This is a repository of various writings which have been published in journals or book chapters.

“Calvin on the Supper: puzzling and provocative”, 204-229 in Mark D. Thompson ed. Engaging with Calvin: Aspects of the Reformer’s legacy (Nottingham: IVP, 2009). A study of Calvin’s view of the presence of Christ in the Supper, looking at why he held that Christ is present in his humanity by the Spirit in the sacrament.

“Perichoresis, Theosis and Union with Christ in the Thought of John Calvin” RTR 68/2 (August 2009): 130-141. An article looking at how Calvin understood ‘union with Christ’ and how it is related to the union of the the Father, Son and Spirit; the union of humanity and divinity in Christ and whether it is a basis of thinking that Calvin thought that salvation involves becoming divine.

“Of covenant and creation: a conversation between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology”, 156-99 in An Everlasting Covenant ed. J. Davies and A. Harman  (Doncaster, Reformed Theological Review, 2010). This chapter looks at the doctrine of the covenant of works as a case study of how Systematic and Biblical Theology. I argue that the covenant of works is a legitimate systematic construction; and that the two disciplines are parallel and need to interact with each other, without one supplanting the other.

“A search for the body: Is there space for the Christ’s body in Pannenberg’s eschatology?”, IJST 14/1 (January 2012): 91-108. This article investigates the surprising absence the body of Christ in the ascension. I argues that this suggests a significant weakness in  Pannenberg’s theology.

“Calvin”, 55-70 in Church of the Triune God, M.P. Jensen, ed. (Sydney South: Aquila, 2013). An article looking at Calvin’s doctrine of the Trinity, and the story of his role in the condemnation of Servetus.

“A prophetic proposal: Theology and the future of method”, 151-65 in Theology and the Future: Evangelical Assertions and Explorations T. Cairney, D. Starling, eds. (London: T&T Clark, 2014). Theology has been described as philosophy, science and art; I suggest that it should be considered to be ‘prophecy’, something like the prophecy of the book of revelation.

“Pannenberg’s metaphysical proposal and Biblical Eschatology” DOON THEOLOGICAL JOURNAL 12.1 (2015). Pannenberg’s metaphysics are inspired by biblical eschatology and the ‘now-not yet’ tension; but he emphasises anticipation and the New Testament is more actualised. That marks a significant difference.

“Michael Bird, Evangelical Theology: A Review Essay” RTR 73/3 (Dec 2014):160-80. A few years ago Michael Bird from Ridley College, Melbourne, published his one volume systematic theology: Evangelical Theology. I had the privilege of speaking at the launch, and then I wrote a longer article looking at the strengths of the book (including the jokes) and asking a few questions as well. I think his view of covenant theology is frustrating and his rejection of biblical inerrancy and the imputation of righteousness are a bad idea. I’ve also got a few suggestions of where there is some more work needed.

“ ‘Do Not Conform’: Thinking about Complementarianism as Contextualisation” 173-85 in The Gender Conversation E. Murphy & D. Starling, eds (Macquarie Park/Eugene: Morling/ Wipf & Sotck, 2016). This is a chapter from a book published from a conference at Morling College. I look at how ‘complementarianism’ is, or should be, a contextualised theology. It is obviously counter-cultural, it also has to be translated, and deal with the missional obstacles it creates. Even more, it needs to deal with the issue of domestic violence.

“Human flourishing and medical care” in Exploring the Human Face of Anatomy: Commemorations and Memorials in Anatomy Programs, N. Pather ed. (Singapore: World Scientific: 2017) This article was written to offer a Christian philosophical perspective on memorials for people whose bodies have been donated to anatomy programs.

“John Calvin: the Reformer and the Necessity of Reform”  in Celebrating the Reformation (IVP, 2017), 82-102. An article comparing Calvin’s The Necessity of Reforming the Church with his reformation of the church in Geneva. It’s interesting to see how his theology guided his practical program.

“Neo-Calvinism versus Two-Kingdoms: an eschatological assessment” RTR 76/3 (Dec. 2017): 172-95. This is a well traversed debate nowadays, but it does offers a good way to frame an important discussion about the the mission of the church. I think that the eschatological lens helps to clarify some of the issues.

“Revelation and Reason: A Christological Reflection”, Revelation and Reason in Christian Theology, C. Green & D. Starling, eds (Bellingham: Lexham, 2018). The classic Reformed view of reason is that it is a good servant, but needs to be chastened and redeemed. This article, from a presentation at the Theology Connect conference, sets out a Christological case for this view.

“Religious freedom as a problem for Reformed Theology: Calvin, Rutherford and Owen” Revista Teológica 71. 1 (April 2018): 137-57. This article shows that neither Calvin, Rutherford nor even Owen was a champion of general religious liberty. The reformed tradition needs to rethink the theological basis for freedom of religion.

Review of B. Rosner Known by God: A Biblical Theology of Identity in Themelios 43.3 (Dec. 2018): 516-520. Brian Rosner has written an excellent book looking at what it means to be known by God. This is biblical theology done so well, that it left me wondering if there was anything left for systematic theology to do! (I came up with a couple of suggestions).