Religions (Mar 2017)

Teaching Music in the Reformed/Calvinist Tradition: Sphere Sovereignty and the Arts

  • John MacInnis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/rel8040051
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 4
p. 51

Abstract

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This article shares objectives, teaching methods, and sources of inspiration as I lead 21st-century students in engaging a Reformed/Calvinistic vision for the arts generally, and music specifically. Special explanation is made of Calvinistic concepts such as sphere sovereignty and sensus divinitatis. To conclude, I discuss aspects of a recent composition titled The God of Material Things by Jonathan Posthuma, a graduate of our college music program, whose work exemplifies many of the elements that my colleagues and I hope distinguish the accomplishments of music students beyond their education at Dordt College.

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