
When the Lord opened Dr. Matthew Barrett's eyes to the truth and beauty of Anglicanism, he did not know God was preparing a place for him at Trinity. As a systematic theologian, he believes God has called him to share the riches of classical theology with students so they may be God's gifts in the Anglican church. His scholarship focuses on retrieving the Great Tradition, with expertise in Thomistic philosophy. As theologian-in-residence of Anselm House at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, he mentors Anselm Fellows through reading the Great Tradition and Socratic dialogue.
Dr. Barrett teaches theology as preparation for the beatific vision, where students will gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. He teaches God's Word with the wisdom of the Great Tradition so students might feed Christ's church with word and sacrament. His scholarship includes Simply Trinity, The Reformation as Renewal, and None Greater. He serves as editor-in-chief of The Journal of Classical Theology and Credo Magazine.
What Dr. Barrett loves most is seeing theology come alive in Trinity's liturgical life through morning and evening prayer and the Eucharist. His goal is to train students to be the best Anglicans they can be. Originally from California, he's a Lakers and Dodgers fan, married to Elizabeth, and father to four Chiefs fans: Cassandra, Georgia, Charlie, and Lorelei.
Dr. Barrett's scholarship focuses on classical Trinitarianism and Nicene theology, Christology and the doctrine of participation, divine attributes (particularly impassibility, providence, and simplicity), Thomas Aquinas and Thomistic philosophy, Reformation theology and retrieval, and systematic and biblical theology.
Besides teaching courses at Trinity, Dr. Barrett is theologian-in-residence at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in Kansas City. In partnership with Trinity Anglican Seminary, he directs a church-based program called Anselm House, a one-year residency where Anselm Fellows read through the Great Tradition, gather for morning and evening prayer, and enjoy meals together in Dr. Barrett’s home for Socratic dialogue over classical texts. Anselm House is an opportunity for Fellows to see classical theology come alive as they participate in the liturgy at St. Aidan’s. Anselm Fellows who are also enrolled at Trinity will receive course credit towards their degree. All are welcome to apply.
Dr. Barrett was appointed the McDonald Agape Visiting Scholar at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington D.C., an award granted to Protestants with promising research on Thomas Aquinas.
Each year he leads a dialogue between theologians at The Center for Classical Theology. He also speaks each year at the Credo Conference in Washington D.C.
He has delivered lectures at universities and seminaries on topics such as: