Robert L. Short
Encyclopedia
Robert L. Short was a Presbyterian minister, known as the author of the bestselling 1965 book The Gospel According to Peanuts
, and the 1977 book Something to Believe in: Is Kurt Vonnegut the Exorcist of Jesus Christ Superstar?
. He is also the author of The Parables of Dr. Seuss and The Gospel According to Dogs.
. He was a theologian who since 1965 had written best-selling books and spoken thousands of times around the world. Short's writing career began with the publishing explosion of his first book, The Gospel According to Peanuts. In 1965, when it first appeared, this book was the No. 1 non-fiction best seller in the United States. Since that time the book has continued to break sales records with over ten million copies now sold in the U.S. alone. The book has been translated into ten foreign languages and has become one of the most popular religious books of modern times.
Subsequently, Short has written seven other highly successful books of "popular theology": The Parables of Peanuts (1968); A time to Be Born-A Time to Die (1973) (in which all photos were taken by Short himself); Something to Believe In (1978); The Gospel from Outer Space (1983); Short Meditations on the Bible and Peanuts (1990); The Gospel According to Dogs (2003); and The Parables According to Dr. Seuss (2008).
Of his, Charles M. Schulz
wrote, "This new book is filled with wonderful quotes and is a real delight from beginning to end. Actually, I could not possibly be more pleased."
After graduating from seminary and before beginning his work as an author and speaker, Short tried his hand as a professional actor, worked in commercial and religious TV and was a director of religious drama. He holds a B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma
, a Master of Divinity
degree from Southern Methodist, a M.A. in English from North Texas University, a M.A. in Theology and Literature from the University of Chicago
, and an "A.B.D." (All But Dissertation) in Ph.D. work in Systematic Theology from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois. He has taught and preached in a wide variety of seminaries, schools, and churches and has published numerous articles.
In 1991 Short was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
and has since served as an Associate Pastor, working as a "theologian in residence" and later as a Head of Staff and pastor, specializing in preaching, adult Christian education and confirmation instruction.
Short resided in Little Rock, Arkansas where he started a new church, The church of "The Gospel of JESUS" (Jesus Exclusively Secured Unconditional Salvation).
Short died on July 6, 2009.
The Gospel According to Peanuts
The Gospel According to Peanuts is a best-selling 1965 book written by Presbyterian minister Robert L. Short about Charles M. Schulz's popular comic strip, Peanuts...
, and the 1977 book Something to Believe in: Is Kurt Vonnegut the Exorcist of Jesus Christ Superstar?
Something to Believe in: Is Kurt Vonnegut the Exorcist of Jesus Christ Superstar?
Something to Believe in: Is Kurt Vonnegut the Exorcist of Jesus Christ Superstar? is a 1977 book by Robert L. Short, which discusses the deleterious effects of organized religions on people's faith.-Introduction:...
. He is also the author of The Parables of Dr. Seuss and The Gospel According to Dogs.
Biography
Short was born and raised in Midland, TexasMidland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
. He was a theologian who since 1965 had written best-selling books and spoken thousands of times around the world. Short's writing career began with the publishing explosion of his first book, The Gospel According to Peanuts. In 1965, when it first appeared, this book was the No. 1 non-fiction best seller in the United States. Since that time the book has continued to break sales records with over ten million copies now sold in the U.S. alone. The book has been translated into ten foreign languages and has become one of the most popular religious books of modern times.
Subsequently, Short has written seven other highly successful books of "popular theology": The Parables of Peanuts (1968); A time to Be Born-A Time to Die (1973) (in which all photos were taken by Short himself); Something to Believe In (1978); The Gospel from Outer Space (1983); Short Meditations on the Bible and Peanuts (1990); The Gospel According to Dogs (2003); and The Parables According to Dr. Seuss (2008).
Of his, Charles M. Schulz
Charles M. Schulz
Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.-Early life and education:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schulz grew up in Saint Paul...
wrote, "This new book is filled with wonderful quotes and is a real delight from beginning to end. Actually, I could not possibly be more pleased."
After graduating from seminary and before beginning his work as an author and speaker, Short tried his hand as a professional actor, worked in commercial and religious TV and was a director of religious drama. He holds a B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree from Southern Methodist, a M.A. in English from North Texas University, a M.A. in Theology and Literature from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, and an "A.B.D." (All But Dissertation) in Ph.D. work in Systematic Theology from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois. He has taught and preached in a wide variety of seminaries, schools, and churches and has published numerous articles.
In 1991 Short was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
and has since served as an Associate Pastor, working as a "theologian in residence" and later as a Head of Staff and pastor, specializing in preaching, adult Christian education and confirmation instruction.
Short resided in Little Rock, Arkansas where he started a new church, The church of "The Gospel of JESUS" (Jesus Exclusively Secured Unconditional Salvation).
Short died on July 6, 2009.
External links
- Interview with Robert Short on "The Gospel According to..." by ReadTheSpirit.com