The President and the Board of Trustees of Acadia Divinity College are pleased to announce the promotion of Rev. Dr. Matthew Walsh to the rank of Full Professor, effective July 1, 2026. This milestone acknowledges Matt’s exceptional scholarship, dedication to students, and the meaningful ways he has shaped the ADC community.
ADC President Dr. Anna Robbins shared:
“It is a joy to recognize Matt’s promotion to Full Professor. His scholarship is exceptional, and his commitment to the life of the College runs deep. Matt brings a rare blend of academic rigour, pastoral sensitivity, and genuine curiosity that enriches every part of our community.”
A Decade of Faithful Service
Matt began his full-time service at ADC in 2016, teaching Old Testament, Hebrew, and biblical interpretation. He is known for his expertise and passion for Scripture, as well as his steady pastoral presence as Dean of Students, supporting students through both joys and challenges.
Reflecting on his time at the College, he shared,
“It has been a privilege to convey to students that ADC’s faculty and staff care about them not only academically but also as people who are trying to balance many different responsibilities.”
In the classroom, Matt fosters curiosity and invites students to wrestle with new ideas.
“Introducing students to interpretive perspectives that are new to them and giving students freedom to question something for the first time is deeply rewarding.”
A Scholar Formed by His Calling
Encouraged by his pastor, Matt began his academic journey at ADC, completing his Master of Divinity in 2005 and Master of Arts (Theology) in 2006. After several years in pastoral ministry, he returned to academic life in 2010. At McMaster University, his doctoral research examined the angelic beliefs of the Dead Sea Scrolls community. His dissertation was later published in the WUNT 2 series (Mohr Siebeck, 2019). His fascination with the texts and history of Second Temple Period Judaism continues to animate his teaching and scholarship.
In addition to his monograph, Matt’s recent publications demonstrate his ongoing contributions to the field. Most notably his 2024 article for the Journal of Ancient Judaism, “Divine Wisdom and Knowledge on Steroids: גבורה in Biblical Tradition and at Qumran” and his 2025 article for Dead Sea Discoveries, “What Angel or Prince Is Like Your Redemptive Help? Revisiting the Assistance of 1QM 13:14.”
“What drew me to the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the texts of ancient Judaism is the obvious passion the writers had for God,” Matt says. “How bold claims of closeness to God are juxtaposed with being overwhelmed by one’s sinfulness and, in turn, the riches of divine grace.”
Looking Ahead
As he steps into this new chapter, Matt is eager to explore the future of theological education.
“I am looking forward to incorporating new ways of teaching and learning, especially the use of technology, and how that will change how we do things at ADC.”
He also notes the shifting landscape of biblical engagement:
“Thanks to social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, our world has unprecedented access to biblical scholarship… At the same time, seminaries like ADC have a wonderful opportunity to help students navigate the many different interpretive voices that vie for our attention.”
