by Hope Edwards, Class of 2026

An author event featuring Dr. Nickolas Fox and his book, The Heroic Christ: The Hero’s Journey in the Gospel of Luke will be part of Crown College’s homecoming events. The community is invited to the Watne Memorial Library on campus Friday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m.

As a Bible and Theology professor at Crown College, Dr. Fox continually makes lasting impressions on students and faculty alike with his passion for higher education, Jesus, and his personal story. With his new book, Dr. Fox leaves another footprint in the world of biblical studies.

Inspired by his own love of story theory, the life of Jesus Christ, and Joseph Campbell’s outline of a hero’s journey, Dr. Fox set out to create a heroic framework in the greatest story ever told.  Using a historical template, the narrative of The Heroic Christ gives readers an opportunity to experience Jesus’ story in Luke with what Dr. Fox calls “a fresh take.”

Dr. Fox says he considers it a blessing to see his manuscript come to life. He took the leap to submit his proposal for the book in 2023, signed the contract in 2024, and now The Heroic Christ has been released in 2025 and is on its way to being shared with the world. For the sake of his students and the theological world, Dr. Fox says he aims to challenge the mundane, laidback take of Jesus’ story, and instead bring a level of excitement, plotting, and surprise — the way the Gospels were meant to be read.

“There’s nothing quite like a great story,” said Dr. Fox. “At the end of the day, Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah, and that truth is presented to us as a story. That is a powerful thing that should capture our attention; may we never let it get dull or stale.”

Crown Background

Dr. Fox engaged with Crown College as an adjunct professor in 2014. He loved his undergrad experience at Evangel University, in Springfield, MO, where he said his faith “went from dial-up internet to high-speed internet,” and wanted to stay around a ministry-focused environment. During his adjunct years, Dr. Fox also worked at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, touching hearts and changing lives in both professions. In 2023, he began teaching at Crown College full-time, and he is currently the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry, and the Chairman of Biblical, Theological, + Ministry Studies.

“Dr. Fox consistently invests himself in the lives of students and the broader Crown community,” says Dr. Bill Kuhn (1992, 2021), Dean of the School of Theology + Ministry. “[He] helps manifest one of Crown’s core commitments of lifelong, authentic community. His integrity, faith, and love come from a genuine place and are evident to those who know him.”

Dr. Fox expressed his gratitude for the support of the Crown community; just as he is grateful for Crown College, the Crown community expresses its gratitude for him.

Family Inspiration

Though Dr. Fox says he is proud of and excited to announce his new book, he considers his family to be his greatest achievement above all. Since working at Crown, he and his wife have been open about their struggles with infertility. They have leaned on the Crown community for prayer and support for nearly a decade, while experiencing ups and downs and learning to trust in God. Dr. Fox began writing this book, then in May 2024 he and his wife found out they were expecting a child. He worked on the book that summer, and then came back to school in the fall, announced their pregnancy, and rejoiced with the Crown community and with the Lord. Their baby daughter was born in December 2024, bringing a bundle of joy and love to their family. Dr. Fox’s testimony of long-term hardship and answered prayers brings an inspirational context to his authorship.

In addition to his new book, Dr. Fox has published The Hermeneutics of Social Identity in Luke-Acts, contributed to The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words and the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and is currently co-authoring Across the Pond: Navigating the Experience of Doing a PhD in Biblical Studies from a Distance and editing Theology, Philosophy and Severance.