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Nicholas J. Zola Faculty Profile

Nicholas J. Zola

Associate Professor of Religion
Religion and Philosophy Division, Seaver College
APC 256
310.506.4736

Biography

Nick Zola was born in San Diego, CA, and has lived in Massachusetts, Germany, Texas, Illinois, and now back in California (in that order). He was proud to be part of the first graduating class of Olin College of Engineering, after which he took the very natural step of pursuing biblical studies. His teaching and research interests include biblical manuscripts, New Testament textual criticism, the development of the biblical canon, canonical and non-canonical gospels, and Tatian's Diatessaron (a second-century gospel harmony). He is passionate about sushi, dark chocolate, and running (so that he can eat more sushi and dark chocolate).

Education

  • PhD, Religion, Concentration in Biblical Studies (New Testament), Baylor University, 2014
  • MA, New Testament, Abilene Christian University, 2009
  • BS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, 2006

 

  • Co-editor (with Matthew Crawford) of The Gospel of Tatian: Exploring the Nature and Text of the Diatessaron. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2019.
  • "The Use of Tatian's Diatessaron in the Textual Criticism of the Gospels and the Future of Diatessaronic Studies." Pages 191–237 in The Gospel of Tatian: Exploring the Nature and Text of the Diatessaron. Edited by Matthew C. Crawford and Nicholas J. Zola. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2019.
  • "Jude, Introduction and Study Notes." Pages 1580–83 in Baylor Annotated Study Bible. Edited by W. H. Bellinger, Jr. and Todd D. Still. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2019.
  • Translator of the original French article: Jacqueline Lagrée, "Stoicism and Christianity: From Collusion to Distortion." Perspectives in Religious Studies 45 (2018): 473–90.
  • "Evangelizing Tatian: The Diatessaron's Place in the Emergence of the Fourfold Gospel Canon." Perspectives in Religious Studies 43 (2016): 399 - 414.
  • "Why Are There Verses Missing from My Bible? The Emergence of Verse Numbers in the New Testament." Restoration Quarterly 54:4 (2012): 233-45.
  • "'The One Who Eats My Bread Has Lifted His Heel against Me': Psalm 41:10 in 1QHa 13.25-26 and John 13:18." Perspectives in Religious Studies 37 (2010): 407-19.
  • Glazer Institute for Jewish Studies, Teaching Grant (2020)
  • Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative (AYURI) Award, Pepperdine University (2017-2019)
  • Presidential Scholar, Baylor University (2009-2014)
  • Glenn O. and Martell B. Hillburn Endowed Graduate Research Scholarship (2013)
  • "COC & ICOC: The Rift and the Repair." Presented at Harbor (Pepperdine Bible Lectures). Malibu, Calif., 3 May, 2019. (co-taught with Douglas Jacoby)
  • Convener of the session "Thinking of a PhD? A Panel of Predecessors" at the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Johnson City, Tenn., 5 April, 2019.
  • Invited Panel Member for the Wabash Center Next Steps Teaching Initiative at Baylor University. Waco, Tex., 26 March, 2019.
  • "What Happened between the Old and New Testaments? (or Why the 'Silent Years' Were Not So Silent)." Presented at Harbor (Pepperdine Bible Lectures). Malibu, Calif., 4 May, 2018.
  • Co-convener (with Matthew Crawford) of the session "Tatian and the Text of the Gospels" in the Development of Early Christian Theology section of the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting. Boston, Mass., 18 November, 2017.
  • "Tatian's Diatessaron in Latin: Readings from Codex Fuldensis." Presented at the annual meeting of the SBL. Boston, Mass., 18 November, 2017.
  • Convener of the session "How We Remember and How We Forget: The Neuroscience of Memory and Some Applications" at the Christian Scholars' Conference. Nashville, Tenn., 7 June, 2017.
  • Co-convener (with Matthew Crawford) of the session "The Diatessaron and the Fourfold Gospel" in the Development of Early Christian Theology section of the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting. San Antonio, Tex., 21 November, 2016.
  • "The Gospel on the Ground: Wrestling with Reconciliation." Workshop co-led with C. Nolan Thomas (Professor of Mental Health Counseling) at the National Student Conference of the Association of College Ministries in Evansville, Ind., 4 August, 2015.
  • "Tatian's Diatessaron: To Supplement or Supplant?" A response to and dialogue with Francis Watson presented at the Second Century Seminar in Fort Worth, Tex., 20 November, 2014.

Topics

  • Ancient Manuscripts and New Testament Textual Criticism
  • Canonical and non-canonical gospels
  • Tatian's Diatessaron ( an early gospel harmony )
  • The development of the biblical canon
  • Second Temple Judaism
  • Syriac Christianity

Courses


  • REL 102 New Testament in Context
  • REL 302/502 Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
  • REL 514 Johannine Writings
  • REL 519 Apocalyptic Literature

Links