Jozef Van Wissem Sola Gratia (2017)
Sola Gratia is a Latin phrase meaning “grace alone.” It is one of the five solas that emerged as the foundational principles of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. These solas summarize the Reformers' theological convictions about the nature of salvation and the authority of Scripture.
Sola Gratia, in particular, emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, one that cannot be earned through human effort, labor or merit. It underscores the belief that human beings are inherently sinful and incapable of achieving reconciliation with God on their own. Instead, salvation is understood as being entirely dependent on God's unmerited favor.
This concept finds a metaphorical echo in Jim Jarmusch’s feature film Only Lovers Left Alive. While the principle of Sola Gratia is not addressed explicitly, the film explores existential questions, the nature of humanity and the characters' reliance on forces beyond their control, drawing an indirect connection to the concept.
The Dutch lute player Jozef Van Wissem collaborated with Jarmusch’s band, SQÜRL, to compose parts of the film’s soundtrack. Among these is a graceful two-part instrumental piece titled “Sola Gratia”. Today’s song is a live recording of this piece, performed solo by Van Wissem himself.
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