Boethius and the Consolation of Philosophy

June 24, 2011 By John Mark Reynolds

The last of the Romans, the first of the medievals—Boethius bridges the gap with his classic work, The Consolation of Philosophy. Join Dr. John Mark Reynolds and Dr. Fred Sanders, of the Torrey Honors Institute, as they discuss the method of Lady Philosophy’s consolation and its relevance to the Christian life. In the course of… [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Literature, Philosophy, Podcasts

Tweets and Possibility Junkies: The Online "Conversation"

April 12, 2009 By John Mark Reynolds

Since human communication is only 15% verbal, what are the benefits and deficiencies of online communication? Is it a conversation? Or merely information distribution? Does it promote discussion and deep thinking or is it just “aphoristic” and “attention-getting?” Join John Mark Reynolds and Paul Spears of the Torrey Honors Institute as they discuss the nature… [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Culture, Education, Literature, Misc.

Victor Davis Hanson: Thucydides

October 23, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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,… [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Culture, Literature, Politics

Are the Harry Potter Novels Great Books?

October 20, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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!

Filed Under: Literature

John Granger and Harry Potter Canon

October 8, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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!

Filed Under: Literature

"Where have you been? Where are you going?"

September 17, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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!

Filed Under: Literature, Philosophy

Summer Reading Recommendations

August 5, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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!

Filed Under: Literature, Misc.

On Shakespeare

April 21, 2008 By John Mark Reynolds

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… [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Literature