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Queering Wesley, Queering the Church
Fifty years after Stonewall, the experiences of LGBTQ+ Christians are--rightfully--beginning to be received with interest by their churches. Queering Wesley, Queering the Church presents a prototype for thinking about Wesleyan holiness as an expansive openness to the love and grace of God in queer Christian lives rather than the limiting and restrictive legalism that is sometimes found in Wesleyan theology and praxis. This inventive project consists of queer readings of ten John Wesley sermons. Reading these sermons from a queer perspective offers the church a fresh paradigm for theological innovation, while remaining in line with the tradition and legacy of Wesley that is so central and generative to Wesleyan churches. Arguing that a coherent line of thought can be drawn from Wesley's conception of holiness to the queer, holy lives of LGBTQ+ Christians, Queering Wesley, Queering the Church playfully utilizes queer theory in a way that is fully compatible with Wesleyan teaching. This book aims to be a first step in seriously considering the theological voices of LGBTQ+ Christians in the Wesleyan tradition as a valuable asset to a vital church.
146 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2021
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165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 28, 2021
I approached this book cautiously, thinking it would be an ahistorical attempt to make John Wesley into something he would not recognize. Instead, I found a set of refreshing readings of Wesley's sermons that bring the methods & insights of Queer Theology to this important theological voice. Be sure to read Osinski's introduction carefully to understand what this project is and is not. You would be hard-pressed to recast Wesley himself as a champion of LGBTQ+ identities. But Osinski does a terrific job showing us how Wesley's preaching was, in some ways, queer for its time, and that in his sermons we can at least find a warrant for more expansive and creative theological exploration.
February 12, 2023
Dense but thought provoking
I found the book to be thought provoking. Our Sunday School class used this as a lesson series and it offers helpful perspective on how LGBTQ folks and others frequent left out of mainstream evangelical Christianity could reread some well know scripture passages and lesser known Wesley sermons.
It definitely starts off strong and then gets a little redundant, but it’s a short enough read where that’s not a huge deal. Part of the reason is that once you open your mind to the contradictions and vagueness in scripture and Wesley’s writing as discussed in the first chapters the topics in the later chapters don’t seem as big of a leap as they would if each chapter was isolated by itself.
I found the book to be thought provoking. Our Sunday School class used this as a lesson series and it offers helpful perspective on how LGBTQ folks and others frequent left out of mainstream evangelical Christianity could reread some well know scripture passages and lesser known Wesley sermons.
It definitely starts off strong and then gets a little redundant, but it’s a short enough read where that’s not a huge deal. Part of the reason is that once you open your mind to the contradictions and vagueness in scripture and Wesley’s writing as discussed in the first chapters the topics in the later chapters don’t seem as big of a leap as they would if each chapter was isolated by itself.
October 4, 2025
This was my first time really attempting to dive into any kind of Wesleyan theology, and I really enjoyed it. Quite a thinker! Osinski presents some well-researched, enlightening perspectives on how embracing queer life in the church is not only compatible with but can enhance and enrich spirituality and holiness (something that is defined by Wesley as leading with radical love for God and neighbor in all areas of life). Each chapter is an analysis of a different one of Wesley’s sermons, so some were more interesting to me than others, but overall very educational and inspiring!
May 23, 2024
This is everything and more! Not only says all the right things, but says them in an absolutely fabulously fun way!
February 25, 2023
This book was a great conversation starter and I highly recommend it for a small group or Sunday school class. We are reminded that John Wesley, scripture and our faith should move us to love. We are encouraged to be curious and open, ask questions and explore different theories or lenses of interpretation. The book helped me think differently about pride, sin, grace, pleasure, bodies, relationships, community and more.
There are so many parts I have underlined and highlighted, but Osinski sums it up well “That God is love, for Wesley, means that God is open to the fullness of each human person, that God accepts and holds all of who we are, allowing us our autonomy and freedom without threatening, manipulating or strong-arming us. Real love requires freedom.”
There are so many parts I have underlined and highlighted, but Osinski sums it up well “That God is love, for Wesley, means that God is open to the fullness of each human person, that God accepts and holds all of who we are, allowing us our autonomy and freedom without threatening, manipulating or strong-arming us. Real love requires freedom.”
August 29, 2021
Speaking as a Queer Pentecostal, this book is astonishing. Wesley is a progenitor also of Pentecostal holiness traditions, and so it was a joy to read theologically and theoretically sophisticated commentaries on his sermons. It is a confirmation of the practical usefulness of my own work and conviction: The Christian story is Queer at its heart, and one of many reasons we know this is by the faithful testimonies of LGBTQ+ Christians.
