Originally from California, Matthew Thomas studied political science at Pepperdine University and worked with inner-city youth in Oakland before coming to Regent, where he completed an MCS in biblical languages in 2012. He is currently writing a DPhil thesis at the University of Oxford, which focuses on the understanding of Pauline theology within the early centuries of the church, and the relation of early patristic sources to contemporary perspectives on Paul. After completing his thesis, Matthew (along with with his wife and fellow Regent alum Leeanne) hopes to continue teaching theology and working with youth in Oakland. Matthew and Leeanne have one daughter, Camille, who is also an aspiring theologian.