In response to the question of vocational formation/next steps offered by Kate Peterson in PhD or No PhD. That is the Question. (ESN Blog. 5/1/2013), Benjamin Shute offers a four part series with insights on Should I Get a Degree in Music? I pray that those considering/pressing on with studies in music will give this attention. Furthermore if you have friends in music who will find the series of benefit, please “share the wealth.” To God be the glory! ~ Thomas B. Grosh IV, Editor.
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When it comes to making a decision of any kind, there is a three-fold pattern we would do well to follow. First and most important is to pray: adore God for His sovereignty and faithfulness and, in that assurance, ask for His guidance in your decision. Second, be open to the possibility of a “burning bush,†an extraordinary sign that God is calling you to do something that might seem counterintuitive by human standards (something like, say, returning to a powerful nation where you’re wanted for murder in order to single-handedly strip that nation of the slave labor on which it thrives…). Be ready to step out in faith if you receive such a call. But third, be aware that “burning bushes,†while I think they do happen, are rare. Don’t go looking under every rock for something you can interpret as a “sign‖ that’s a sure-fire way to make a mess! God is powerful enough that if he wants to give you a message, you’ll get it. But in the absence of a “burning bush,†ask God for wisdom to make a choice that will bring glory to Him. So it is from the perspective of pursuing wisdom that I will turn to our question of whether to get a music degree.
This decision is situated against a contrapuntal backdrop. On the one hand, music is a wonderful gift from God, and as such, acquiring skill in music (or the arts or academics in general) has value in and of itself. That is why Christians don’t take a merely utilitarian stance toward education: it has value beyond merely getting me a money-making job; education cultivates the humanity God has given us, which is an inherently good thing. [Read more…] about Should I Get a Degree in Music? (Part 1): Introduction