Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity

by Ashley Boggan

Learn what it means to “submit to be more vile” for today’s Methodists.

Wesleyan Vile-tality calls us back to the roots of our identity. Centered on the moment John Wesley “submitted to be more vile" in spreading the love of God to all people, Ashley Boggan argues that Wesleyan vile-tality is at the core of who we are as Methodists. As rule-benders, rabble-rousers, and outcast-embracers, those early Methodists stood out and stood up. She traces how that original identity was lost as the predecessor denominations to The United Methodist Church grew and began to embrace respectability over “vile-tality.” In an accessible and engaging account of a fascinating history, these stories of our past call us to understand who we were, question who we are, and reclaim who we should be.

Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection or group study.

Genres: History, Spirituality, Church, Christianity

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Ann Pickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on Methodist history. It is a fascinating little book. Kind of cherry picking some pieces of the Methodist legacy to argue for a progressive and active social faith. I mean she acknowledges when we have gotten it wrong but it still feels at times like cherry picking. I mean cherry picking very much the way I would like the cherries picked, but still.

Based on a famous Wesley quote about submitting to be more vile in the eyes of the church by reaching out to those not welcomed by the Church of England. Which I agree with in measure but I also think the spirit of abandoning all tradition and decorum is what gets us the Pentecostal movement and folks in America just going all the way off the deep end with Christianity, so I mean with measure sure submit to be more vile. But don’t be crazy?

[Dean L.Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

As a progressive United Methodist, I have been looking for a defense of historic Methodism and Dr. Boggan has accomplished it with clarity and conviction. I learned that my passionate defense of my transgender grandchild is rooted in the boldness of John Wesley in supporting the rights of a gay man.

[Michael Bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Wesleyan Vile-tality
Author: Ashley Boggan
Date: 2025
Publisher: Abingdon Press


"Wesleyan Vile-tality" is a books that is centred on the moment John Wesley “submitted to be more vile" in spreading the love of God to all people.

Ashley Boggan, writing as a Methodist, argues that this Wesleyan vile-tality is at the core of who Methodists are - rule-benders, rabble-rousers, and outcast-embracers.

While rooted in historical events, this is not a dry academic book. It is a passionate call for Methodists to relearn the radical spirit of their beginnings and to understand that a revival that doesn’t impact a society’s attitude toward and treatment of the marginalised isn’t really revival but only smoke without fire.

Boggan ends each chapter with helpful discussion questions.

While I am not a Methodist, it is helpful to read their history. Many denominations have lost their way. Boggan points out how returning to beginnings is a way forward.



DISCLOSURE:
I received this book free through the Speakeasy blogging book review network.
I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Andrew Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book’s organization is clear and easy to follow: A brief history of John Wesley and the origins of Wesleyanism, his time in Bristol and how that experience inspired him to be “vile,” an overview of Methodism after Wesley and how it fell short of its original goals, a chapter on Methodist practitioners who lived out Wesleyan ideals despite the church’s mainstream “respectability,” and a final chapter on how Methodism can reclaim what was lost. Each chapter has a clear purpose and ends with discussion questions—perfect for a church book group (I’m seriously considering leading one myself).

Wesleyan Vile-tality offers a concise introduction to the Methodist church, covering its origins, initial aspirations, and key figures, while also acknowledging where Methodists have fallen short. I believe the book can serve as both a reminder and an inspiration for revitalizing complacent and overly comfortable Methodists, while also being perfect for new members of the UMC.

Well-researched, informative, clear, honest, and organized with discussion questions, I highly recommend Wesleyan Vile-tality to anyone interested in the United Methodist Church.

[Randy Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While clearly and unashamedly written to and for the limited audience of United Methodists, it does offer a new perspective on the Wesleyan tradition. By putting a focus on the time when Wesley's habits changed rather than when his heart changed, Boggan offers a vision of new ways to live out the heritage of John Wesley. I really liked the way she invited us to explore issues from this new perspective (even if it can be argued it is an old perspective).

[Randy Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While clearly and unashamedly written to and for the limited audience of United Methodists, it does offer a new perspective on the Wesleyan tradition. By putting a focus on the time when Wesley's habits changed rather than when his heart changed, Boggan offers a vision of new ways to live out the heritage of John Wesley. I really liked the way she invited us to explore issues from this new perspective (even if it can be argued it is an old perspective).

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Secretary of History and Archives in the United Methodist Church looks at where we sought the kingdom against culture and where we acquiesced.

[Chet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars! A must-read for every United Methodist living in this historic moment of our movement. I’ll be sharing this with my congregation.

[Ann Perreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice review of Methodist history and Wesleyan theology! I liked the focus to question our current practices as Methodists in comparison to where we began. Very enlightening!