SCM Press

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We publish books that engage academic theology with the wider church and with society Shortlisted for the Independent Publishers Guild DEI Award 2026

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SCM Press@scmpress· 21d

Have you checked out what's in the sale yet? Includes these books and more: @msamrc.bsky.social @benmfulford.bsky.social

The Bible and Disability A Commentary, edited by Sarah Melcher, Mikeal C Parsons and Amos Yong

A Redemption Song: Illuminations on Black British Pastoral Theology and Culture by Delroy Hall

A Liberation for the Earth: Climate, Race and Cross by A.M. Ranawana

God's Patience and Our Work: Hans Frei, Generous Orthodoxy and the Ethics of Hope by Ben Fulford

SCM Press@scmpress· 26d

We’ve been having a tidy up in the SCM Press office today. Look what classics we’ve found in the archive! Are there any you recognise? Have you read them? What did you think?

Old SCM Press books on a bookshelf including Gaia & God by Rosemary Radford Ruether, Ultimate Concern by Paul Tillich, Theology of Hope by Jürgen Moltmann, Radicals and the Future of the Church by Don Cupitt, The Coming of God by Jürgen Moltmann, and the SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality.

Two old SCM Press books: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and A Theology of Liberation by Gustavo Gutiérrez

SCM Press@scmpress· 27d

The upcoming launch event for Adrian Thatcher's latest book will be online on 5th August, featuring @andrewgraystone.bsky.social and @scornpops.bsky.social Details here via @modernchurch.bsky.social: modernchurch.org.uk/events/endin...

Online Panel
Launching Adrian Thatcher's new book, Ending Abusive Theologies
Prof Elaine Graham will chair the panel and be joined by the author as well as panellists Andrew Graystone and Susannah Cornwall.
Following various church abuse scandals, there is now a growing realization that
bad theology and bad outcomes are deeply connected. Ending Abusive Theologies
attributes the widespread decline of Christian belief in the West in part to harmful,
indeed abusive, doctrines. At the same time, there has been a widespread failure of theology to equip the Church to engage with a world that has lost interest in, and patience with, the Church, while retaining its interest in all things ‘spiritual’.
Time: 5th August 6-7pm BST | Location: Live on YouTube via the QR code

SCM Press@scmpress· 27d

NEW on the SCM Press blog: Graham Tomlin considers the meaning of being a witness. scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/helping...

Northern Lights with streaks of red and orange through green
Image credit: @supergios on Unsplash.com

SCM Press@scmpress· Jul 8

We're proud to have published a range of books within the area of disability theology - including a few on offer at the moment:

The front cover of Reconceptualising Disability in the Contemporary Church by Frances Mackenney-Jeffs

The front cover of Breaking, not Broken: Ableism and the Church after Constantine by Timothy Goode

The front cover of The Bible and Disability: A Commentary, edited by Sarah Melcher, Mikeal C Parsons and Amos Yong, with a foreword by John Swinton

The front cover of the book In the Beginning There was Darkness by John M Hull

SCM Press@scmpress· Jul 1

NEW on the SCM Press blog: Graham Adams writes about discerning the spirit(s) in the stories that shape us scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/discern... @grahamadams.bsky.social

SCM Press@scmpress· Jul 1

.@grahamadams.bsky.social's third book addresses contemporary concerns, offering a hermeneutic of creative disruption and discerning signs of the Anarchic Spirit who destabilizes rigid boundaries and disrupts dominant power dynamics. 20% off during July here: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

"Embodying the creative anarchist tradition of Christian thought, this book helps us to face dominating power and refuse it permanence. It disobeys the fatalism such spirits seek to induce, invoking instead a Spirit able to handle the messiness of identities, hopes and texts - and to treat the diseases that threaten life itself." An endorsement quote from Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University

SCM Press@scmpress· Jul 1

Welcome to July - would you like some new books? Good news! We have them, and they're 20% off all month:

The front cover of Graham Adams' new book, The Anarchic Spirit, in multicoloured text. The subtitle below it is Interpreting the Bible and the World in troubled times

The front cover of Come and See: The Call and Challenge of Cultural Witness, edited by Graham Tomlin and Oliver Wright

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 30

Good morning from @bsasocrel.bsky.social in Nottingham! Come and say hello if you’re around - and grab a bargain on one of our books, 20% off today only (card payments)

A table with many SCM Press books on it and a tall white banner behind it with SCM Press and the website printed on it.

