The Future of the Church in a Space Age &  How the Anglican Church Can Respond

Preface

This paper is a hypothetical theological paradigm postulating that if human “progress” continues as it does unimpeded by our own destruction, whether that be by Christ’s return or society resetting itself as it often does, how will Christianity progress doctrinally? With the rise of the second space race, this time between corporations, the possibility of Humanity becoming multiplanetary arises. This raises questions such as, “How does the eschaton work?” “Redemption for Non-Earthlings?” “Sacramental Validity?” “Man’s role in the cosmos?” and many others. In this paper I will be going into these questions and showing a framework for how the church, especially the Anglican expression, can function and serve Christ among the stars and how this is biblical. 

Recap & the Current Situation

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin, aboard Vostok 1, became the first Man to enter space, to enter the heavens. This marked a rapid race to make it to the next celestial body, the moon. On July 12, 1969, just eight years later, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin. Piloting the Eagle lander, touched down on the Moon. During this time, Presbyterian elder Buzz Aldrin, consecrated the Eucharist on the Moon, and was united to his Creator in the heavens. Meanwhile on earth in December of 1969, the Vietnam draft started. Millions of young men were drafted. Now that man had reached the heavens, he lost sight of the stars, and was distracted by earthly conflicts, and the gaining of wealth. Man, especially the United States, lost sight of God and slowly decided to throw away the Bible, and to adopt hedonism. The last time Man landed on the Moon was 1972. He has not been back since. In 1973 Roe v. Wade was passed, allowing women to choose to murder their unborn children. In 1974, the Episcopal church started ordaining women to the priesthood. Eventually, in 2009, the Episcopal church allowed LGBTQ priests, and in 2015 gay marriage. Since then Man has stagnated in his ability to reach the stars until now. With the rise of Elon Musk’s SpaceX and NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo programs a new Space Race has begun. This space race is not like the previous. This space race does not have God in the sight of man. This space race is being run solely for the glory of man and his hubris. It is a repeat of the tower of Babel. Man has said, “…let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4 KJV). This hubris is being led by SpaceX and NASA (Fig 1), whose goal is to build cities on other worlds in the heavens, in order to save man from coming destruction (Fig 2). We as Christians know that our salvation is not in our hands. We know that the hour is at hand that the world will be destroyed by fire. But we do not know when this coming destruction will be. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt 24:36). So how will Christianity move forward into the Space Age. What does it look like for Christianity to live off world, what does the Gospel of the Kingdom look like,  and how do we call these companies into repentance and submission to the Lord Jesus the Savior of the Cosmos? 

The Future

In order to understand how Christianity will function off world, we will need to speculate on the next 200 years of Space Technology. In this study, we will be looking at Spaceflight in Increments of 50 years, slowly ramping up technological advancement. After this we will look at how Christianity needs to spread and develop its theology in accordance with these developments. 

2025-2075: The Age of Exploration

As of now rocket technology is the same as it has been for the last 80 years. We burn Oxygen with another Chemical in High Pressure to produce thrust. This is limited by the Rocket Equation. This equation tells us that when trying to get more mass into space you need more fuel, more fuel, means more mass, which means more fuel, which means more mass, which means more fuel…. I think you understand. With current rocket technology, mass to orbit is super inefficient which is why Rockets are so large and cost to orbit is so expensive. In 2024 we are on the cusp of cheap reusable rockets, with technologies such as Starship, New Glenn, and Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser (Fig 3). Chiefly, SpaceX Starship will do majority of this cost cutting because it is also mass producible and fully reusable. This new technology will drastically reduce mass to orbit costs. This has opened the doors for more private companies to design large infrastructure projects for Earth Orbit, the Moon, Mars and early designs for the Asteroid belt and beyond. By 2031, NASA will have decommissioned the International Space Station, and through the work of the commercial Crew, Cargo, and Space Station missions, new commercial Space Stations will have been built in space around Earth. These Space Stations will service Earth Operating Engineering and Science companies who have incentives to do material, biological, and astronautical science in space. Space Station examples that will be in orbit by the early 2030’s are Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, Nanoracks’ and Voyager Space Starlab, and Axiom Space’s Axiom Station. NASA itself will be launching the Lunar Gateway Space Station orbiting the moon to service a scientific base on the Moon’s surface (Fig 4).  As the stations are  being built, Starship by the early 2030’s will have landed the first colony ships on Mars and a burgeoning colony on the Moon will have begun. This is where speculation comes into play. Beyond the 2040’s it is really unknown. Our first unmanned  ships into the asteroid belt and beyond may have started their journey by the 2050’s. By the 2050’s nuclear rocket technology will have been matured for long distance space travel cutting travel time to Mars from six months to three. This opens up Jupiter and the Jovian moons for colonization. Our first target would probably be Europa. Meanwhile a Aldrin Cycler (Fig 5) would start to be built between Earth and Mars. An Aldrin cycle is a ship that continuously orbits between Earth and Mars and does not stop. This more efficiently transports mass goods cheaply between Earth and Mars. At this point the Colony on the moon will have reached the thousands and Mars hundreds and by the 2070s ten-thousand people live in space; the first child is born off Earth.