It seems to me that Osinki, while being unafraid to name harm, writes from the deep conviction that queerness adds to the Church’s (always multiple and juicy) joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What can I say except, “Hallelujah!”
It seems to me that Osinki, while being unafraid to name harm, writes from the deep conviction that queerness adds to the Church’s (always multiple and juicy) joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What can I say except, “Hallelujah!”
February 14, 2023
This is a good and challenging read. It’s interesting to reflect on Wesley’s sermon from a queer lens, with Osinski openly reading against Wesley at times. This kind of scholarship is much needed within the Wesleyan family. Do I agree with all of it? No. But neither is that necessary. This volume made me think and THAT is good. For me, the most influential essay is the reflection on Wesley’s sermon, The New Birth, connecting being born of the Spirit with the queer person ‘coming out.’ I’ll never think of that message in the same way.
December 28, 2023
the first part was really good but then you lost me at newton and quantum physics and i couldn’t get ‘back in’ for the last couple chapters
August 24, 2021
This book is great. It has a lot of value even if you don't know much about Wesley's teachings (as I don't) or if you want an example of a queer reading of the Bible and common Chriwtian beliefs. It was excellent. Definitely worth a second read.
June 3, 2025
The queering of Wesleyan theology is only really just getting under way, and Keegan Osinski’s compact little book is an excellent start. Taking a representative sample of ten of John Wesley’s sermons (including ‘The Circumcision of the Heart,’ ‘A Caution against Bigotry,’ ‘The Imperfection of Human Knowledge,’ and ‘On Charity’) Osinski applies a creative and insightful queer reading that is theologically astute and often delightfully written. Where one irate reviewer on Twitter saw only ‘lurid leaps of speculative nonsense,’ I encountered thoughtful analysis, rich in insight, and passionate in its advocacy for queer Christians in the Wesleyan family.
Osinski is a member of the Church of the Nazarene, a denomination in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, and this book is all the more valuable for its solid grasp of the theology of that tradition – such characteristic Wesleyan themes as the transformative power of the new birth, the universality of divine grace, and the centrality of love in sanctification come through very clearly, well-grounded in John Wesley and in the wider Wesleyan tradition. I cannot help but wonder whether one contributing factor to the disquiet about this book is that the author is a librarian without a PhD who has written a book as good as many written by tenured professors.
The author is aware, of course, that, as an eighteenth-century Anglican priest, Wesley held to views on sexuality that were typical of his time. However, she makes her method of reading Wesley very clear. ‘Reading Wesley as Wesleyans means we read dynamically, seeing his words not as unmoveable foundation but as a springy jumping-off point that allows us to integrate more fully the faith of our tradition and the lives we live today.’ (pp. 129-130). A few examples of the author’s insights may help give a sense of the book’s approach. In discussing the sermon ‘The New Birth,’ Osinski asks what would happen if, instead of being ‘an agent of the degradation of LGBTQI+ life, forcing queers into the lonely and unloving place of self-hate and self-harm,’ the church acted as ‘a midwife in the ushering in of a New Birth of LGBTQI+ people, helping them to come out and embrace a life of righteousness blessed by the grace of God.’ (p. 24)
Wesley often encountered people in his own day who denied the possibility of Christian perfection, yet he was always resistant to any limitations that might be placed on divine grace. He affirmed the doctrine of total depravity (modified somewhat by his doctrine of prevenient grace) but emphasised divine grace as triumphing over human limitations, holding a pessimism of nature and an optimism of grace. Osinski asks, ‘Why should holiness not manifest in LGBTQI+ people just as readily as in straight, cisgender folks? ... If … holiness [is] a result of the movement of the Spirit and the instantiation of perfect love, why would [some] want to deny this to LGBTQI+ people? Why would they resist the movement of the Spirit?’ (p. 46)
In his sermon ‘Of the Church,’ Wesley conceded that the ‘oneness’ of the church was not a simple uniformity of doctrine, belief, or practice, writing, ‘I dare not exclude from the church catholic all those congregations in which any unscriptural doctrines … are sometimes, yeah, frequently preached.’ Osinski observes that this Wesleyan understanding of church unity as containing doctrinal diversity emerges, at least in part, because of what Wesley called ‘the imperfection of human knowledge.’ She asks whether we should think of the church not as a monolithic Oneness of belief but rather as ‘a centred set: a diversity of people, with a diversity of beliefs, drawn toward the multiplicitous Christ who is God incarnate.’ (p. 125) It is pointless to ask whether John Wesley himself would have accepted so much theological diversity among Methodists, but clearly such an openness to difference, anchored in the Christlike love of God and neighbour, is a logical outcome of his ideal of a ‘Catholic spirit.’ Conservative Methodists sometimes refer to Wesley ‘rolling in his grave’ over queer inclusion but this is to mistake what it means to be faithful to a tradition. A Wesleyan theologian does not simply ‘say what John Wesley said.’ Rather, key theological insights of Wesley are to be applied to new and presenting problems, drawing on ancient wisdom to address contemporary questions.
