A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really) | Rachel Jones
‘A Brief Theology Of Periods (Yes, Really): An adventure for the curious into bodies, womanhood, time, pain and purpose - and how to have a better time of the month’, the title of Rachel Jones latest book is a mouthful… but says it all!
I feel like this is the book I’ve been waiting for, for a long time! A book that actually talks about periods, from a Christian perspective!
Jones takes to heart the maxim: “if you’re a Christian, there is not one area which can be divorced from your faith. There is not one area that God declares himself uninterested in.” (page 10)
For us as women, this also includes our monthly cycle. I love that she writes with humour and frankness about periods and provides a theological framework for something that can seem at best, an inconvenience, and at worst, a source of deep pain and disappointment.
In this short little book (it’s only five chapters), Jones briefly explores a theology of periods, beginning with the incredible potential of our God-created bodies, then fleshing out some of the effects of the fall on our bodies. In each of these elements, the pain, the mess, the feelings and the time-bound nature, she writes of how the gospel speaks.
I would encourage every woman (and maybe every man!) to read this book. I think Jones achieves her aim of helping women to have a more positive (though not more fun!) time of the month as she reminds us that our blood points to the more significant blood of Jesus, and the time when Jesus will wipe away every tear and there will be no more pain.
To coincide with our annual conference, EQUIP Picks are 10 great reads, chosen and reviewed by the EQUIP Women Team for women.
EQUIP21 Picks will be available for a limited time online via our ministry partner, Reformers Bookshop.
A percentage of the sales from books bought via the above link will support our CMS missionary, M.
Meet Karen Lawson-Smith
Karen serves as an assistant minister at Guildford Anglican, where she gets to share Jesus with women and kids. Her job on EQUIP changes from year to year. This year she helped prepare Bible Study material for use after the conference.