Nicolas Galvan

Supervisor:

Professor Mark Edwards.

College:

Christ Church.

Biography:

Nicolas Galvan is from Southern California, where, prior to his academic pursuits, he worked for a Christian organization as a case manager for the chronically homeless. During his time there, he developed several programs, trained a county-wide outreach team, and became the head case manager for the city of Perris. He and his team successfully placed hundreds of individuals and families into housing, where they received additional professional care and support to facilitate their reintegration into society.

Subsequently, he chose to change his career path and pursue academia. He earned a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Biola University, followed by an MPhil in Theology (Patristics) at the University of Oxford. Currently, he is pursuing a DPhil in Theology (Patristics) at Oxford under the supervision of Professor Mark Edwards, researching Origen of Alexandria’s background in Greek paideia and its influence on his theology of baptism and martyrdom. Additionally, he has presented his research at both international and national conferences and has taught classes and tutorials for second and third-year undergraduates at Oxford on subjects such as Christian martyrdom, the Apologists, and the so-called Gnostics.

Educational Background:

MPhil in Theology (Patristics) (2022).

BA in Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University (2019).

Research Interests:

Early Christian Baptism and Martyrdom, Early Christology, Patristic Exegesis, Early Christian Eschatology, Gnosis, Hellenistic Philosophy, Greco-Roman Education, New Testament Studies.

Recent Publications:

“Philosophical Death, Platonic Myths, and the Examination of Scripture: The Ideal Martyr in Origen’s Exhortation to Martyrdom,” Studia Patristica (forthcoming).