Sanctioned to Speak (Part Two): Early Methodist Women Raising Their Voices with Authority

ABSTRACT

As Christian nationalism infiltrates mainstream U.S. politics, there is a growing need to counter false historical narratives. This article is the second of a two-part serial that resists a growing misogynistic demand for women to be “quiet” and “gentle” (1 Peter 3:4) by calling attention to Christian history and tradition. Eighteenth-century British Methodist women routinely made their voices heard with confidence and authority, directly contradicting patriarchal myths that claim holy women act piously by remaining compliant and submissive. Taking a feminist approach, part two shows that early Methodist women spoke out boldly—even when it was considered “vile” or unbecoming—and explores origins of their authority. Specifically, they were sanctioned by John Wesley who published their writing and gave them permission to preach. More importantly, though, early Methodists believed women were sanctioned by God to raise their voices with divine authority.