Choosing to Preach Discussion
#12 - Images and Ideas
Posted by Kent Anderson on August 26, 2006 19:12
Are ideas more important than images, or are the two roughly equal in their expressive power? Is there something dangerous about an image without an idea? What about an idea without a corresponding image?
(from page 95)
Replies
re: #12 - Images and Ideas
Posted by Keith Whitaker on Sep. 28, 2007 at 13:35
The expressive power of an image and/or an idea is dependent upon two thing, at least as far as I can tell. First, it depends on the individual. Some people seem to be hardwired to respond to a cognitive idea whereas others are drawn to an experiential image. At times, however, either of these individuals may be impacted by both. This brings us to the second factor involved: the Holy Spirit. Indeed, it is the Spirit of God who takes either the ideas or the images that the preacher presents in order to probe the inner heart of a person. The combination of these two factors highlights the beautiful mystery surrounding the preacher’s calling. We use human forms to communicate a divine message. We speak of that which cannot be understood. Yet, God, in his mercy and grace, steps in and reveals himself to us.
re: #12 - Images and Ideas
Posted by dave ellis on Feb. 19, 2007 at 22:52
I think ideas are stronger when they are joined up with an image, just like a great image will usally convey an idea. We should not try to separt these two things but try to bring them together which, I believe will connect with a larger % of your audience. An image without an idea leaves that image open to be interperted any way the person wants to see it. So if you are using that image in a message, people can get what ever they want out of it, and that begs the question if you are trying to commmunicate something then choose an image that conveys the idea that you are wanting to communicate. Ideas without a image may work, but it has to have some tie in to poeples lives or it will just become noise. I like this question, i think I will muse over it some more. Blessings
re: #12 - Images and Ideas
Posted by Steve Driediger on Jan. 30, 2007 at 18:10
The dangerous thing about both images and ideas is that they tend to be fairly open to subjective interpretation. They do not offer much explanation of the ‘facts’ on their own. That, of course, is what many people find appealing about them: the listener is easily able to appropriate the idea/image into her context and find some relevant meaning in it. Images and ideas are most powerful when they are offered with a guide (though perhaps not a stringent set of rules) for their interpretation and application.