Sola Fide: A Parable

Once upon a time, a beggar was taken off the street, cleaned up, dressed in an Armani tuxedo, and placed in a nice white room with a beautiful view overlooking the villa where he was staying. The door opened, and a famous composer walked into the room wearing a white suit and white gloves. He handed the beggar a Stradivarius violin and bow and stood in front of the window.

"You are a musician now," said the composer. "I've done all the paperwork. Your debts are paid, you have a new identity, and bodyguards so that no one from your past will contact you again. I have enrolled you in the nation's best conservatory, as well as an admirable choir. You have performances scheduled at intervals over the next few years, and a final jury to come at the end of them. I will personally teach you everything you need to know about music. So let's get started!"