Biography
Philip Abbott is a scholar of early Christianity. Prior to coming to BYU in 2023, he taught courses at Spelman College and Stanford University. He is the author of Sounds for a New World (Oxford University Press, 2026), as well as numerous scholarly articles.
Education:
Ph.D., Stanford University (Ancient Christianity)
M.A., Yale Divinity School (Biblical Studies)
M.A., Pepperdine University (New Testament Studies)
B.M., Brigham Young University (Cello Performance)
Languages:
Classical Greek, Latin, Coptic, Syriac, Classical Hebrew, Romanian, German, French (reading)
Select Publications:
“Divine Diction: Heavenly Speech among Sethians, Valentinians, and Ignatius,” Harvard Theological Review 118.4 (2025): 713–734.
“Perceiving Orthodoxy: Heresiology and the Spiritual Senses,” Early Christianity 16.4 (2025): 1–19.
“Justin the Seer: Viewing Christian Truth in the Second Century,” Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum 29.2 (2025): 224–243.
“Making Memories: Countercultural Memory in Irenaeus, Martyrdom of Polycarp, and Apocryphon of James,” Vigiliae Christianae 79.2 (2025): 172–200.
“Battle of the Bands: The Psalter vs. Demonic Noise,” Journal of Theological Studies 75.1 (2024): 170–193.
“Tasting God’s Light: Saints and the Spiritual Senses,” BYU Studies 63.3 (2024): 83-108.
Education
- Religion (Ancient Christianity), , Stanford University (2023)
- Religion (Biblical Studies), , Yale Divinity School (2018)
- Religion (New Testament), , Pepperdine University (2015)
- Music (Cello Performance), , Brigham Young University (2013)