The Rev’d Dr Ruth Mathieson is Principal of St Francis College (since July, 2022). She has been engaged with theological education as a sessional lecturer in New Testament Studies for over a decade and has ministry experience as both a Chaplain in Anglican Schools and as a Parish Priest.

Ruth completed a doctorate using socio-rhetorical interpretation to explore the textures of the Parable of the Royal Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14). She offers a new interpretation of why the inappropriately dressed wedding guest was cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This was published as Matthew’s Parable of the Royal Wedding Feast: A Sociorhetorical Interpretation in the Emory Series of Early Christianity by SBL Press in May 2023. Ruth contributed a chapter on Ruth and Naomi in the essay collection entitled “Pieces of Ease and Grace”, edited by Alan Cadwallader and published by ATF Press in 2013.

Ruth teaches in the area of Biblical Studies, mainly New Testament, with a particular interest in Gospels. She has presented the Bible Studies at Clergy Conferences in several dioceses. Ruth has presented papers at Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), Fellowship of Biblical Studies (FBS), Centre of Gospel and Acts Research (CGAR) Conferences and ANZATS.

University Appointments

Principal and Executive Director Ministry Education (St Francis College)