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 29

Looking forward to being at @bsasocrel.bsky.social tomorrow in Nottingham - come and find us if you're there, we'll have lots of lovely books for you to browse

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 25

Five of our books are on offer at Church House Bookshop, for those looking for resources to equip them in responding to the far right: chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/features/far... @hannahmstrommen.bsky.social

The Church, The Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity edited by Helen Paynter and Maria Power

The Claim to Christianity by Hannah Strømmen and Ulrich Scmiedel

Confounding the Mighty
Stories of Church, Social Class and Solidarity
edited by Luke Larner

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 18

Have you checked out For Nothing is Hidden yet? Read the introduction here on our blog: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/conside... 20% off all orders this month - don't miss out!

An endorsement quote from Shelly Rambo, Professor of Theology, Boston University School of Theology. It reads: For Nothing is Hidden is a compelling and impressively cohesive volume examining the intersection of masculinities, trauma, and Christianity. Seeking to build on trauma theology, it exposes the infrastructure of patriarchal masculinity at the root of much religious harm. This volume will have wide appeal behind its focus on trauma and will be a welcome addition to courses focused on gender, violence, and Christian traditions.

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 15

NEW on the SCM Press blog: a Q&A with our author Stephen Spencer scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/qa-with...

New blog
Q&A with Stephen Spencer
We sat down with author Stephen Spencer to find out about his writing routine, approach to theology, and tips for staying focused
SCMPress.co.uk

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 10

Ending Abusive Theologies is 'one of those rare books that can make even the most jaded reader sit up and take notice'. Order here for only £24 during June: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

Ending Abusive Theologies is one of those rare books that can make even the most jaded reader sit up and take notice. A bracing, insightful, and often appropriately uncomfortable addition to the burgeoning corpus of constructive theology. An endorsement from The Venerable Dr Rachel Mann, Archdeacon of Salford and Bolton and Visiting Scholar at Sarum College, Salisbury

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 9

The Makin Report on historical abuse in the Church of England was important, but what did it not cover? At what point does theology become a problem? Some extracts of Chapter 2 of Ending Abusive Theologies by Adrian Thatcher, out this month and currently £24. scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

The elephant in the sanctuary
The terms of reference of the Makin Review excluded any examination
of the theology of John Smyth or of the evangelical networks that sustained him over 40 years of unchecked abuse of children. The review concerned a single abuser; who knew about the abuse; and what they did about it (or rather did not). However, as I am about to suggest, the inattention to theology in the review has serious consequences. This is the gaping lacuna, the missing link, the elephant in the sanctuary, the truth too dangerous to be examined. There is such a thing as ‘abusive theology’, and abusive theology conceals itself. It lies undetected beneath the uneasy rhetoric of self-examination and the wringing of episcopal hands.
It is so pervasive that it is scarcely noticed.

The review reported on eight different themes, none of which were
about theology except for a subsection ‘Radicalisation and the exploitation of theologies by Smyth’. No complaint can be made that the reviewers do not do what their terms of reference did not require them to do: however, the complaint can be justly made that, without examining the theology of Smyth and his networks, the scope for learning lessons is strictly limited. This, in a review entitled ‘Independent Learning Lessons Review’, is already a serious limitation.
The reviewers observe that Smyth exploits theologies, but do not
discuss when theology becomes exploited. This turns out to be of major importance. As if the dismissal of theology required some further justification the reviewers say:
This Review does not attempt to comment on matters of theology, except where that is directly relevant to an understanding of a particular event and to the knowledge that the C of E could have had
at the time. Equally, the Review does not offer a whole critique of the
bodies and organisations involved, or their theology, beyond matters
directly relevant to this Review, for example in terms of Smyth
exploiting theological matters to enable his abuse. These matters are
outside scope of the Terms of Reference.
The review takes for granted that there is a standard Anglican or Anglican evangelical theology, which, together with the ‘bodies and organisations’ supporting it, does not need to be examined, except insofar as the exploitation of such theology may attract appropriate comment. But where is the line between acceptable evangelical theology and exploitative evangelical theology? How would we know when we had crossed it?
Who decides? And since Smyth clearly stepped over the line, where, at what points along the line?
The unexamined tension between acceptable and unacceptable theology becomes even more taut when the review draws on the findings of the psychologist, Elly Hanson, a consultant to the review.

