March 14th, 2021: π Day

What Is Pi, and How Did It Originate? - Scientific American

Today is π Day. π is an incredible mathematical concept and has a long-lasting presence in human history. We use π in farming, power generation, space science, meteorology, construction theory, and more.


Definition: π is the ratio of the circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle.


If this is too much math for some of you, I am sorry. Have you ever thought that π is also mentioned in the Bible?


"And he [Hiram] made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one rim to the other it was round all about, and...a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about....And it was a handbreadth thick...." (1 Kings 7: 23 and 26)


The notion of π has been present in human history for a long time. The Babylonians (c. 2000 BCE) used 3.125 to approximate π. Ancient Egyptians used a value of 256/81 or about 3.16045. Archimedes came up with 3.1418 in his calculation.


There is a parallel between π and the cross for me. When we subject any human life experience (circumference) against his (her) own broken condition (diameter), we end up with the necessity of forgiveness (the cross is π). The cross remains constant when life circumstances and its problems might be different. π is both irrational and transcendental number. The cross is both irrational in the human mind and transcendental in the human experience. 


So Happy π Day! Now, you can go and have some pie.


Acts 7: 49

"‘Heaven is My throne,

And earth is the footstool of My feet;

What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord,

‘Or what place is there for My repose?"

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