeared but no pie.

Then I wondered if other translations or interpretations of the Bible used the word ‘pie.’ And believe it our not, The Message Bible uses the word ‘pie’ in Matthew 16:28 to describe those “who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” The Message Bible states, “This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”

Lastly, I pondered if there are any famous or popular Bible Verses associated with 3.14. John 3.14, “Just as
Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.”  Genesis 3.14, “So the
Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, ‘Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.’” Philippians 3.14, “I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 3.14-15, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” And Hebrews 3.14, “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”

Believe it our not, Pi(e) Day has some ties to the Bible. Although finding connections between the Bible and Pi(e) Day is fascinating, there is a more important connection that we need to make. Although eating pie is a something we should do to honor Pi(e) Day, we should also realize the connection between Pi(e) Day and Jesus. Just like Pi(e), Jesus is infinite. Just like Pi(e), Jesus is real. Just like Pi(e), Jesus is never ending. Just like Pi(e), Jesus tastes good! (Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”) And just like Pi(e), we can never get enough of Jesus!

So, as you think about Pi(e) Day enjoy a nice slice of pie and remember that Jesus’s love is greater and more infinite than 3.141592654….

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Pastor Daniel