Ending Abusive Theologies
32
Abusive theology
Protestant Christians live with the distressing legacy of hundreds of divided
and dividing churches, many of them now independent from the
old recognizable ‘denominations’. Learning to live with doctrinal discord
has become a necessity since the Reformation. Some of these disagreements
– say among Pentecostalists now or Methodists in an earlier century
– are over doctrinal trifles (though they did not seem to be trifles
among their passionate contenders). We are well accustomed to doctrinal
disagreements and splitting churches. But the difference between abusive
and non-abusive theology is no trifle. There is no optionality about it.
Doctrinal consumer choice is suspended by abusive theology because it
hurts people, and hurting people is not an option for Christians. Abusive
theology hurts people. Arguments in the past over, say, the nature of
baptism or the presence of Christ in the Eucharist cause less division
than in the past, and Christians nowadays concede a certain optionality
about many of them. But abusive theology is emphatically not like these.
Abusive theology hurts people.
A reasonable conclusion to draw from the evidence discussed in this
chapter is that an abusive theology is operating in the Church. It is not
the case that instances of abuse can be rationalized away as ‘misunderstandings’
or ‘misapplications’. There is an underlying theology or theologies
here that lends legitimation to abusive beliefs and behaviours.
There is a ‘set of beliefs’ in operation that allows the good name of the
Church to be valorized over against the physical, emotional and spiritual
well-being of children. There is, in Makin’s own terms, an ideological
version of theology that hurts people and justifies itself by claiming subservience
to the higher authority of God’s will. Reports refer to taboos

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 8

Of course, you don't have to be getting ordained or know someone who is to enjoy the discount... scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/features/ord...

Four titles discounted by 20%:
May She Speak in the Name of the Father by Liz Shercliff, Breaking, not Broken by Timothy Goode, Reverberations of Good News by George van Kooten and Growing Together in Faith by Emma L Parker and Sarah Strand.

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 4

Alun Evans in Evangelical Quarterly finds this 'both accessible and rigorously argued, offering essential insights to anyone seeking to think seriously about the future of mission...a book that can convict while being committed to transformation by the gospel' scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

The front cover of Decolonizing Mission by Harvey C Kwiyani

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 2

These two recent releases are now available in ebook format, and for customers in the US, Australia and Aotearoa NZ, as Print On Demand (for the US, please order via @wjkbooks.com): scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033... scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

A Voice in the Wilderness: Why should we listen to the Church of England? Edited by Joshua Hordern and Graham Tomlin

Assaulted Body, Assaulted Faith: A Trauma Theology of Sexual Assault by Samantha Smith

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 1

In his new book, Adrian Thatcher argues that we should start thinking of abusive theology as a category of theology and suggests the shape of a post-abusive alternative. 'Unflinching' yet 'hopeful': @helenking.bsky.social Order here for £24 off this month: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

'What if the reason for the decline of Christianity is that people no longer find our doctrines credible, recognizing them instead as abusive and dangerous? And how can we find better ways of reading the Bible? Unflinching in its honesty about our troubled heritage on sexual and other forms of abuse, this is a hopeful book which suggests how we can find better ways to read the Bible.' Helen King, Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at the Open University and General Synod Member.

SCM Press@scmpress· Jun 1

June brings these two wonderful new books out into the world: a second title in our Studies in Trauma Theology series (For Nothing is Hidden) and a new title from Adrian Thatcher in response to hurt and safeguarding failures in the church...

The front cover of For Nothing is Hidden: Masculinities and Trauma in Church and Theology
Edited by Will Rose-Moore
The cover shows a curved gap between rocks at the mouth of a cave with light shining through.

