Author: John Mark Reynolds

The Torrey Honors Institute is splitting into two houses: Morgan House and Johnson House. John Mark Reynolds, Paul Spears, and Fred Sanders (Professors all) discuss why the split was necessary, what it means for current students, and its impact on the future of Torrey. Click here to listen to this edition of Middlebrow.

On October 8th, Victor Davis Hanson spoke at Biola University on Thucydides: Understanding the Pellopenessian War and the principles which translate from a study of this ancient Greek historian to the modern political-cultural sphere. This event was sponsored by the Biola Marines Club and the Torrey Honors Institute. A senior fellow at the Hoover Institution,…

Homer, Cicero, Calvin, Austen, Nietzsche, and Rowling? John Granger joins Middlebrow’s John Mark Reynolds and Paul Spears to discuss whether the Potter novels belong in the canon of great Western literature. Listen to it here!

On October 8, 2008, Victor Davis Hanson spoke at Biola University about the issues facing our modern nation, and the lessons we can learn from the classical tradition. This event was sponsored by the Biola Marines Club, the Torrey Honors Institute, the Christian Apologetics Department, and Associated Students. A senior fellow at the Hoover Institution,…

Special guest and Potter pundit John Granger joins John Mark Reynolds and Paul Spears of Middlebrow to discuss literary theory especially as it pertains to determining what constitutes part of the Potter canon. Click here to listen!

In light of the recent court decision John Mark Reynolds, Fred Sanders, and Paul Spears discuss the current state of marriage in the U.S. and the philosophical and moral ramifications of culturally acceptable variations on traditional marriage commitments, and what it takes to have a successful and happy relationship. Click here to listen!

Online discourse has become harsh and unhealthy. This is especially true of political discourse. John Mark Reynolds, public speaker and director of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University, will address the problems of internet discourse and what bloggers can do to raise the level of conversation on the internet. Click here to play podcast.

One of the most important Plato dialogues not included in the Torrey curriculum, the Phaedrus covers “everything under the sun.” Paul Spears and Fred Sanders join John Mark Reynolds in a Middlebrow discussion about the significance of the dialogue’s setting, virtual reality, and other important themes. Click here to listen!

As the restful days of summer conclude and are eclipsed by the inauguration of a new school year, John Mark Reynolds, Fred Sanders, and Paul Spears reflect upon the importance and nature of play. Different from idleness–which is recognized as the devil’s playground–leisure not only offers rest from everyday toils, but encourages growth and wholeness.…

Internet discourse is in a bad way. Crass language, disrespect, and dishonesty seem pervasive in many of the essays and comment sections of internet publications. On the whole, there is much about the internet that ought to give Christians pause. GodblogCon speaker and Scriptorium Daily essayist John Mark Reynolds discusses these problems with Katherine Britton,…

A book, a hammock, a cool glass of lemonade, and a gentle summer breeze. There is still time left in the summer to enjoy cultivating the mind and exercising the imagination. John Mark Reynolds, Paul Spears, and Fred Sanders share their picks for good summer reading. Click here to listen!

Shakespeare was middlebrow. Though we at the Scriptorium Daily may wish to be able to take credit for Middlebrow, it was the great William Shakespeare who mastered it. In light of Torrey Theater’s upcoming performance of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” the guys at Middlebrow discuss Shakespeare and some of his most influential works. Mayers Auditorium, Biola…