A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse in the Church

Join us for the launch of Dr Selina Stone's latest book A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse in the Church (SCM Press). The evening will be hosted by Prof Gordon Lynch (School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh) and will include an interview about the book and panel discussion with Prof David Tombs (University of Otago, New Zealand). Books and can be purchased on the night, and a book signing will follow.

Professor David Tombs

Prof David Tombs is Howard Paterson Chair in Theology and Public Issues and Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago in New Zealand. David is an Anglican lay theologian whose work focusses on contextual and liberation theologies, and has written pioneering work on spiritual and sexual abuses, and church responses. His publications include When Did We See You Naked?: Jesus as a Victim of Sexual Abuse’ (co-edited with Jayme Reaves and Rocío Figueroa, SCM 2021), and The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross (Routledge, 2023).

Professor Gordon Lynch

Prof Gordon Lynch is Professor of Religion, Society and Ethics at the School of Divinity. Gordon Lynch joined the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh in September 2024, having previously worked at the University of Kent where he held the Michael Ramsey Chair in Modern Theology. Over his career he has won numerous fellowships, grants and funded studentships for projects exploring forms of meaning and value in contemporary societies, with a particular interest in the social uses and consequences of sacred moral commitments. Over the past ten years, he has also undertaken a range of work on historic institutional abuse, with his work on UK child migration schemes including a national museum exhibition and substantial expert witness work for both the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

He has a range of leadership experience with subject groups and networks and served as the national sub-panel Chair for Theology and Religious Studies in REF2021. He has been active in developing national training for doctoral students in the study of contemporary religion and previously served as the Director of the Graduate and Researcher College at Kent. He has extensive experience of partnership work with organisations and professionals including in the museum sector, think-tanks and third sector organisations, digital education and the creative arts.

In line with fire safety regulations attendees using a wheelchair must be able to self-transfer to an evac chair in order to safely evacuate the building.

This venue is fully accessible however, if you require disabled access, please email [email protected] so that we can ensure we accommodate this.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Martin Hall, New College, The University of Edinburgh, Mound Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom