Richard S.C. Kirby, Cosmic Theologian and Religious Futurist was voted by the members and visitors of Universe Spirit as our November Futurist Artist of the month.
Richard Stephen Kirby, born July 16, 1949 is a Cosmic Theologian and Astronomical Chaplain in the direct line of descent --- from H.G.Wells the prototypical futurist, Olaf Stapledon, the so-called 'cosmic philosopher,' and Arthur C. Clarke the 'Space' philosopher of our times or twentieth century philosopher of astronomy and astronautics. H.G.Wells was born in 1866, Stapledon was born in 1886, Clarke in 1915.
Dr. Kirby’s most important publications includes The Person in Psychology and Individual Differences, both with John Radford, The Mission of Mysticisms, Christians in the World of Computers with Parker Rossman, The Temples of Tomorrow with Earl Brewer, The Leadership of Civilization Building with Richard J. Spady and Nurturing Civilization Builders: Birthing The Best Schools In The World with Barbara Gilles.
Kirby’s Ph.D. thesis at Kings College London in 1992 was on the subject of Theological Definition of cosmic Order.
Dr. Kirby attended the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in the ordination program from 1982 to 1985 and worked in various church ministries on both sides of the Atlantic for the next 10 years. While finishing his Ph.D. in Christian doctrine and history subsequently he was called to Seattle where for 10 years he worked developing a theological think tank which became known as the Stuart C. Dodd Institute for Social Innovation. In 1988 Dr. Kirby was the prime mover in calling into being the World Network of Religious Futurists (WNRF). He became the chairman in 1993 with the death of Earl D.C, Brewer and served in this capacity for 12 years before he relinquished the post to Aziz Nasir in 2005 and began to serve as the organization’s Chaplain. In the year 2001 he formed the chaplaincy program for the World
Future Society and remains senior chaplain at the time of writing (October 2005). In 2005 he became the first President and Chaplain of Kepler Academy, an astronomical and theological college.
Please visit The World Network of Religious Futurists’ website, www.wnrf.org, to explore the future of religion and to find out more about the WNRF.