Meet Dr. Travis Buchanan
Degrees and Experience
- Ph.D., Theology, Imagination and the Arts (University of St Andrews)
- M.Litt., Theology, Imagination and the Arts (University of St Andrews)
- M.Div., emphasis in Biblical Communication (Phoenix Seminary)
- B.A., English, emphasis in Literary Studies (University of Denver)
Biography and Professional Achievements
Dr. Travis Buchanan's Ph.D. thesis concerned relating the mythopoeic thought and fiction of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien with a broad and reinvigorated understanding of sacramental theology. He remains an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the American Academy of Religion.
Since 2014, he has taught as an online instructor for Phoenix Seminary in the areas of theology, New Testament, and writing instruction. He spent a semester as a tutor in New Testament history and theology while a doctoral research student at the University of St Andrews in 2011.
From 2006 to 2008 he served as the assistant editor for research on The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), an intensive and rewarding project which helped prepare him for some of the rigors of postgraduate research.
Prior to this Buchanan served for several years in pastoral ministry at a larger Bible church in the Phoenix area teaching and leading mainly college students, young professionals, and singles.
His scholarly interests are lively and broad, though chiefly drawn toward the intersection of Christian theology with other disciplines, especially literature, culture, and the arts.
Buchanan is fascinated by an imaginative approach to theology resourced by aesthetics and the arts, particularly as found in the thought of "The Inklings" and their works, influences, and associates. That is, of C. S. Lewis and his circle of literary friends, especially J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, Dorothy L. Sayers, as well as influences like George MacDonald, G. K. Chesterton, myth, Romanticism, Christian Platonism, the "Great Tradition," and "Mere Christianity."
Buchanan is married to Jessica and they have two sons and two daughters. What he enjoys most is spending time with his family – dancing, playing, drawing with and reading to his daughters, holding their youngest son and listening to him beginning to communicate, coaching his older son's soccer team and talking with him about the marvelous world we inhabit, and hanging out with and enjoying his beautiful, talented, sacrificial wife.
He also loves traveling and experiencing other cultures and learning about their history, especially in the UK and Europe.
Publications
- Buchanan, Travis."P. H. Brazier's Five-Volume Series, C. S. Lewis: Revelation and the Christ: A Major Review Essay." VII: An Anglo-American Literary Review 33 (2016). An over 8,000-word major review essay.
- Buchanan, Travis.Truth Incarnate: Story as Sacrament in the Mythopoeic Thought and Fiction of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. PhD Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2015.
- Buchanan, Travis."Joseph Pearce, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G K Chesterton. Review." The Journal of Inklings Studies 2, no. 2 (October 2012).
- Buchanan, Travis."Gospel Echoes in Fantastic Fiction: Part 1 of 2." Mythprint 48, no. 2 (February 2011): 3-4.
- Buchanan, Travis."Gospel Echoes in Fantastic Fiction: Part 2 of 2." Mythprint 48, no. 3 (March 2011): 8-9.
- Buchanan, Travis."Echo of Evangelium: The Relationship between Myth, Truth and Fact in the Mythopoeic Thought of J. R. R. Tolkien." MLitt Diss., University of St Andrews, 2010.
- Tracy, Celestia G. Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse Workbook. Edited by Celestia Tracy, Bob Gundacker, Lora Palmieri, Kim Siebrand and Travis Buchanan. Phoenix: Mending the Soul Ministries, Inc., 2007.
- Buchanan, Travis. "Policy Statements of Selected Denominations and Parachurch Organizations Regarding Women in Ministry (Appendix 8)." In Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth: An Analysis of More than 100 Disputed Questions, by Wayne Grudem. Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2004, 703-66.
- Buchanan, Travis. "Translation Inaccuracies in the TNIV: A Categorized List of 901 Examples." Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Special Edition. Repr. from JBMW 7/2 Fall 2002 (May 2003): 67-72.