John McClean
John is the Vice Principal of Christ College and teaches in the area of Christian Thought, focussing on Systematic Theology and Ethics. He has particular expertise regarding the Westminster Confession, and also teaches Church History and Ministry. John’s PhD deals with the idea of ‘anticipation’ in the theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg. John began his ministry as a Ministry Trainee at St Matthias Anglican Church, and then was the minister of Cowra Presbyterian Church from 1995-2002. John is the convenor of the Gospel, Society and Culture Committee of the Presbyterian Church of NSW and he writes a regular ethics column in the Pulse, the PCNSW magazine. He is married to Elizabeth and they have two adult children, and are new grandparents.
John, how has your theological education and career shaped you?
“For almost twenty years I’ve had the privilege of helping students discover the glory of God and the riches of the gospel. I trust that has helped them, it has certainly encouraged and challenged me. The enthusiasm of students for serving God and their probing questions have kept me engaged and thinking”.
- 1988 Bachelor of Science (UNSW)
- 1996 Bachelor of Divinity (Hons) (Moore Theological College)
- 2012 Doctor of Philosophy (Melbourne College of Divinity)
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Series Editor
John V. Fesko, The Giver of Life: The Biblical Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation, ed. J. McClean and M. J. Smith, We Believe: Studies in Reformed Biblical Doctrine. Bellingham: Lexham Academic, 2024.
Series Editor
Brandon D. Crowe, The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ, ed. J. McClean and M. J. Smith, We Believe: Studies in Reformed Biblical Doctrine. Bellingham: Lexham Academic, 2023.
Series Introduction
J. McClean and M.J. Smith, "Series Introduction," in Brandon D. Crowe, The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ, ed. J.McClean and M. J. Smith, We Believe: Studies in Reformed Biblical Doctrine. Bellingham: Lexham Academic, 2023, xix–xxix.
"Heresy and the Confessional Church"
in Principle & Principal: The Other Side of the Rev Dr Peter Cameron Heresy Trial, edited by Paul F Cooper and David A Burke. Sydney: Eider Books, 2023.
“Family and the Mission of God”
Gospel Leadership (March, 2022).
"Doctrinal foundations"
in Effective Eldership: A Handbook for Shepherding God’s Church, edited by Murray Smith, 57-66. Sydney: Eider Books, 2022.
"Praying for and with God’s people"
in Effective Eldership: A Handbook for Shepherding God’s Church, edited by Murray Smith, 94-98. Sydney: Eider Books, 2022.
"Baptism and the Lord’s Supper"
in Effective Eldership: A Handbook for Shepherding God’s Church, edited by Murray Smith, 121-134. Sydney: Eider Books, 2022.
"Church membership"
in Effective Eldership: A Handbook for Shepherding God’s Church, edited by Murray Smith, 153-159. Sydney: Eider Books, 2022.
“Pannenberg, the submission of the son and the heartbeat of divine love”
Trinity without hierarchy : reclaiming Nicene orthodoxy in evangelical theology, edited by Michael F. Bird and Scott Harrower, 241-258. Grand Rapids: Kergel, 2019.
“Revelation and Reason: A Christological Reflection”
Revelation and Reason in Christian Theology, edited by C. Green & D. Starling. Bellingham: Lexham, 2018.
“Human Flourishing: implications for Medicine, Education and Commemoration”
in Commemorations and Memorials: Exploring the Human Face of Anatomy, edited by Goran Strkalj N. Pather, 27-40. Singapore: World Scientific, 2017.
“Neo-Calvinism versus Two-Kingdoms: an eschatological assessment”
Reformed Theological Review 76/3 (December 2014): 172-95.
“John Calvin: the Reformer and the Necessity of Reform”
in Celebrating the Reformation: its Legacy and Continuing Relevance, edited by Mark D. Thompson, Colin Bale, and Edward Loane, 82-102. IVP, 2017.
“‘Do Not Conform’: Thinking about Complementarianism as Contextualisation”
in The Gender Conversation, edited by E. Murphy & D. Starling, 173-185. Macquarie Park/Eugene: Morling/ Wipf & Sotck, 2016.
“Pannenberg’s metaphysical proposal and Biblical Eschatology”
Doon Theological Journal 12/1 (2015).
“Michael Bird, Evangelical Theology: A Review Essay”
Reformed Theological Review 73/3 (December 2014): 160-80.
“A prophetic proposal: Theology and the future of method”
in Theology and the Future: Evangelical Assertions and Explorations, edited by T. Cairney, D. Starlin , 151-165. London: T&T Clark, 2014.
The real God for the real world
The real God for the real world. Sydney: Groundwork; 2014.
From the Future
From the Future: getting to grips with Pannenberg’s thought. Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2013.
“Calvin”
in Church of the Triune God, edited by M.P. Jensen, 55-70. Sydney South: Aquila, 2013.
“What is prayer”
in The Lord’s Prayer, edited by G.Goswell, G. Munro. Melbourne: PCA Christian Education Committee: 2013.
“A search for the body: Is there space for the Christ’s body in Pannenberg’s eschatology?”
International Journal of Systematic Theology 14/1 (January 2012): 91-108.
“Of covenant and creation: a conversation between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology”
in An Everlasting Covenant, edited by J. Davies and A. Harman, 156-199. Doncaster, Reformed Theological Review, 2010.
“Calvin on the Supper: puzzling and provocative”
in Engaging with Calvin: Aspects of the Reformer’s legacy, edited by Mark D. Thompson, 204-229. Nottingham: IVP, 2009.
“Perichoresis, Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John Calvin”
Reformed Theological Review 68/2 (August 2009): 130-141.
Christ College YouTube
Recurring appearances through advertisements, module content, chapel, and graduation streams.
The Gospel Coalition Australia
Various articles and book reviews published online.
Biotechnology: Making People “Better than Well?”
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture, 13th January 2023.
Why many of us don't fit in the Left, or the Right, or a Mushy Middle
Interview with Eternity News, April 29th, 2021.
What are the Big Issues in Theology?
Zooming In On Christ College livestream, Wednesday 26th August 2020.
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