Karl Barth, horror films, evensong and ministry: Philip’s graduate studies

Philip Miti is at Wycliffe Hall training for ordination. As someone who is already finishing up a PhD, he is on a bespoke postdoc pathway – that means continuing his research and publishing alongside his ministerial formation.

We asked Philip some questions about his studies and life as a graduate here at Wycliffe.

How did you end up studying at Wycliffe Hall?

I was living and studying in Germany when I came to Wycliffe Hall for the first time. I was in the thick of PhD writing and came a couple of times to use the Bodleian Library for research. I already had a growing collection of N. T. Wright's "Christian Origins" collection and had heard more about Wycliffe Hall through my cousin who has lived in Oxford for a decade. 

On my second visit, I was part way through the process of discerning the call to ordained ministry and used one of the guest rooms to lock into some research. The Admissions Officer (the wonderful Jo Wakefield) had kindly invited me to lunch, I was warmly welcomed by a few ordinands for some tea after which one of the Chaplains, Bruce Gillingham, swept me into his office, gave me a biscuit and prayed for my discernment process. 

My wife (also a theologian) and I both got the go ahead from the Church of England to train for ministry. It was I think the warmth, the character and atmosphere of the college that drew me to Wycliffe Hall. We moved here in 2025 from Berlin.

Please explain a little bit about your research topic and why you chose it. What interests you about it in particular?

If we learn anything from Taylor Swift, it’s that the line between ‘I am completely done with this’ and ‘this will now occupy a significant portion of my life’ can be surprisingly thin. I chose my research topic by desperately trying to avoid it. I originally wanted to do doctoral research on Post-Reformation Lutheran Orthodoxy and the Doctrine of Scripture. But apparently the unconscious has research questions to pursue as well. I am coming to the end of my doctoral research on the implications of Karl Barth's Doctrine of Body and Soul for Holistic View of Human Cognition. Barth is a very dynamic writer and preacher; working with him is never boring. He believed that theology does not speak of God if it is joyless.

Though I have loved working on Barth, I do not live in his study. If I'm not in Hebrew Bible, it will likely be Patristics (the apostolic fathers) and the odd rogue! I gave a paper on Black Horror and Theological Aesthetics at the graduate research seminar in Hilary Term last year: find me if you'd like to think about what Jordan Peele, Monsters, Race and the Church have to do with one another. I actually hate horror films, but it is worth asking what moral codes, fears and aesthetic judgements are rehearsed when we watch them. There was a series of films in the Black Horror tradition aired at the Schwarzmann Centre last year. Much to discuss! 

What has your experience been like as a graduate student at Wycliffe?

It has been lovely to get to know to other graduate students. One of the Tutors in Ethics and Doctrine, Matt Kirkpatrick, has put a lot of work into making grads feel at home. He's set up coffee and cake events and had some of us presenting our interests and research. Last year there were several wine and cheese events, topped off with short and punchy informal academic presentations. 

Chapel life has been a gift. It is a pleasure to engage in morning prayer and weekly Eucharists with fellow researchers, lecturers, ordinands and students. St Stephen's and Pusey House offer a lot to ordinands too, and I am a sucker for Evensong. So far, Oriel and Lincoln have been the most wonderful Evensong experiences. 

What's next for you?

God knows! (Literally). My wife and I are on track to be ordained in 2027... the rest is to be discerned, considered, planned and prayed for. I am on a theological educator pathway which does agree with my parish mindset and academic mindset. So, I look forward to using all of those privileges and gifts wherever I am.