19/07/2026
"I came to Biblical Studies looking to better understand the history and intellectual context of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. To enter the world of the Bible can feel startlingly foreign—it’s a world of Assyrian kings and ceremonial laws, Rabbis and Roman emperors, miracles and messiahs. At the same time, it’s a world shaped by those perennial concerns common to all of us—power and politics, love and friendship, comedy and tragedy, justice and mercy. I wanted to understand both what the biblical writings had to say for themselves, in their own historical contexts, and how these writings came to shape so much of the world we live in now.
"Studying at Otago meant learning from and being mentored by experts in the field who care passionately about their subject areas, encouraging curiosity and critical reflection for students of every background, whether someone is or is not a person of faith. For me, this proved to be an ideal environment to dig deep, ask questions, find answers, and expand my horizons. I particularly enjoyed working closely with my supervisor during my honours to research the book of Job and its reception in early Christianity. The project helped me develop as a writer and thinker, setting me up for further research at the PhD level.
"Since studying at Otago, I have gone on to do my PhD at the University of Cambridge, and have recently taken up a research fellowship at Radboud University in The Netherlands. As I continue to research and teach on the New Testament, I hope to model the kind of collegiality, curiosity, and integrity that I first encountered as an undergrad in Otago’s Theology Programme."
Nick, Otago Theology graduate
