Semester 2 starts 4th of August
Apply Now
ApplyEnquire
Grant

Rev Dr Grant Buchanan

Senior Lecturer in Theology

  • Biography

    Grant came to Australia to take a position as Creative Ministries and Small Groups Pastor in an ACC church in Melbourne\'s SE.\ From 2006 he taught at Harvest Bible College, joining the team in 2010 as the Head of VET. In 2015 he took on the role as Dean of Learning and Teaching, teaching in Bible, Ministry and Theology. He is currently the Head of Theology with the School of Ministry and Theology at AUC, where he teaches theology and biblical Studies, as well as Professional Supervision in the School of Health and Human Sciences.\

    Grant completed his PhD in 2021\ at the University of Divinity in Melbourne. His topic explored a pneumatological reading of the New Creation motif in Galatians, and how this impacts\ Christian identity.\ He recently completed his Master of Counselling and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision. Apart from his academic role and teaching, he also worked in school chaplaincy and runs a private counselling and professional supervision business. He is active as an itinerant speaker, and is part of the community at Aspire Church, Hampton Park.\

    Grant is a member of the Biblical Studies research cluster.

    Qualifications

    Ph.D. (University of Divinity)
    Dissertation Title The Spirit, New Creation, and Christian Identity in Galatians: Towards a Pneumatological Reading of Galatians 2021

    M.Counselling (Alphacrucis University College) 2023

    MA (Min) (Harvest Bible College) 2010

    Grad Cert Professional Supervision (Aplhacrucis University College) 2023

    Grad Cert (Research Methodologies) (University of Divinity)
    Dissertation Title “Jesus, Moses and ‘Us’: Exploring the Relationship between Covenant, Transformation, and Identity in 2 Corinthians 3–4” 2013

    BTh (Otago University) 2006

    Cert IV TAE (Sarina Russo) 2013

  • Research Interests

    Current Research

    Pneumatology in Galatians

    \n

    Spirit Christology

    \n

    Professional Supervision

    \n

    Atonement/Soteriology

    \n

    Professional Supervision

    \n

    Focusing on exploring various models, tools and practices for Professional Supervision. This includes exploring the value and importance of Professional Supervision in all people-helping contexts, with a special emphasis on the growing arena in supporting church and ministry leadership across a variety of Church and community contexts.


    Research Interests

    • Christology
    • Soteriology
    • Trinitarian Theology
    • The Gospels,
    • Pauline Letters and Theology
    • Ethics
    • Professional Supervision
    • Wellbeing

  • Research Publications

    Books

    • 2023
      • Buchanan, G. (2023). The Spirit, New Creation, and Christian Identity: Towards a Pneumatological Reading of Galatians 3:1–6:17. T&T Clark. | External link

    Book Chapters

    • 2013
      • Buchanan, G. (2013). Shifting Sands and Uncertain Waters: Leadership challenges and potentials in the midst of discontinuous change In Jon Newton (ed.), New Frontiers: Redefining Christian Ministry in 21st Century Contexts (pp. ). Mosaic Press.
      • Ware, VA., Ware, A., Clarke, M. and Buchanan, G. (2013). Why Western Based, Pentecostal mission organizations undertake community development in South East Asia In Clarke, M. (ed.), Handbook of Research on Development and Religion (pp. ). Edward Elgar.

    Journal Articles

    • 2025
      • Buchanan, G. (2025). Professional pastoral supervision: a challenge to pentecostal leaders. Practical Theology,  1–15.
    • 2020
      • Grant Buchanan (2020). Identity and Human Agency in Galatians 5 – 6. Australian Biblical Review, Vol 68, 2020 50-62.
    • 2013
      • Buchanan, G. (2013). L’implication des missionnaires pentecôtistes dans l’aide au développement en Asie du Sud-Est. Social Compass, 60, No. 4 488-502.

  • Scholarships

    Internal and External Grants

    • 2022
      • Academic Conference Funding, $700, Alphacrucis

    Presentations

    • 2023
      • Christ, Crucifixion and the Spirit in Galatians (2023), Paul in his Jewish & Graeco-Roman Context, Sydney, 27 Oct 2023
    • 2022
      • The Importance of a Trinitarian Spirit-Christology for the Pentecostal Church (2022), ANZATS, Sydney, 23 Jun 2022
    • 2021
      • Towards a Pneumatological Reading of Gal 6:14–16 (2021), SBL International, On-Line, 21 Nov 2021
      • The Justice of God and the Church: Theological Ethics in Conversation with the Apostle Paul and Michael Gorman (2021), ANZATS 2021, Online, 05 Jul 2021
      • Zoom for Chaplaincy (2021), Chaplaincy Australia, Melbourne, 14 Apr 2021
    • 2018
      • The Justice of God and the Church: A Conversation with Paul and Michael Gorman (2018), AC Melbourne Research Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 05 Sep 2018
      • Pneumatological Undertones in Galatians 6:14-16 (2018), ANZATS Annual Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 03 Jul 2018
      • Pneumatological Undertones in Galatians 6:14–16 (2018), University of Divinity Post-Grad Research Day, Kew, Australia, 12 Jun 2018

    Engagement Publications


    Book Reviews
    • 2022
      • Buchanan, G. (2022). Review of Wright, N. T. Galatians. Australian Biblical Review, 70 136–138.
      • Buchanan, G. (2022). Review of Neil Martin, Regression in Galatians: Paul and the Gentile Response to Jewish Law. Australian Biblical Review, 70 133–136.
      • Buchanan, G. (2022). Review of John M. G. Barclay, Paul and the Power of Grace. Australian Biblical Review, 70 131–133.
    • 2021
      • Buchanan, G. (2021). Review of Keener, Craig S. Galatians: A Commentary.. Australian Biblical Review, 62.
      • Grant Buchanan (2021). Kathy Ehrensperger, Searching Paul: Conversations with the Jewish Apostle to the Nations.. Australian Biblical Review, 62.
    • 2019
      • Buchanan, G (2019). Review of Paul Perceived: An Interactionist Perspective on Paul and the Law. Australian Biblical Review, 67 109–112.
    • 2017
      • Buchanan, G. (2017). Created Led by the Spirit: Planting Missional Congregations edited by Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier. Journal of Contemporary Ministry, No. 3 129–130.
      • Buchanan, G. (2017). The End of Captivity? A Primates Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christian Ethics by Tripp York. Journal of Contemporary Ministry, No. 3 138-140.
    • 2016
      • Buchanan, G. (2016). The Rebirth of the Church: Applying Paul’s Vision for Ministry in Our Post-Christian World by Eddie Gibbs. Journal of Contemporary Ministry, No. 2 101-103.

    Professional Memberships


    AAOS (since 2024)

    Fellowship of Biblical Studies (since 2010)

    PACFA (since 2024)

    Society for the Study of Theology (since 2020)

    Society of Biblical Literature (since 2016)