The following is an excerpt from the Black Theology: An International Journal article “Menstrual Blood and the Blood of Christ: Streams of Strength, Vulnerability, and New Life” by PhD student La Ronda Barnes, published on June 13, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
In this article I offer a new womanist perspective for looking at Christ’s blood by interpreting its salvific effects in the context of menstruation. Like menstrual blood, Jesus’ shedding of blood can serve as a reminder of our on-going potential for new life, our need for vulnerability, and the strength we gain through community and individual self-awareness and authenticity. Using menstruation as a hermeneutical lens maintains a central place for the crucifixion in Christianity without condoning violence or substitutionary sacrifice.
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