Today marks the 80th anniversary of 黑莓视频鈥檚 annual Torrey Memorial Bible Conference. Named in honor of Biola鈥檚 first dean, R.A. Torrey, the conference is a three day event during which classes are cancelled for students to rest in the word and hear from nationally renowned Christian theologians.


The 2015 theme, 鈥淎lt忙r: Living Sacrifices. Transformed by Worship鈥 will focus on answering the question, 鈥淲hat is worship?鈥 in the midst of cultural 鈥渁ltars鈥 of consumerism, athletics and social media 鈥 and how worship in any form molds a person鈥檚 character. Keynote speaker author and theologian James K.A. Smith, will discuss several topics of worship, including the power of habitual worship and its spiritual implications for Christians.


This year鈥檚 theme is based on Romans 12:1-2: 鈥淚 appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.鈥


For the first time in many years, Biola students will gather and worship together in one location. Alt忙r is the first Torrey Conference held on Metzger lawn 鈥 eliminating the need for satellite locations due to its significantly larger seating capacity than Chase Gymnasium.


In 1936, Biola鈥檚 third president Paul Rood organized a weeklong conference of biblical exposition named in honor of Biola鈥檚 founder, R. A. Torrey. 聽This tradition, taken from Israel鈥檚 weeklong Feast of Tabernacles 鈥 a time of worship, prayer and study of scripture 鈥 became a Biola tradition through the decades.


Each year, Torrey attracts various notable speakers from across the nation, including popular pastor and author Francis Chan, VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer, author Lauren Winner, Saddleback Church cofounder Kay Warren, and Wesley Bible College Professor Sandra Richter.


Written by Aaron Barrett, media relations intern. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, media relations specialist, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.