Toxic Shame in the Church

LGBT+ Christians at the Edges of Belonging

Brenda Hopkins

$306.95 $245.33

Hardback

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English

SCM Press
30 June 2025

Christian Churches & denominations; Christian aspects of sexuality, gender & relationships; Gay & Lesbian studies

Grounded in an autoethnographic approach, this book draws from the author's personal experiences as a gay woman and former priest who faced institutional shaming. Drawing on practical theologies of shame, and the work of Christian anthropology, it challenges traditional theological perspectives on sin and human nature, proposing a person-centred model that emphasizes unconditional love and positive self-regard. By exposing and addressing the Church's role in constructing shame, the book proposes a pathway towards healing and self-acceptance for those marginalized by faith-based shaming.

By: Brenda Hopkins
Imprint: SCM Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780334063735
ISBN 10: 0334063736
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 30 June 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Brenda Hopkins is a person-centred psychotherapist, and former Church of England priest. She holds a Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology from Cambridge Theological Federation/Anglia Ruskin University and is a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She no longer exercises a priestly ministry following marriage to Louise, her partner of almost 30 years, and now dances at the edges of Church.

Reviews for Toxic Shame in the Church: LGBT+ Christians at the Edges of Belonging

A deeply personal, psychologically informed, and often profoundly painful reflection on the part that shame can play in the lives of LGBT+ people of faith. Brenda Hopkins does not allow the church to look away from the damage it has caused and continues to cause to faithful LGBT+ Christians, and nor does she allow the church to deny any responsibility for creating a healthier future. Grounded in the theological tradition, she brings us back to the work we must do not only to recognise the hold that shame has on our spiritual narratives, but to allow ourselves to step into a changed spiritual and loving relationship with God that will benefit not only LGBT+ people but the whole church. -- Charlie Bell