David Mahan, PhD
Director, Senior Fellow
“It is at the level of the imagination that the fateful issues of our new world-experience must first be mastered” (Amos Wilder, Theopoetic). This observation reflects a conviction that has inspired Dr. Mahan’s work as the Director of the Rivendell Institute and a Christian scholar over the course of his 24 years as a campus minister at Yale. In his commitment to serve the university, its students, faculty and staff he promotes a thoughtful, creative engagement with Christian faith in contemporary culture. Dr. Mahan’s fascination with the relationship between theology, the imagination and other academic disciplines has similarly guided his research, teaching, and writing. He is the author of several works on this subject, including his book An Unexpected Light: Theology and Witness in the Poetry & Thought of Charles Williams, Micheal O’Siadhail, and Geoffrey Hill (Princeton Theological Monographs, 2009). His graduate seminar “Reading Poetry Theologically,” taught as a guest Lecturer at Yale Divinity School (Fall 2010), urged students to read select modern works of poetry as theological ‘texts’, helping them to develop skills as both literary and theological interpreters.
In addition to overseeing the programs and operations of the Rivendell team and his academic pursuits, Dr. Mahan is committed to the spiritual formation of emerging Christian scholars and professionals. Convinced that this generation has unique opportunities to sow a redemptive influence in society, he devotes significant time each week to personally mentoring students.
Dr. Mahan is a Fellow of Berkeley College, Yale, a longstanding member of Yale Religious Ministries, and a co-founder of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, serving as a member of their Board of Directors. He and his wife Karen live with their three children in Hamden, CT.
For Dr. Mahan’s research interests and CV, please click here.