2075-2125 Age of Colonization

Advancements in Nuclear Fusion and power storage technology lead to the eradication of Global Warming and advancements in material science lead to greener material use; no more plastic in Earth Oceans. The Luna Colony has reached 15,000 people by 2090 and early signs of industry are starting to show. Luna builds the first Mass launcher or electromagnetic catapult (Fig 5). This allows for the quick and easy launch of mined materials into Lunar orbit for collection and shipment back to earth. No fuel required, only electricity. Chief materials being mined on the moon are Helium-3, Aluminum, and iron. These resources would be used in the construction of new ships, tankers, and power stations. The first space based power systems (Fig 6) would be built and by 2090 large rotating space stations (fig 7) would be common around Earth and the Moon. By 2100 Earth would not produce the majority of the Solar Systems ships. A new Luna Orbital Shipyard will have been constructed, able to build massive inter-solar system ships. Work on the first Asteroid Belt colonization efforts would begin. By 2110 Mars’ population will have reached 10,000  and the Moon 100,000. Lights will be able to be seen from Earth on the surface of the Moon. Total space population 150,000.

 

2125-2175 Age of Industry

By 2125 Mars terraforming will have begun. Exponential growth has begun. Nanoparticle manufacturing will have begun on Mars allowing for the atmosphere to be heated up through the nanoparticles trapping heat. Within the first few years Mars will have longer, warmer summers, with water on the surface. The water would freeze in the winter, spring, and fall, but summer would have liquid oceans. This would allow for Mars to start to exponentially heat up as water traps in heat and the water cycle starts again. Giant mirrors could be transported to Mars to help heat up the planet. Population on Mars exponentially grows. By 2150, Mars’ population will have reached 200,000 through immigration and children being born. Asteroid belt mining will have begun and the Space Industry will have come into full fruition. The Lunar Population will have reached 1 million and space transportation technology will have reached extremely fast speeds through technology such as VASIMR and Pulsar Fusion. This will cut travel time between Earth and Mars to one month and possibly just a few weeks. This will open up the outer solar system for colonization. By 2175, both the Moon and Mars will be their own political entities, with their own cultures, religious beliefs, and economies. 

2175-2225 Age of Rebellion

As the Moon and Mars reach 1 Million population, tensions between Earth and the rest of the solar system will rise. At 1 million people Mars will be fully autonomous from Earth. The Aldrin Cycler will be unnecessary for supplies and will just be a means for the poor to make the dangerous trip to Mars. By the 23rd century Mars will start to have hints of Rebellion from Earth and want full cooperative independence, and so will its colonies in the Asteroid belt. At this point a Space War is fully possible, and an Armageddon that destroys two worlds is feasible if a political resolution cannot be found. By 2225 Mars will be habitable to walk outdoors with breathing masks, and plants will have covered the surface turning the Carbon Dioxide atmosphere into a breathable oxygen Atmosphere for humans. As man reaches the middle of the 23rd century he will be asking questions like, What is our place in the universe? Are we meant to expand farther? And who are we as a solar civilization? By 2225, Alpha Centauri will be our next stop. 

