Centre for the Study of Bible & Violence

For those heading to Boston for #SBLAAR, CSBV Director Helen Paynter will be available to chat about doctoral research and the work of the centre. Message us here and we can put you in touch.

NEW BLOG POST: Orabile Diamond addresses how God’s desire for exclusive worship and covenantal faithfulness, referred to as "jealousy", can be used to control, oppress, or even justify abuse in intimate relationships. Read more: shorturl.at/B4MRg

The Toxic Legacies project at the CSBV explores how harm and abuse continue to impact the Church and the Academy. You can purchase the videos and materials of our two recent conferences, Preying on the Sheep & Scandalous Scholars. For more information visit: www.csbvbristol.org.uk/toxic-legaci...

Read @krishk.com's response to the "Christian Heritage" speech in the House of Commons.
www.csbvbristol.org.uk/2025/07/27/a...

NEW BLOG POST! Neil Cudney invites us to reflect on what it means for our church communities to more fully include persons with disabilities, and how we might “eliminate the violence experienced by those with disabilities”.

www.csbvbristol.org.uk/2025/07/17/l...

Closing out our conference now with a panel discussion.

Now one of our research associates, Carolyn Whitnall draws on her excellent doctoral research to present on ‘Theological Interpretation of Scripture and the “Diseased Social Imagination” of Western Christianity’

Our second day of the conference has begun. Daniël Drost (who presented at our very first conference in 2019!) is comparing the scandalous legacies of John Howard Yoder and Michel Foucault

Now Gale Richards speaking about acknowledging, repenting, and redressing its sins of racism in the Baptist Missionary Society

Back now with our first evening session. Sean Lucas speaking on 'The Purity and Integrity of the White Man’: The Racial Origins and Prospect of the Presbyterian Church in America.'

Next up is Chris Norden presenting his paper: ‘A Place and a Name? (A Case Study in Citation Ethics)’

Our first session has begun! Our key note speaker is Fran Porter — ‘A Hermeneutics of Context: Sexual Violence, Tainted Scholarship, and Putting Theology in its Place’

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

Only 4 hours left to get your tickets! Join us online at 2pm BST for the start of our Scandalous Scholars conference.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

Today is the FINAL DAY to sign up for our Scandalous Scholars research conference starting online tomorrow at 2pm BST www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

Only a few days left to sign up for our online conference beginning on 1 July. Join us as we explore legacies of abuse and the ethics of engaging with scandalous scholars.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

"Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts?"

"Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts?" Join us at our Scandalous Scholars online conference (1-2 July) as we explore this question and others. Tickets and more info available on our website.

Arise, O Lord: A Christian Guide to Cursing with God The imprecatory psalms are, for many, among the most uncomfortable, perplexing, even morally suspect portions of the Bible. There are many ostensibly violent texts in the Old and New Testaments, to be...

HUGE congrats to Trevor Laurence on his newest book: Arise, O Lord: A Christian Guide to Cursing with God.

athanasiuspress.org/products/ari...

TONIGHT: Online MA Information Meeting
Join us tonight at 7pm BST to find out more about our MA program from CSBV Director Helen Paynter and our Director of Operations, Ashley Hibbard. Message us or comment below so we can send the zoom link.

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

📣 Conference Update: Date Change | July 1-2 🎉

The event has been shortened by one day, and as a result, ticket prices have been reduced. The two days will be filled with amazing speakers, so you’ll still get a full experience — now at a lower cost.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

There's still time to sign up for our annual research conference! Join us online, 1-3 July as we explore legacies of abuse, the ethics of engagement with scandalous scholars, and whether research can be considered tainted by the wrongful acts of an author.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

⏰ ONE WEEK LEFT ⏰

Join us online for our MA information evening and find out if post graduate studies in Bible and Violence is right for you.

Join us at our online research conference, Scandalous Scholars, as we explore how to responsibly and ethically engage the problematic and tainted scholarship of the past. Drop us a message or see link below for tickets and more information. www.csbvbristol.org.uk/2025-confere...

The academic study of the Bible and theology is filled with problematic scholars including sexual predators and literal N*zis. But their contributions to the academy have an enduring and often unseen influence on contemporary scholarship. 1/2

It allows for questions and dialogue with students and tutors from all over . . . A great investment in my practice of faith and fellowship with others. Thank you all" — Leonie

3/3

Hear from one of our students about the program:
“This course on Bible and Violence is opening up areas I have longed to ponder. It is growing my faith and my ability to understand as well as challenging my standpoint . . . 2/3

Want to explore the Bible and Violence at a deeper level? Our Online Masters degree might be right for you! If you want to learn more about this opportunity, come along to our online information session on 16 June at 7pm. Message us or comment below to let us know you can make it! 1/3

DM us or comment bellow to register your interest. More info is available on our website:

www.csbvbristol.org.uk/study-with-u...

Interested in postgraduate studies and want to learn more about the Bible and Violence? Come along to our Online MA information evening on 16 June at 7pm BST. CSBV Director Helen Paynter and Director of Operations Ashley Hibbard will be available to answer your questions.

Scandalous Scholars: Is there rightful use beyond wrongful acts? Conference The Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, in partnership with the Cateclesia Institute, announces its 7th annual research conference.

Really excited for our next online conference coming this summer. Join us as we explore scandolous scholars and their messy impact on scholarship and faith. Tickets and more info below.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scandalous...

Ashley Hibbard speaking on stage at the conference

Final day of “Preying on the Sheep”!

First up is Ashley Hibbard, the operations director for @csbibleviolence.bsky.social speaking about a theological framework for holding on to faith.