7. Programs and events. In addition to context lectures, Torrey sponsors a number of
events and programs designed to minister to the whole soul of our students. Torrey Theatre and
Torrey Music are student-led programs that encourage non-theatre and non-music majors to
learn and serve through performance. Our Convocation and Commencement ceremonies are
solemn and joyous affairs rich with tradition. All students must attend a weekend Hermeneutics
Seminar in their first semester. Chaplains and spiritual retreats for both men and women help us
keep the students growing in favor with God as well as in knowledge.
III. Why this form of education is better
Few would deny that a Great Books program like the Torrey Honors Institute gives
students a better understanding of the origins and development of Western civilization. But, just
as important, this approach does what modern education and modern thought doesn't do: it takes
Christianity seriously as a partner in the Great Debate of mankind. Through both its content and
its pedagogy, it provides Christians with the kind of preparation they need to understand the
contemporary world, how to understand the Faith in light of the world's challenges, and how to
present the Faith in a persuasive and winsome way. For the sake of this argument, we will
examine the elements of the Torrey model under two main headings: content and methodology.
A. Biblical support
1.
Content
As Evangelicals we work within a tradition that sees the Bible as inspired by God, as the
only authoritative source of knowledge. We see that Bible as understandable by the average
Christian with some serious effort. We also see Christians as believer-priests, responsible to
determine in part through their study of Scripture where they stand with God. We need to impact