This is a common question that many Christian women have asked over the years. The concern stems from instructions given in Leviticus 15 of the Old Testament regarding ritual impurity during menstruation. A careful examination of this passage and its context is necessary to understand how it applies today.
Instructions in Leviticus 15
Leviticus 15:19-30 gives instructions regarding a woman’s menstrual flow and resulting ritual impurity. During this time, everything she lies or sits on becomes ritually unclean. Anyone who touches these things becomes unclean until evening. At the end of her period, she must wait 7 days before being declared ritually clean again (Lev 15:19-24). The passage also instructs that during her menstrual period, she should not touch holy things or enter the sanctuary area of the tabernacle (Lev 15:25-30).
These instructions applied specifically to ritual purity laws given to the Israelites. Violations resulted in temporary ritual impurity, not moral or spiritual sin. Ritual purity laws were intended to teach reverence for God’s holiness and the need for blood atonement for sins (Heb 9:13-14, 22). These laws also prevented the spread of disease and promoted hygiene.
Why These Laws Do Not Apply Today
While these instructions serve a purpose in the Old Testament law, Christians are not bound to follow them today for several reasons:
- They were part of the Old Covenant law that Christians are released from after Jesus’ atonement and the establishment of the New Covenant (Col 2:16-17, Rom 6:14, 7:1-6).
- The purity laws were intended specifically for ritual cleanliness to enter the physical tabernacle, which no longer exists.
- Under the New Covenant, believers are cleansed from sin by Jesus’ blood, not through ritual washings (Heb 9:11-14).
- The New Testament nowhere commands Christians to follow these ritual purity laws.
- The church building does not represent the Old Testament tabernacle.
Therefore, these specific instructions were intended only for Israel under the Old Covenant as part of their temple/tabernacle worship system. They do not apply as binding law for Christians under the New Covenant.
Principles to Apply
While the specifics of these Old Testament purity laws do not apply today, there are some principles modern believers can learn from this passage:
- God desires His people to be holy and set apart for Him (1 Pet 1:14-16).
- Reverence for God should characterize our worship (Heb 12:28-29).
- As God’s temple, our bodies should be kept pure (1 Cor 6:19-20).
- While not commanded, a woman may personally avoid church during menstruation out of reverence for worship if she desires.
- If attending church, women should maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
- The church should provide facilities for women to manage menstruation discreetly.
- Menstruation is a normal biological function, not something shameful.
- A woman’s worth and identity is not diminished during her period.
Attending Church While Menstruating
When examining the overall witness of Scripture, there is no prohibition against a woman attending church while menstruating. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice makes believers positionally holy before God apart from external rituals (Heb 10:10). The New Testament gives no instructions about restricting church attendance during menstruation.
However, a woman should have the personal freedom to abstain from church attendance if she feels unable to participate appropriately. The church community should provide grace, understanding, and support in these circumstances.
For women who do attend church during their period, basic hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained to show consideration for others during corporate worship. Most churches today provide facilities to assist with discreet management.
A woman on her period has nothing to feel ashamed about and should continue to participate in appropriate ways during worship, prayer, taking communion, fellowship, and ministry. Her menstrual cycle does not alter her status or value in God’s eyes.
Cultural Considerations
Views surrounding menstruation vary widely in different cultures and faith traditions. In some societies, menstruating women are considered unclean, prohibited from religious ceremonies, required to isolate themselves, and more. However, these practices often derive from cultural taboos, not biblical truths.
While Christians should show sensitivity to those from cultures with restrictive menstrual customs, we must ultimately elevate biblical principles over cultural norms. Scripture teaches that women are created equal before God and should not be excluded, shamed, or restricted due to biological functions like menstruation.
Common Questions
Here are some common questions related to this topic:
Don’t these verses prohibit menstruating women from attending church?
No, the passages in Leviticus 15 were intended only for ritual purity to enter the Israelite tabernacle, not modern church buildings. The New Testament lifts these restrictions for believers under the New Covenant.
Isn’t a menstruating woman ceremonially unclean?
Ceremonial uncleanness under the Old Covenant related to ritual impurity from body discharges, not spiritual or moral sin. Under the New Covenant, Christ’s blood cleanses believers from all impurity and unrighteousness (1 John 1:7, 9).
Shouldn’t women abstain from taking Holy Communion during menstruation?
Nothing in Scripture prohibits a menstruating woman from partaking in Communion. This ordinance is for all believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice. There is no ritual cleanliness requirement given.
Can a woman teach or preach at church while on her period?
Yes, the New Testament does not restrict women from teaching or preaching based on their cycle. A woman is spiritually qualified to minister according to her gifts and calling, not physical factors.
Don’t menstrual odors defile the church?
Menstrual odors should be managed with proper hygiene. However, they do not spiritually defile a church any more than passing gas or body odor from those in attendance.
Shouldn’t women simply abstain from church during menstruation?
While a woman may personally choose to abstain, this is not commanded in Scripture. Believers should not institute prohibitions not given in God’s Word.
Conclusion
In summary, Leviticus 15 provided ritual purity laws for Israel regarding menstruation and tabernacle worship under the Old Covenant. However, these do not apply as binding regulations for Christians under the New Covenant. While a woman today may choose to abstain from church during her period, nothing prohibits her attendance. Modern churches should provide facilities for hygiene and discreet management without shame. A woman’s identity, status, and participation in the body of Christ remain unaffected by her menstrual cycle.