The front cover of Ending Abusive Theologies: Beginning Again with love by Adrian Thatcher. The cover is navy blue with three panels like windows in the centre showing a painter impression of a hazy sunrise

SCM Press@scmpress· May 26

Looking forward to visiting the University of Aberdeen on Thursday! If you're around King's College, come and find us in the Divinity Library for a chance to stock up on some lovely new theology books... @drkatiecross.bsky.social @autismtheology.bsky.social @abdndivinity.bsky.social

SCM Press bookstall
Thursday 28th May - one day only!
All books 20% off RRP
New and popular SCM Press titles
Divinity Library, King's College
Between 9am and 5pm
Card payments only
Email or SMS receipt available

SCM Press@scmpress· May 26

It's here! Happy publication day to the first in our Studies in Trauma Theology series (edited by @karenod.bsky.social)

Three copies of Assaulted Body, Assaulted Faith by Samantha G Smith

SCM Press@scmpress· May 15

You can read an interview with Timothy from back in January: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/a-theol...

Timothy Goode, a white man with black round glasses who is smiling and wearing a clerical collar and church robes.

SCM Press@scmpress· May 1

Introducing the 1st title in our Studies in Trauma Theology series (ed @karenod.bsky.social): Assaulted Body, Assaulted Faith by Samantha G Smith. This work examines the intersection of trauma and theology at the lived experience of sexual violation. scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

The strength of this book lies in its ability to connect abstract concepts with real, lived, and painful realities. Smith offers a grounded way of seeing, one that can help church leaders and caregivers understand how to approach, care for, and attend to those who have experienced violations of their bodies.
Stephanie Arel, Lecturer, Fordham University

SCM Press@scmpress· May 1

The first book on Bonhoeffer from a Nigerian context, Being A Disciple in a World Come of Age serves as an introduction and orientation to first-time readers of Bonhoeffer. Order here: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

"A truly ground-breaking study on one of the greatest European Christian minds of the twentieth century from the point of view of a leading theological scholar in Africa. It shows beyond question Bonhoeffer's current relevance to global debates."
Rowan Williams
Theologian, poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury

SCM Press@scmpress· May 1

Check out our two new titles for May! As ever, there is a discount of 20% on all orders this month via our website: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk

Being A Disciple in a World Come of Age
A Reflection on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Theology
Hassan Musa

SCM Press@scmpress· Apr 29

Exciting day as we find out who has won the @independentpublishersguild.com Awards in the various categories! We are shortlisted for the Alison Morrison DEI Award so 🤞🏼

SCM Press@scmpress· Apr 28

For those in or near Bern in Switzerland (and who speak German), there is an event on 7th May at the University of Bern which includes a launch for Dr Edda Wolff's book Tell These Stones To Become Bread. Details in the image/alt text (in German).

Verkörperte Autorität:
Machtdynamiken in der Priesterweihe
Ein Vergleich zwischen der Christkatholischen Kirche der Schweiz und der US-Episkopalkirche
Einladung zu Antrittsvorlesung

PD Dr. Edda Wolff
Dr. Edda Wolff wurde im HS 2024 auf eine Privatdozentur für Liturgie-wissenschaft und Systematische Theologie am Institut für Christkatolische Theologie ernannt.

Im Anschluss an die Antrittsvorlesung findet eine Buchvernissage statt:

Edda Wolff, Tell These Stones to Become Bread - Church As Negative Work (SCM Press, London, 2026)

7 Mai 2026, 18.15 - 19.5 Ur
Ort: Hauptgebäude, Raum 115, Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern
Die Veranstaltung ist öffenlich und kostenfrei

SCM Press@scmpress· Apr 23

If you are in or can get to Leeds on 6th May, Hannah Waite is holding a launch event for her new book, Named, Shamed and Blamed. Come and join her there - details in the image/alt text:

Book launch
Join Hannah Waite for the launch of her new book, Named, Shamed and Blamed.
What happens when faith communities become places of stigma rather than sanctuary? Named, Shamed and Blamed explores this urgent question by introducing the concept of 'spiritual stigma' and its profound impact. It reveals how religious language, practices and communities can intensify shame and exclusion for those facing mental health challenges - particularly individuals with bipolar disorder.
6.30pm on the 6th May Michael Sadler Foyer, University of Leeds. There will be a discussion of the book's themes, copies of the book for sale, as well as nibbles and refreshments.
SCM Press

SCM Press@scmpress· Apr 23

A Voice in the Wilderness is Church House Bookshop's Book of the Week, so you can buy it from them as well as us for 20% off this week/until the end of the month: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...