This is my first attempt at using this medium to teach. For years I have dreamed of using full-blown interactive animation as a teaching method (see here for an example of one that I tried, but couldn’t finish). Some day I might be able to do that, but for now I don’t have the time or the money to make them. A new idea came to me on my walk yesterday. What if I use the method that all the instructors use for teaching how to use software products, but instead of giving drawing lessons, I’ll give theology lessons while I’m drawing. It’s like having the ultimate white board!!
Hopefully I’ll refine this process. The idea is to keep them raw, unscripted, and relatively short. That way I can just sit down, record one, upload it, and be done. Quick and easy. Leet me know what you think.
Here is part 2 and part 3 of my first attempt.
First, I love the concept and execution. My 4 year old even sat and watched for quite a while.
Second, I love you sharing your journey. I think it is great to see how we grow and develop.
I have two comments about the content.
Why must theism not be a so called extreme? Your tension that you sought to resolve seemed arbitrary. So what if it didn’t exactly fit in the middle of the river? (Not to mention I would have left atheism on that continuum so would not have had a problem.) The question is not whether theism is extreme but whether it is biblical and accurate. Glad to see in your part 3 that is in essence where you end up.
Is God’s omnipresence only an attribute of the Spirit? That is my one concern with your Trinitarian model. It seemed the Father is totally other and the Son is totally localized, leaving only the Spirit as omnipresent. I realize your sketch is limited in it’s scope and time, but it was unclear on this point.
I do love the method and will enjoy seeing you do this again.
James, I’m glad your 4 year old was engaged! It’s hard to express all that goes into such a journey in the confines of a Thketch. Much of what I’m working on is the deconstruction of the theological constructs created within Christendom and Modernity. I know that is pretty abstract. It would take alot to unpack that. Hopefully I will over time.
Just curious: have you seen the Advent Conspiracy videos? They are just words and images on a screen set to music, yet it is engaging, compelling, and communicates well. This new format is similar for me. It is like sitting at a table having a conversation while you sketch on a napkin. At least for my personality, it is far better than a talking head video.
Regarding deconstructing theological constructs, I often find that I never understood the original the way it is being portrayed. So at times it confusing as it seems to deal with a problem that in my mind doesn’t exist. I guess I see anything beyond what is very explicitly stated in Scripture as interpretation always to be evaluated and not held as dogma. There are a few exceptions, like the Apostle’s Creed that have withstood scrutiny in a variety of cultures and eras. So I will be interested to see how you unpack things in the future.
Steve this is wonderful, if I had to read these concepts my head would explode. I am also fascinated by the technology that you are using.
Thanks, Mike. I’m using a program on my Mac called IShowU HD. It records everything you do on your computer in real time. I then bring it into iMovie (a Mac app) to speed up the longer drawing sections. The program I use to create the art is Corel Painter X. I do all my illustration work with this program. It allows me to emulate any traditional art medium. Pretty sweet! Thanks for watching.