How Does Christianity Respond?

Preface

Obviously, the previous section is a hypothetical situation that may or may not happen. But I truly believe that if trends continue at least the first two ages will happen. If so, how does Christianity respond? Isn’t Christ going to return to Earth? What happens to people off world at the end times? Are we even supposed to go to space? All of these questions need to be answered. But the Church does not seem to care that this is a possible world we will live in. This paper seeks to answer this question: What is Christianity off Earth? 

Christianity off World?

Christianity seems to be an Earth centered religion. This world was created by God for his glory, so that man may participate in God. There are no beings on Mars or the Moon that God has made in his image. This would lead us to believe that Man is meant to stay on this planet. I don’t believe that the bible shows us this. Genesis 1 and 2 are the biblical creation accounts. In their original context the Israelites would have understood that the Earth has a physical dome over it and that God rules sitting on top of this Dome and that it is the “heavens.” Obviously this is not true. We have pierced the firmament only to find out that the Earth is round, the firmament is an infinite plane full of stars and planets and galaxies, and that God is outside of this physical realm. This does not deny that Genesis is true. God used the culture and beliefs of a time to meet the Israelites where they were at to explain the correct theology of who God is. Genesis 1 and 2 are theologically true. This is similar to how in John 1, Jesus is the Word. The Word or Logos is a concept in Hellenistic Philosophy that is associated with the creator of the universe, the Divine Wisdom. 

This shows that God uses cultures and their beliefs to express theological truths about himself. That is the point of the bible. It is not a scientific manual. It is a story with a narrative that points to Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross, resurrection and ascension. The Genesis narrative shows us that Man has authority over the Earth. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26). Man being made in the image of God is the key to our dominion. The scriptures progressively reveal that man, in union with Jesus Christ, will be deified and rule with Him over the universe.  “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt 19:28). Jesus is talking to the Apostles. This shows that the Apostles are the ones that sit on the thrones in Revelation judging the nations. 

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne…And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold (Rev 4:2, 3).

Humanity will reign with Christ in the eschaton. Christ is king over the universe and has authority over all. He shares this with his saints. This authority has been given to fallen man before the fall and Man will have the fullness of this in the Regeneration. The Psalmist says, 

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1-9)

All of creation has been given to Man, specifically one man, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Son of Man. It is the duty of the Church to spread this kingdom by preaching the gospel to all creation. “…and he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). 

What can we do Now?

With the advent of the Space Age, the church has an opportunity to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God to all creation. To evangelize the solar system will become the mission of the Church over the next two hundred years. In order to do this the Church will have to develop a theology of ministry for space. I personally believe that the Anglican church has the best ability to thrive in an expansionist, colonial space empire. The Anglican Church needs to prepare itself by launching theological councils and working with NASA and space corporations to bring awareness to how the Gospel of Christ can bring salvation in the Space Age. 

Christian Theology in the Space Age

Cosmic Christ

The universe was made by, for, and through our Lord Jesus Christ. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). These dominions, principalities, and powers are not just earthy but heavenly as well. There are three heavens: sky, space, and Heaven proper (where God is ruling). As said before, the earliest Jews understood there was a hard plate between the sky and Heaven and that was “space.” Now we know that there is an infinite universe between us and where God lives. God rules over all things by “upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). God bridged the gap between his creation and himself by becoming Man. Man being made in the image of God has the purpose of participating in the divinity of God. So that, not by nature or essence but by grace may become gods. St. Athanasius said, “for as the Lord, putting on the body, became man, so we men are deified by the Word as being taken to Him through His flesh, and henceforward inherit life ‘everlasting.’” ( Athanasius, “Discourse III, Paragraph 34”, Against the Arians). Christ now sitting at the right hand of the Father is ruling over all and is in all things. He is with us always even unto the end of the universe.  “Jesus said, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:20). The word used for world in the King James Version is αἰών. This normally means “age” or “eon” and is translated that way often. But it can also mean the current world. Christ is with all of his people, really and truly until this universe ends. A cosmic theology of Christianity starts with this doctrine: the purpose of the incarnation is to reconcile the universe to Christ by God becoming Man so that Man can participate in God. 

