Billboard
When we read the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), what do we do with all those prophets today in our world; in the 21st century?
Our seminarians took that challenge and this is what they did.
Divided into five groups, each group was given a Scripture quote from one of the prophets as well as the theological tension that prophet represented.
The challenge was to make a billboard design, using no more than three words (drivers on highways only have about three seconds to read). No drawing allowed. The materials provided were two contrasting colors of masking tape, a huge poster board and a wide black marker. They had 30 minutes to create a billboard.
Here are some of the verses and instruction:
Verse Option 1: Amos 5:24
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
The Theological Tension: Corrupt, fake religious rituals vs. systemic, unstoppable public justice.
Verse Option 2: Micah 6:8
“He has told you, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
The Theological Tension: Complicated corporate religious demands vs. three simple, rugged, everyday lifestyle requirements.
Verse Option 3: Joel 2:13
“And rend your hearts and not your garments.”
The Theological Tension: External, superficial religious performances vs. an internal, agonizing structural heartbreak before God.
Verse Option 4: Haggai 1:4
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
The Theological Tension: Selfish, high-end private luxury vs. the complete and total decay of the public, spiritual community space.
When they all looked at me like deer in headlights, I realized I had to give them a little more direction. I used Joel’s words : “And rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Then I showed them how a billboard might look.
This is a blueprint about tearing and exposure. Use two contrasting colors of tape to build a solid, perfect, unblemished outer box (the “garment”). Then, use a physical rip or gap in the tape layout to expose a hidden, raw, unpolished word or element underneath it (the “heart”).
One example and they were on their way. When finished, they were posted all over the seminary.
Now, I ask you who are reading – This really is a wonderful meditation. Would you like to try it? How would you represent Scripture to make it viable, practical and meaningful in your world?
Pat Pickett, OblSB
