Blackout Scripture

Erasure, Sacred Texts, and Apophatic Theology for Amateurs

“The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.”—Michelangelo (allegedly)

Blackout poetry is the process of erasing words from an existing text so the remaining words create a poem. Like so:

Photo credit: Austin Kleon

Cool, you might be thinking, but what does this have to do with prayer journaling?

Because you can practice this technique with a sacred text.

Why?

I’ll give you four reasons in the hope that one will resonate with you.

1. To isolate a phrase or an image for a lectio divina contemplation.

2. To practice a form of apophatic theology (which is about approaching God through negation rather than positive assertions).

3. To defamiliarize a well-known passage—to make it strange and new so you can see it with fresh eyes.

4. To engage with a sacred text in a hands-on way, like Jacob wrestling with God.

Here’s an example. I took a digital marker to Mark 13: 32-37 in an effort to find the essence of that passage for a lectio session.

How to Do it

You have a couple of options: analog or digital. For the analog version, all you need is a pen (or pencil), paper, and a marker. Start by copying a passage into your prayer journal. Then pick up your marker and start blacking out words, phrases, sentences.

You don’t have to decide in advance what you’ll black out. In fact, I recommend against planning in this activity because you’ll rely too much on your conscious mind, which will lead to predictable results that will bore you.

But if you just pick up your marker and follow the nudges of your subconscious/Holy Spirit, you’ll probably be surprised at the result—which may allow for a new perspective and new insights.

For the digital version of this activity, you have options. You can:

• do it on a Google doc.

• do it with Glitch.

I Made a Blackout Text. Now What?

Use it as a springboard for journaling. It might help to consider questions like:

• What does this passage say about God?

• What does it tell me about myself—or what I need to become?

• Does this passage contain any invitations to accept?

I Feel Like These Posts Need a Sign-Off

but I can’t figure out what it should be.

Pray on? (Cringe)

Onward? (Too Teddy Roosevelt-y).

Blessings? (What am I, a grandmother?)

Suggestions welcome. Feel free to drop them in the comments below.