Sin, the Enemy, & Redemption

There is a question that arises in Genesis on whether or not sin and death entered into the world with the fall of Man or with the fall of the Angels. It seems that death was already an occurrence with the fall of the Angels. I do not think this is a matter of dogma but is of pius opinion. Some of the Ancient Fathers seemed to think that the elect, the citizens of Heaven are meant to replace these fallen Angels

While some of the angels deserted God in impious pride and were cast into the lowest darkness from the brightness of their heavenly home, the remaining number of the angels persevered in eternal bliss and holiness with God. For these faithful angels were not descended from a single angel, lapsed and damned. re knowledge of their everlasting security in his unfailing steadfastness. … From the other part of the rational creation—that is, mankind—although it had perished as a whole through sins and punishments, both original and personal, God had determined that a portion of it would be restored and would fill up the loss which that diabolical disaster had caused in the angelic society. For this is the promise to the saints at the resurrection, that they shall be equal to the angels of God. (St Augustine, Handbook on Faith Hope and Love, 9:28-29)

There is a brokenness that had entered into the world through the Angels that fell. The effects we do not know. But what we do know is that Christ has defeated these fallen Angels and has bound them for a time. Adam and Eve, when they sinned, at a minimum entered death into all Humanity. But Christ, through his incarnation, has redeemed Humanity and saved the Elect in order to replace these fallen Angels. 

There has also been a question, since Man has entered into this scientific age, “Are we alone?” The Bible has an answer. No, we are not alone. God has revealed that there is another race of Men, the Angelic Host, who are spiritual beings that have been tasked as Guardians of the Universe. The Bible describes those in heaven as having Spiritual bodies. That does not mean they are non-Physical. Jesus has a Spiritual body.

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Cor 15:44-49)

Is this Spiritual body immaterial, non-corporeal, and non physical? No it is still a physical body in that we can touch, taste, see, and smell it. Evidence for this is Jesus Christ. He is the Second man of heaven. He has the heavenly body which we can look forward to. And yet the Apostles can all see him, and Thomas even is able to touch his wounds. Christ has flesh and blood, body and soul in the resurrection. It is the same with the Angels. They seem to have a heavenly and corporeal mode to them. For example the Cherubim are these giant animal-like beings. But then Gabriel comes to Mary in the form of a Man who can be seen. 

There is a phenomenon that ramped up since the Space Race started and the first nuclear weapons were tested. This phenomenon is colloquially known as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO’s) but the government has officially classified them as Unexplained Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP’s). The government has documented and publicly released files through the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) that show that these UAP’s have interfered in human affairs. They are big cylindrical, spherical or rectangular objects that seem to maneuver in ways beyond earth science (see Fig 8). The popular theory in the cultures imagination is that these UAP’s are from other physical worlds. The Christian on the other hand is inclined to believe that these beings are spiritual in nature. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). If Angels are able to maintain physical form, and demons are fallen angels, then it is logical that Demons can take physical form as well. We know that they may possess physical objects. If this is true then Christ’s harrowing of Hell and destruction of the Devil is not an ethereal reality, but a real reality. Christ is coming to redeem the universe, with his Saints, to destroy death and the devil. And in a Cosmic Christianity, we are going to prepare the way by conquering the Solar System for Christ. If this is true, then what is seen in Revelation 20 is an unfathomable but real, literal event. 

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Rev 20:14-21).

After the Kings of the Earth and the Satan has been defeated, then the Cosmos will be rebuilt and we will rule with Christ in paradise forever. The role then of a post-Cosmic church, is to Colonize the Solar System and be the Army of the Heavens that comes and defeats the Kings of the Earth. Whoever believes and trusts in Jesus Christ as Lord will be saved, and whoever does not will be thrown into the lake of fire, whether they be of Earth or of the Asteroid Belt, Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Government

