Apple Pie and Carl Sagan

I wish I could crawl inside Carl Sagan’s head to fully understand this quote.

In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. 

As intriguing and fascinating as these words are, I can only speculate. They seem simple enough at first, but the more I turn them around, the more ideas I have. Here are a few possibilities.

1) To make something as wonderful and delicious as an apple pie from scratch, you must start with a masterful creator–someone like the one that created the universe.

2) To make an apple pie from scratch, all the creative elements of the universe must be at your disposal.

3) Cooking and science are related.

4) It takes someone as creative as the Creator of the universe to make an apple pie from scratch.

5) Without the evolved creation of the universe, it would be impossible to make an apple pie from scratch.

Carl Sagan, American Astronomer, was known for popularizing and simplifying scientific thought for the common masses. He certainly had a way with words and sometimes expressed cold, dull facts in the most poetic way.

“The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us — there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.”

Although, I don’t agree with much of what he said or wrote, I have always appreciated his ability to say it so poetically. That quote makes me want to reach for something great beyond this earth. 

It was Sagan that said, “We are made of star stuff.” Maybe in his scientific brain, he felt that because we are made of both hydrogen and helium–the same as stars and suns–that we could not be eternal at the same time… that we are no different than the matter around us. But that quote, “We are made of star stuff,” ignites my faith as a human being and a believer. I see it differently. 

Daniel, the ancient Jewish prophet wrote, “Those who know their God will do exploits and shine like the stars of the firmament.” Those “exploits” and “shining like stars” point humankind upward to the Creator. Something beyond this world. Sagan had a wonderful ability to point us upward, but his vision, as cutting edge and ahead of his time as it was, still fell short. Sagan stopped at the magnificence of the heavens and beyond. As glorious and mind-bogglingly vast as the solar system is, it is finite just like our planet earth. Someday it will come to a screeching halt. Logical thought goes beyond the creation to the Creator and Originator. Sagan did not give credit or glory to God the Master Architect and Creator.

When I see a great tv show or movie, I want to know who wrote it… who created it… beyond the movie stars, the cinematographers, the setting, the plot, the props… Bottomline… who wrote it! I want to give credit to the right person.

When I see a gorgeous piece of art or a stunning piece of architecture, I want to know who designed it. Again, the creation leads me logically to the creator.

In the quote about apple pie, I find the true heart of Sagan emerging. He was factual and feelingless. He was a human Spock. But something tender is seen here with the steaming and sweet pie emerging hot from the oven and then smothered in vanilla ice cream… Sagan knew someone had to make it… create it… and that someone had to be a pretty good creator. The amazing qualities of the pie led him back to the cook.

And yet he wrote this: The evidence, so far at least and laws of Nature aside, does not require a Designer. Maybe there is one hiding, maddeningly unwilling to be revealed.

Let’s see: it takes a great cook to make an apple pie, but no creator necessary for the universe?

Maybe there is one hiding, maddeningly unwilling to be revealed.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

Sadly, very sadly, Carl Sagan diligently sought knowledge alone and was rewarded by knowledge alone.