by Wyatt Pruitt
The United States is entering into an unprecedented time in US Space superiority. US Industry has been rapidly developing new space infrastructure systems. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), a civilian government organization, started the commercial cargo (2008) and crew (2011) programs in order to both release resupply/rocket investment funds to do more science and to encourage innovation in the industry where the old bulwark companies were falling behind (Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, General Electric, United Launch Alliance, etc). What has resulted is a boom in space technology that has led to a new space race between the United States and China. The end goal of each entity is domination of the Moon, with military and civilian bases.
Along with these developments, Christianity in America is making a comeback. In the late-90’s and early-2000’s there was a movement called the New Atheists. These Atheists argued that life does not need a God, science is incompatible with religion and Mankind can make its own meaning. Thirty years later and this has proven to be utterly false. Rates of current depression since 2015 have skyrocketed from 10.5% to 17.8% as of 2023. According to a 2023 report 54% of GenZ believe their life lacks any meaning. America is ready for Jesus Christ. This new Christianity, is going to have to be traditional. Tradition is what gives life meaning. Tradition is being a part of something bigger than yourself. Tradition is the teachings of our fathers passed down to us. Traditional Christianity, is the only true Christianity. This does not mean that tradition for tradition’s sake is good. I am not talking about petty traditions like who wears what color suit at a wedding. I am talking about Big-T Tradition. The Tradition that has been passed from the Fathers and is conformed to the Scriptures. The Tradition that is likely from the Apostles themselves. This is teachings like the Bible, the Mass, Incense, Sacrifice, the Episcopate, and the Seven Ecumenical Councils. These things have stood the bulwark of time. It is these things, purged by their 20th century stodginess that will produce a vibrant Christian future.
But how can this Tradition meet the future? It starts by being both Traditionally and Scientifically minded. It is to be both true to what God’s Word says without compromise but also to engage with the current scientific paradigms. To engage in science herself. The Church, until recently has always been a bulwark of science from Copernicus to Newton to Georges Lemaître, the Church has always been on the forefront of Scientific innovation always understanding it to be the study of God’s natural revelation. This has also been true in Space Exploration.
In the first space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Christian ethos was evident. On December 25, 1968, Apollo 8 astronauts read Genesis chapter one while orbiting the moon. In 1969, Presbyterian Elder, Buzz Aldrin, consecrated the Holy Eucharist, and partook on the surface of the moon. He later said, “I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the Moon, the wine curled slowly and gracefully up the side of the cup. It was interesting to think that the very first liquid ever poured on the Moon, and the first food eaten there, were communion elements.” In 1971, It was presbyterian minister, the Rev. John Stout’s mission to land a bible on the Moon. Most recently, in 2013, NASA astronaut Michael S. Hopkins brought consecrated hosts with him to the International Space Station and at the most precious Body of our Lord on the space station.
We must encourage our parishioners that Science is not opposed to faith. That the current scientific theories are just that: theories. That science is always an open ended question. That we must be engaged in science in order that science may be as unbiased toward the theistic viewpoint as possible. If we truly believe that God is not only real but that He took on flesh in the Man Jesus Christ, then we must not be afraid of His natural revelation.
As Mankind expands into space, there will be more of a need for priests off world. The REC must be the first to confront this issue. The Axiom Commercial Space Station is slated for launch in 2027. With this launch is a new dawn of access to space by many more people around the world and the start of rapid near earth space infrastructure development. Artemis 3, the first lunar landing since Apollo 17 is slated to launch in 2027 as well. With this the colonization of the moon will have begun. NASA and commercial companies have a goal of building large colonies and infrastructure projects on the moon. By 2100, the Moon may have large communities on her surface. These Lunar colonies will require the Gospel. They will require the Lord’s body and blood. These men, women, and children will need churches on the Moon.
The first steps towards Lunar priests will be REC partnerships with NASA and the United States Space Force. Both organizations have chaplaincy programs. NASA is actively operating Astronauts in space. Many are Christian. There is a lack of pastoral oversight and recommendations in the Astronaut core. The United States Space Force is not operating humans in space as of yet, but it may do this soon with the rise of the SpaceX Starship making regular orbital and interplanetary travel affordable. Space theologies, liturgies, and training programs must be developed to meet this growing and impending need. The REC will need to develop chaplaincy programs for both organizations. The future of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and Christianity in general, depends on it.
O God, who made the universe and all that is in it,
we thank you for the skills and talents that enable us to explore the mysteries of creation.
Give us the will to cherish all that you have made,
and to use the riches of our own world
for the good of all, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
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