Why Visual Story Network Matters

1.
We understand more of the world around us through visual perception than all the other senses combined.
From Richard L. Gregory, "Eye and Brain, The Psychology of Seeing", Princeton 1997

Seeing is the primary means God has given to understand the world and gather information about its nature, including truth about Himself. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
(Psalm 19, NIV)

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2.
“Stories are one of the most basic modes of human life.”
N. T. Wright, "The New Testament and the People of God", Fortress, 1992

Narratives are one of the most common and ancient ways of communicating. Not the only way as the following might as first glance suggest, but a significant way. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” (Matthew 13:34, NIV)

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3.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17, NIV

It is a truism that people through interaction can improve each other, in their work and even their character. The metaphor of sharpening implies improvement: making a tool more fit for its purpose. Sharpening however involves removing metal: implying at a minimum friendly sharing of information ranging through perhaps advice and even constructive criticism.

The Visual Story Network can be for the people of God 1. + 2. + 3: a means to improve our skill at telling stories visually. From the above it is self evident that this is a good thing to try to do. I believe it is also self evident that Clyde Tabor is eminently gifted and qualified to build just such a network. I’m hoping to devote some of my time to see that it happens and invite others to join in the work.

Let the sharpening begin.