About Presbyterian Scholars

In 2015, Jeff McDonald had a vision to bring Presbyterian thinkers, scholars, writers, pastors, and other fellow believers in Christ together for a few days of fellowship and discussion. The conference provides a forum to present research on the study of Presbyterian history and theology and to engage in scholarly interaction.  

Dr. Jeff McDonald

Executive Director, Presbyterian Scholars Conference

Jeff earned his B.A. in history at Wheaton College, an M.Div. at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, an M.A. in history at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Ph.D. in history at the University of Stirling, Scotland. 

He authored John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism in Modern America, Princeton Theological Monograph Series (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2017).

In 2018, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society for an "original contribution to historical scholarship." 

Other Publications:

  • “William Jennings Bryan, the Round Table Club, and Religious Freedom,”
    ed. David Bebbington, The Gospel and Religious Freedom: Historical Studies in Evangelicalism and Political Engagement (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2023)

  • "Wilbur Moorehead Smith: Evangelical Presbyterian Apologist and Bookman," Presbyterion: Covenant Seminary Review, vol. XLIX no. 1 (Spring 2023)

  • “Advancing the Evangelical Mind: Melvin Grove Kyle, J. Gresham Machen,
    and the League of Evangelical Students,” Religions 12, no. 7: 498 (2021)
    https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12070498

  • “J. Gresham Machen and the Culture of Classical Studies,” Westminster
    Theological Journal    , vol. 82 no.1 (Spring 2020)

  • "Presbyterian Polity,” eds. Paul Kemeny and Gary Scott Smith, Oxford Handbook of Presbyterianism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2019)

Board of Directors

  • Dr. Mark Noll

    Board Member

    McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

  • Dr. Dorthy Chappell

    Board Member

    Professor of Biology Emerita, Wheaton College

  • Dr. Tom Miller

    Board Member

    Professor of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

  • Dr. A. Donald MacLeod

    Board Member

    Past President, Canadian Society of Presbyterian History

Come to the conference!

We would enjoy having you participate at the next

Presbyterian Scholars Conference in October 2024.