There are two kingdoms that Christ has set up in the world, the Kingdom of the Sword and the Kingdom of Grace. The Kingdom of the Sword has the authority over civil affairs, militaries, taxes, and justice. In a post-Cosmic Christianity, just like with the discovery of the New World, Christians have an opportunity to create governments that recognize Christ as King. The main problem with the American Experiment is that it officially does not recognize Christ as King. In our modern society there is a polarization between traditionalists and progressives. Progressives are going towards an atheist transhumanist technological dystopia where the average person is god by essence. The traditionalist recognizes that God is real and that He has set out his law and it is recognizable in his creation. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). We have a mandate from our Lord to “baptize all nations.” This does not just include individuals, but it also includes governments, because governments represent the people. The sovereign of a nation represents the people of that nation whether it be a King, President, or Prime Minister, they are the Father of that nation. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4) Presidents and Kings will be judged on how godly they lead their nation. This starts with recognizing that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Anglicanism is unique in that it recognizes this fact. 

General Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes…The King’s Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other his Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil-doers. (39 Articles of Religion, 21; 37)

The Anglican Church needs to advocate for Christian Colonies on the planets of our Solar System. The Governments of these colonies need to recognize belief in the Nicene Creed and the Holy Bible as the least common denominator in serving in office on any of these colony worlds. 

Church

It is the duty of the Anglican Church, especially the Global South and GAFCON, to commit to space research and how Christianity can function off world. The possibility of the aforesaid scenario happening especially in the next 100 years is more than probable. The way that the ACNA and REC can start is by supporting research into how to grow food such as grapes and wheat in space and other extreme environments. If churches are to survive in space, they need a means to provide for themselves and to be able to produce the elements for the sacraments on their own. The Episcopal system is perfect for Space Colonization Efforts. Each diocese is the smallest unit of a Church so a Bishop of Mars will have his own sacramental jurisdiction of the planet and can run his diocese as he sees fit. Presbyterian government does not have this ability. Long distances in space lead to hours long communication time, and General Councils will only be seldom able to be called. With Bishops sending a small convoy to a general council is possible. 

Word, Sacrament & the Mass

The  Anglican Prayer Book is the perfect service book to be adapted to space. It will keep the tradition of Earth Christianity alive while being biblical and adaptable to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond. Unlike the Eastern Rite and Roman rites it is not overly complex and can be adapted to many environments. Services in space can be started as soon as the first commercial space stations are in orbit. Chaplains can be sent on long term missions to the Moon and Mars to serve astronauts working in space. Eventually the goal would be to have monasteries serving as central spheres of religious life on other celestial bodies. Prayer is what is needed in order for Space Exploration to be successful. As we colonize other worlds we will be turning them into our image. This is the same issue as the tower of Babel. If we are to conquer space for the glory of God then we’ll have to dedicate our work to him in a life of prayer. The Daily Office and the monastery is where this will be done. By the power of the Word and Sacraments of the church, what we will create will be dedicated to God and be made a pleasing sacrifice to Him which can be offered in the Mass. As Lunar colonization begins the ACNA and REC should have a goal to get chaplains trained to serve Astronauts on the moon with the eventual goal of a parish and monastery as the colony enlarges. When the Colony on the Moon surpasses ten thousand citizens, the Monastery should be able to be started and provide for itself by producing wine and other specialty foods. This space wine could be commercialized back on Earth for high prices and used in parish life as communion wine. 

Mission

The goal of these mission parishes in the Solar System is to spread the Gospel to all creation Baptizing the stars in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The mission of these colonies of God’s kingdom among the stars is very similar to that of those on Earth. We are sacrificing ourselves and bearing our crosses daily, waiting for the day that the Lord comes back in power to redeem the world. When Humanity reaches space this will be expanded to the universe. We are to make colonies of the Kingdom of God on the Moon, Mars, the Asteroid Belt, Europa, Titan, and beyond. A people being knitted together into a cosmic temple, offering a sacrifice pleasing to the Lord, which is thanking him for his sacrifice that saved us and serving him in the Universe in love and concord. 

Conclusion

The world is expanding. Soon Mankind will expand out into the Solar System. The Church needs to respond soon. The Anglican Church has the most potential to expand into this future. As we await for the coming day of the Lord let us offer the sacrifice of Praise for the opportunities he has given the Church militant in this age to serve him, and let us not waste the opportunity to preach the gospel to all creation, baptizing the cosmos in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.