Marvin Oxenham
5 min read ⭑
“As a scholar in the field of higher education and a director in quality assurance matters, I have come to see that little is more important than the education of character and the growth in virtue. As a theologian, I now cannot help to see issues of character and virtue throughout Scripture and church history. As someone who tries to contribute to the missio dei of God in the world, my vision is to recall attention to this lost tradition.”
Marvin is a teacher, an educational leader and a project manager. Born and raised in Italy, he has worked internationally as a speaker, a church planter and in leadership roles with the European Council for Theological Education, the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE) and the London School of Theology. Marvin is passionate about the connections between theology, philosophy and education, about critical innovation, and about bringing out the best in people, structures and processes.
In this interview, Marvin touches on various topics that are dear to his heart, from the development of character and virtue to his enjoyment of the “sacred mobile spaces” of his camper van and boat. He reveals how he experiences God’s grace through visual art and shares how he’s working to raise a generation that values togetherness.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So, how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
Most evenings find me cooking dinner in our family kitchen with the sunset coming in through the windows overlooking the Lazio Valley just north of Rome. Yes, despite my Canadian surname and British/French/Ukrainian genealogy, I am a true Italian, born 62 years ago in Rome from missionary parents. Tonight I will be cooking melanzane alla parmigiana, served with homemade bread (courtesy of my lovely Italian wife, Silvana), finocchio salad with oranges, oven-baked black olives and cold-pressed Tuscan olive oil, mozzarella di bufala with basil and datterini tomatoes, and a solid glass of Montepulciano red.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So, what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?
As a couple, we have two sacred mobile spaces. One is our camper van — a lovely six-meter Malibu van. The other is our boat, again six meters of adventure, packed into a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) with a modest 90 hp motor. These mobile spaces take us exploring into the world, opening our minds to what is different and relaxing our bodies in what is familiar. They are spaces where we enjoy the sacred company of family and friends. They are spaces of sanctuary and conversation in the unending construction site of our marriage (going on 40 years).
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power head-on?
Missing the broader family net. The natural lottery of life has allotted us to live without proximity to our families of origin. Some have died. Some have always lived in other continents. Some have little interest in being family. In an age of independence, some may see this as a good riddance. For us it is unending bereavement. No grandparents to pamper our children. No uncles to go fishing with. No aunts to come over and bring a soup recipe when ill. No cousins to be wild with. So we work hard to start a new generation of family traditions and togetherness with our children, spouses and (recently) grandchildren.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
In the forest of our lives, work and ministry, one peculiar brand of foliage recurs. It is the foliage of character and virtue. We have seen ministry failures due to character issues and lack of virtue. We have seen our marriage grow as we have grown in character and virtue. As teachers, we have seen that what really counts in educating our students (Silvana with children and me with adults) is helping them grow in character and virtue. As a scholar in the field of higher education and a director in quality assurance matters, I have come to see that little is more important than the education of character and the growth in virtue. As a theologian, I now cannot help to see issues of character and virtue throughout Scripture and church history. As someone who tries to contribute to the missio dei of God in the world, my vision is to recall attention to this lost tradition.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
Mystics in Italian monasteries spend their lifetimes investigating two questions: “What is God saying to you?” and “How do you know it is really God?” I have no definite answers to either question. I believe in direct divine intervention and that He can speak to us, but I also believe that he does not always do so. Many times he leaves us to our own devices as we work out his image in us and walk in the common grace that is our universal heritage.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
Common grace has it that God’s grace comes to us in many ways, not just through Scripture, church and other believers. I often experience God’s grace in art. Last week we celebrated my birthday in a Caravaggio exhibition in Rome, and I was stirred by standing in front of Ecce Homo, David and Goliath, Giuditta and Oliferne, The Taking of Christ….
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?
You may think that old philosophers are incomprehensible and irrelevant. Yes, some are not easy to read, but many have set the foundations of who we are and inspire who we can be. Two classical texts stand out in my experience: “Moral Letters to Lucilius” by Seneca and “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius. Both are pagan stoic philosophers who wrote in simple fashion about things like saving time, crowds, groundless fears, travel as a cure for discontent, progress, quiet conversations, the relativity of fame, accepting what is beyond our control, the brevity of life and the pursuit of virtue.
We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?
Spirituality is embedded in community and relationships. And WhatsApp is my go-to app for keeping my relationships alive. We have a family group that is active every day. I have groups with my colleagues, with my students and with those who have the same camper van and boat. The trickle effect of short messages and emoticons keeps me connected and alive.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
My latest handbook, “Character and Virtue in Practice,” is a vision and an experiment. It is a vision of transformational discipleship that puts the slow development of virtues and character at the center. It is an experiment, as I do not know who will use it nor what effectiveness it might have. So I’m out on a limb, waiting for those who are doing the work and courageously developing pilot projects to reflect back to me. Will I contribute something, or have I just written something? I’m not sure.
Marvin believes it’s part of his life’s mission to bring attention to the value of character development. He says, “little is more important than the education of character and the growth in virtue.” In a world where the celebration of virtue and character often takes a back seat, how can we bring it to the forefront of our lives and relationships? Spend time asking God about his process of developing us into Christlikeness. How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in new ways? How can you celebrate the Christlikeness of others in your life?
Marvin Oxenham was born and raised in Italy. He has worked in Italy and internationally in speaking, church planting and leadership roles in the European Council for Theological Education, the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE) and in London School of Theology.
Marvin publications include Higher Education in Liquid Modernity, Character and Virtue in Theological Education and Character and Virtue in Practice. As a teacher, educational leader and project manager, Marvin is passionate about the trialogue between theology, philosophy and education, about critical innovation and about bringing out the best in people, structures and processes.
