A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really)

One of my favorite scenes in the Gospels is when Jesus explains salvation to Nicodemus. Without a hint of awkwardness or hesitation, he employs the metaphor of female reproduction: womb, water, and blood. Yet, in the church today, the female reproductive cycle is still regarded as taboo to speak of, let alone to ponder in relation to our faith. I’m deeply grateful that Rachel Jones has endeavored to dignify what God has architected and to help us consider what we might learn from that design. As the prevailing culture dismantles the categories of male and female before our eyes, Rachel shows us how precious the gift of our female biology is, and all the more for the theology it illustrates. | Clever, theologically robust, and with real depth, A Brief Theology of Periods digs into what it means to be a woman from a fascinating angle. This is, though, not just for women—everyone will find this book illuminating in a profoundly helpful way. | I admit that I’ve never viewed "that time of the month" with anything but disdain. Therefore I was a bit skeptical of a book addressing periods through the eyes of theology. But Rachel Jones did the impossible. In a humorous and honest (yet tasteful) way, Rachel helps reshape our naturally negative view of periods to one that is shaped by the gospel and God’s good purposes in every aspect of life—yes, even in this. | This is a fantastic theological reflection on menstruation (yes, really), full of pastoral insight and encouragement. It’s great to have someone address this important subject: even better that Rachel has addressed it so well. I’m sure it will be a blessing to many women—but let me also urge you to read it if you’re a husband, father, brother, pastor or (male) friend. If you want to care well for half your family, half your church and half the world, then this subject should matter to you.” | I cried in my office when I read the opening pages of Rachel’s book. She described a narrative that had dominated my life, though I had stuffed it down deep in my psyche in the file of things you endure without thought. From huddling in misery at a youth sleepover because my cramps were so bad I couldn’t unfurl to my last multi-week periods in my forties that only stopped with a hysterectomy, my cycle dominated my days for thirty years. Rachel reminds us that our periods are not separate from our spiritual life. Our cycles cannot be separated from our person or the Spirit who indwells us. She offers a theology of a woman’s body from Scripture that is thought-provoking and practical. Our bodies matter! | Embarrassing. Messy. Uncomfortable. Gross. Periods can be all of these things and more, but this book is none of them. A witty, insightful introduction to the marvels of menstruation and how our periods can point us to God. Yes, really. | Surely an essential part of loving others is understanding and empathy. If you’re a man and you desire to love like that, it’s a very short step to seeing that you need to read this book. I’ll now be a little better informed about an area that is so much a part of the lives of the women in my life. As ever, Rachel Jones writes with a wry smile on her face and an amazing ability to apply the Bible to our lives. I loved the combination of humour and theology. | Most Christians throughout history—regardless of time or culture—have had one oft-neglected thing in common: periods. In this energetic and helpful book, Rachel Jones thinks theologically about thequiet drumbeat of female experience and orients us toward God in the midst of things that might feel painful, shameful, or emotionally charged. Whether periods play a big part in your life or no part atall, you will find biblical wisdom in this book that will help you navigate your own experiences or support those you love in theirs. | Two questions which you may be asking. Number one: Why write a Christian book about periods? Number two: Why are you, a man, reviewing a book about periods? I’ll let Jones answer for herself: ‘The incredible thing about God’s word is that it truly speaks to all of life.’ I’ll take number two: because I have a wife. And she has periods. Even if I didn’t, as a man, I have a lot to learn. | You should know that this isn’t a women’s health book. Yes, there’s some biology here and there; but it’s primarily a work of theology, which means it’s a book about God, how God made women, how Jesus is present in suffering, how Jesus makes us clean and takes our shame, what it looks like for Christ to be our life day-by-day and month-by-month, and what aging (think menopause) means about this life and the life to come. | Rachel Jones is the author of A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really), Is This It? and several books in the award-winning Five Things to Pray series, and serves as Women's Ministry Lead at King's Church Chessington, in Surrey, UK.