My books
Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically, 2nd edition
Order the second edition now. The first edition is also available.
This introductory theology text helps readers articulate basic Christian doctrines, think theologically so they can act Christianly in a diverse world, and connect Christian thought to their everyday life of faith. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout and includes a new section on gender and race as well as new end-of-chapter material connecting each doctrine to a spiritual discipline.
“A timely and important reminder that doctrines are not merely ideas to be debated but truths to be done. Jones's evangelical and ecumenical approach to each doctrine is also most welcome: she does a good job balancing the centripetal force of evangelicals' focus on the gospel with the centrifugal force of the gospel's historical reception in many places and times. Practicing Christian Doctrine joins the short list of one-volume introductions to Christian theology that I am happy to recommend.”
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, on the first edition
Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection
Jones’s book articulates a theology of human embodiment in light of resurrection doctrine and feminist political concerns. Through reading Augustine and Calvin, she points to resources for understanding the body in a way that coheres with the doctrine of the resurrection of the flesh. Jones proposes a grammar in which human psychosomatic unity becomes the conceptual basis for sanctification. Using gender as an illustration, she interrogates the difference resurrection doctrine makes for holiness. Because death has been overcome in Christ’s resurrected body, human embodiment can bear witness to the Triune God.
“This book is a must read for both confessional Christians suspicious of feminism, and feminists suspicious of creedal Christianity. Jones convincingly brings together theology grounded in the Church's creedal confessions with a substantive feminist politics. She brings forth something truly new precisely because it takes so seriously what was ancient. It is an illuminating work.”
—D. Stephen Long
Faithful: A Theology of Sex
Many believers accept traditional Christian sexual morality but have very little idea why it matters for the Christian life. In Faithful, Beth Felker Jones sketches a theology of sexuality that demonstrates sex is not about legalistic morals with no basis in reality but rather about the God who is faithful to us. This short, insightful reflection explores the deeper significance of the body and sexuality.
God the Spirit: Introducing Pneumatology in Wesleyan and Ecumenical Perspective
Who is the mysterious Holy Spirit, and why does it matter for the Christian life? How do we know when the Spirit is working? This book introduces the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Wesleyan theological tradition and within the greater church. It covers key biblical bases for thinking about the Spirit, and it seeks to inspire confidence in the Spirit's power.
“A pneumatology at once biblical, orthodox, evangelical, and Wesleyan? Beth Felker Jones's lovely book signals a way past the West's common forgetfulness of the Spirit toward recognition and worship of the one Augustine called our ‘perpetual comforter.’ Highly recommended for teaching at all levels of church and academy.”
—Jason Byassee
Pandemic Prayers: Devotions and Prayers for a Crisis
This short book of devotional reflections and prayers, from theologian Beth Felker Jones, was written in 2020, in the face of the pandemic crisis. These twenty-five short readings share the love of God and the hope we have in Jesus Christ as we face a time of fear, anxiety, isolation, and suffering. The devotions include material from Psalms of Lament, Julian of Norwich, and reflection on the meaning of Christ's death and resurrection. These reflections are a companion for anyone walking through suffering and crisis.
“In Pandemic Prayers, Beth Felker Jones offers reflections and prayers to accompany us in the dark valley of Coronavirus. Avoiding simplistic platitudes, she faces the pain of this current moment head-on. And, with deep wisdom and vulnerability, brings the reader face to face with Jesus.”
—Emily H. McGowin
This page contains associate links.