John was born in Herbert, Saskatchewan and grew up on a family farm. He studied at what is now Columbia Bible College and at four universities: UBC, Heidelberg (Germany), California (Berkeley); and Washington in Seattle where he did his doctorate in Political Science.. He has been a professor at Fresno Pacific University (4 years), Wilfrid Laurier University (26 years), and Adjunct Professor at Trinity Western University (16 years). He has lectured in many colleges and universities across Canada and the US and in ten other countries. He has preached at more than 15 major conventions and in many churches in North America and abroad..

A widely-read author, Dr. Redekop has served as national columnist in three periodicals for a total of more than 40 years. He was published more than 100 scholarly articles. His more than 400 news analyses and commentaries have appeared in more than 50 newspapers and magazines. He has won nine national writing awards. He has produced nine books including Approaches to Canadian Politics, also published in Japanese. His book, Politics Under God (2007), also published in French and Spanish.

Professor Redekop has been awarded numerous honours including the "Outstanding Teacher Award" by Wilfrid Laurier University, the "Outstanding Teacher Award" by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, and a "Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada" by the Government of Canada in recognition of advising on constitutional matters. In 1994 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Trinity Western University. He is still very active lecturing, writing and consulting with mission agencies, political parties and politicians..

John has served as moderator of the Canadian MB Conference, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and has served on and chaired numerous MB conference boards at provincial, national and North American levels..He served on the Stillwood Camp and Retreat Centre board for almost 22 years. He has served as moderator of several churches including Bakerview.

Professor Redekop and his wife Doris reside in Abbotsford, BC.