The Dark Womb: Re-Conceiving Theology through Reproductive Loss

by Karen O'Donnell

The experience of reproductive loss raises a series of profoundly theological how can God have a plan for my life? Why didn’t God answer my prayers? How can I have hope after such an experience? Who am I after such a loss? Sadly, these are questions that, along with reproductive loss, have largely been ignored in theology. Karen O’Donnell tackles these questions head on, drawing on her own experiences of repeated reproductive loss as she re-conceives theology from the perspective of the miscarrying person. Offering a fresh, original, and creative approach to theology, O’Donnell explores the complexity of the miscarrying body and its potential for theological revelation. She offers a re-conception of theologies of providence, prayer, hope, and the body as she reimagines theology out of these messy origins. This book is for those who have experiences such losses and those who minister to them. But it is also for all those who want to encounter a creative and imaginative approach to theology and the life of faith in our messy, complex world.

Genres: Theology

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2022

Reviews

[Anna Kettle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am not fully theologically aligned to the views of the writer, I relate to elements of her deconstruction/reimagining of faith following recurrent miscarriages. In this book she offers some helpful fresh perspectives on over-simplistic and unhelpful evangelical opinions about infertility and pregnancy loss ie ‘if you just have enough faith, God will intervene’. I particularly appreciated some of her feminist readings and embodied views on the subject.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich and important book exploring how to speak to theologically about reproductive loss in a more life giving way, and how reflecting on reproductive loss can help us construct more life giving theology. I particularly appreciated the chapter on hope, which is an important corrective to both optimism and 'toxic hope' within the church.