| Allan Harman | |
|---|---|
| Region | Australian |
| Born | 7 June 1936 Lismore, New South Wales |
| Occupation | Theologian |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Tradition or movement |
Calvinism |
| Spouse | Mairi Harman |
Allan Macdonald Harman (born 7 June 1936)[1] is an Australian Presbyterian theologian and Old Testament scholar. He has been described as a "well-known and highly regarded figure in Christian and especially evangelical circles within Australia and overseas."[1]
Harman was born in Lismore, New South Wales and attended Taree High School[2] and Sydney University (B.A., 1957). He then studied overseas, at the University of Edinburgh (B.D., 1960; M.Litt in Hebrew and Semitic Languages) and Westminster Theological Seminary (ThM, 1961; ThD).[1] In 2003, he was granted an honorary ThD from the Australian College of Theology.[3]
Harman was Professor of Old Testament at Free Church College, Edinburgh, from 1966 to 1974, at Reformed Theological College, Geelong, from 1974 to 1977 and at Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne, from 1978 until his retirement in 2001. He also served as Principal of PTC from 1982 to 2001, and is currently Research Professor at that institution. He has also lectured at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and Kosin University in Busan, South Korea.[1]
Harman served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia in 1978, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria in 1989-90 and Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia from 1994 to 1997. He is a member of the board of directors of the World Reformed Fellowship, and has been an editor of the Reformed Theological Review since 1989. He has been chairman of St Andrews Christian College, Tyndale Fellowship (Australia) and the Australian Institute of Archaeology, and is currently chairman of the Australian Defence Force's Religious Advisory Committee to the Services.[4] He is a recipient of the Reserve Force Decoration.[5]
Harman has written commentaries on Psalms (ISBN 1-85792-168-2), Daniel (ISBN 0-85234-649-2), Deuteronomy (ISBN 1-84550-268-X) and Isaiah (ISBN 1-84550-053-9). He was also one of the translators of the New King James Version.[6]
In 2001, a festschrift was compiled in Harman's honour, on the occasion of his retirement and 65th birthday. Contributors included Richard Gaffin and Peter Jensen.[1]
In June 2010, Harman received a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the Presbyterian Church of Australia.[5][7]