Faculty

Prior to SMBC:

Kirk studied Speech Pathology at the University of Sydney and worked in Speech Pathology for a number of years. He then did theological studies before being ordained and working in Presbyterian Ministry. He joined the faculty of SMBC in 2000. He is currently working part-time as a lecturer and part-time in pastoral ministry.

Publications and Research:

• ‘Is the Bible Racist?’ CASE 48(2017): 14–17
• PhD on 'Job, Otherness and Christian Theology of Disability' (2016)
• ‘Review of Nigel Zimmerman: Levinas and Theology. (London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark)’, 2013 Journal of Religious History 38 (2014):192.
• ‘Disability Discrimination in the book of Job.’ A. Picard and M. Habets [eds], Theology and the Experience of Disability: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Voices Down Under. London: Routledge, 2016, 41–52. 
• Isaiah: Surprising Salvation. Reading the Bible Today. (Sydney South: Aquila, 2010). (Also available for purchase from SMBC online store)
• ‘God’s Inefficient Creation: A Fresh Look at Disability in the Old Testament’ CASE 21(2009): 16–21.
• ‘Introduction’ and ‘Jerrah: A Father’s Perspective’ in K. Hurley, Take Heart: For Families Living with Disability. (Sydney South: Blue Bottle, 2008), 8–12, 57­–62.

Recent Conference Presentations:

• 2017  Isaiah at Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC);
• 2016   ‘Gifts and Gains: Towards a Disability-Sensitive Reading of Ecclesiastes’ Exclusion and Embrace Conference, Melbourne.
• 2014  ‘Ostriches and Others: Disability in the book of Job’ at the Healthcare and Disability in the Ancient World Unit, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, San Diego.
• 2014   ‘Leviathan’s Laughter’ Fellowship for Biblical Studies, Sydney.
• 2013  ‘Disability Discrimination in the book of Job’ at Theology, Disability and the People of God Conference, Auckland;
• 2013  'Surrendering to God in the Old Testament' at Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC)
• 2011  Malachi at Next Generation Convention;
• 2010  Ecclesiastes and Isaiah in Northern Ireland;
• 2009  Ecclesiastes at Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC);
• 2001  Deuteronomy at Katoomba Youth Leadership Convention

Academic Interests:

Wisdom Literature, the relationship between the gospel and culture, and ministry with people with disabilities.

Personal:

He is married to Lisa and the father of two adult sons. The Patstons live and attend church in the Lower Blue Mountains.

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