A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really)

As a woman who has had many ups and downs on my path during menstration, I was so refreshed by this book!

I have been somewhat blindly-led through period (and later, fertility) difficulties by our culture and it’s medical approach only to have my concerns mostly ignored, morally and physically. I was bombarded most especially by the commoditization of child-conception (during my multiple rounds of infertility…thankfully still blessed with 2 boys so far) and a complete lack of entrusting my ...body to do what it was made by God to do naturally.

I have found peace in working to listen to my body and help resolve obstacles to my overall health as a woman in a way that acknowledges my God-given, image-bearing, and uniquely feminine body and it’s impact on my spirit and mind.

Then I saw this book! I wish I had come across it earlier (though it was just written) as a Christian voice on this topic is sorely missing. Looking back, I see the Christian perspective on a woman’s cycle as crucial to many important decisions in life that I only recently came to realize. The author helped outline the Christian worldview that should underpin all of life’s aging and reproductive processes. A worldview that we much seek out and cling to as Christians in a growing secular world.

The lesson about the significance of blood is one every Bible student should cherish because without a full appreciation for our cleansing through Christ, we miss how hopeless we were without His cleansing. The author’s simple explanation of the symbolism of blood and the transition to the New Covenant are valuable aspects of the big picture of the Bible that any Christian reader would benefit from.

While I had walked the path laid out in this book the hard way, coming to appreciate the gift of my cycle only after fighting against it and controlling it for most of my life up until 32, I hope that others may find it through the beauty of the outline in this book!

Although I’m 10 years post-menopausal, the topic of periods still interests me, and I was curious about how a Christian publisher would tackle it. Still, I requested a review copy of "A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really)" with a bit of trepidation.

What with infertility, severe endometriosis requiring multiple surgeries, difficult perimenopause and early menopause, my reproductive system—including my monthly cycle—has been a thorn in my side for most of my adult life. Author Rachel Jones is a couple ...of decades younger and doesn’t seem to suffer from the same maladies that have affected me, so I wondered whether I would be able to relate to what she had to say.

I needn’t have worried. Jones isn’t just writing to women who get a little grumpy and bloated every 28 days or so (although she has much to say to them too). Where she lacks personal experience, she brings in other voices to help. Her tone is lighthearted when appropriate, but also practical and empathetic. True to her title, she writes of periods from a thoroughly biblical perspective—in light of the fall and the cross, as well as through the lens of eternity.

A good decade after my last period, I didn’t realize there were tender spots in my heart that still needed to be healed regarding this topic. The entire book is good, but I found the chapter titled “So Much Pain” to be especially cathartic and encouraging.

If you struggle with your periods (or, like me, struggled mightily with them in the past), I highly recommend this little pink book.

This book was really helpful and answered several questions I had about periods. I enjoyed her clear research and well thought out responses to commonly asked questions/Bible passages (i.e, Lev 15). She did a really good job of being gracious, allowing for Christian freedom in answering some questions, and being hopeful!