Amy Marga, professor of systematic theology, is the author of “In the Image of Her: Recovering Motherhood in the Christian Tradition,” published by Baylor University Press in October 2022.

In this new work, Marga argues that a feminist, maternal theology is an overlooked yet critical perspective for understanding God’s work in the world. She seeks to broaden the Christian imagination about women and creativity, and in so doing, to liberate actual biological mothers from myths of Christian motherhood. Engaging with historical discourse and practices, she shows how Christian mothers have long shaped their own motherhoods in the context of their faith and particular circumstances.

“Although mothers have literally born Christianity forward through the centuries, scant theological consideration has been given to the maternal body,” writes Natalie Carnes, associate professor of theology at Baylor University. “Amy Marga steps into this lacuna to give sustained attention to the ecclesial practices, artistic representations, theological references, scientific understandings, and hagiographic stories that suggest the shifting roles of mothers, motherhood, and the maternal body in Christian history. Written in accessible and lively prose, ‘In the Image of Her’ is an enjoyable read that also gives readers a glimpse into one of the most understudied subjects of Christian theology.”