The affirming stance taken in the book will no doubt offend some readers, who will also bristle at the occasional use of profanity, and at the positive (and often playful) descriptions of queer erotic pleasure as a gift of divine grace to be embraced with gratitude. All genuine theological gains in the history of the church have been creatively offensive, disruptive, and provocative. If you don’t think this is true, you haven’t read Athanasius, Luther, or Kierkegaard. Even the apostle Paul set out a radically new set of religious insights that disrupted the church with a message of inclusion that was frightening and forced a rethink on the work of the Spirit in determining who was in and who was out. For those in the Wesleyan tradition (and many besides), Keegan Osinski’s book is also disruptive and promising in its potential. It is offered, in the author’s own words, ‘giddy with anticipation … about the possibilities for queer Wesleyans and the Wesleyan churches as they begin to collaborate in the holy love we are called to in Jesus Christ [resulting in the shaping of] a lovely and just and beautiful world.’ In a church and world often marked by division over LGBTQI+ inclusion that seems a genuine optimism of grace.
Osinski is a member of the Church of the Nazarene, a denomination in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, and this book is all the more valuable for its solid grasp of the theology of that tradition – such characteristic Wesleyan themes as the transformative power of the new birth, the universality of divine grace, and the centrality of love in sanctification come through very clearly, well-grounded in John Wesley and in the wider Wesleyan tradition. I cannot help but wonder whether one contributing factor to the disquiet about this book is that the author is a librarian without a PhD who has written a book as good as many written by tenured professors.
The author is aware, of course, that, as an eighteenth-century Anglican priest, Wesley held to views on sexuality that were typical of his time. However, she makes her method of reading Wesley very clear. ‘Reading Wesley as Wesleyans means we read dynamically, seeing his words not as unmoveable foundation but as a springy jumping-off point that allows us to integrate more fully the faith of our tradition and the lives we live today.’ (pp. 129-130). A few examples of the author’s insights may help give a sense of the book’s approach. In discussing the sermon ‘The New Birth,’ Osinski asks what would happen if, instead of being ‘an agent of the degradation of LGBTQI+ life, forcing queers into the lonely and unloving place of self-hate and self-harm,’ the church acted as ‘a midwife in the ushering in of a New Birth of LGBTQI+ people, helping them to come out and embrace a life of righteousness blessed by the grace of God.’ (p. 24)
Wesley often encountered people in his own day who denied the possibility of Christian perfection, yet he was always resistant to any limitations that might be placed on divine grace. He affirmed the doctrine of total depravity (modified somewhat by his doctrine of prevenient grace) but emphasised divine grace as triumphing over human limitations, holding a pessimism of nature and an optimism of grace. Osinski asks, ‘Why should holiness not manifest in LGBTQI+ people just as readily as in straight, cisgender folks? ... If … holiness [is] a result of the movement of the Spirit and the instantiation of perfect love, why would [some] want to deny this to LGBTQI+ people? Why would they resist the movement of the Spirit?’ (p. 46)
In his sermon ‘Of the Church,’ Wesley conceded that the ‘oneness’ of the church was not a simple uniformity of doctrine, belief, or practice, writing, ‘I dare not exclude from the church catholic all those congregations in which any unscriptural doctrines … are sometimes, yeah, frequently preached.’ Osinski observes that this Wesleyan understanding of church unity as containing doctrinal diversity emerges, at least in part, because of what Wesley called ‘the imperfection of human knowledge.’ She asks whether we should think of the church not as a monolithic Oneness of belief but rather as ‘a centred set: a diversity of people, with a diversity of beliefs, drawn toward the multiplicitous Christ who is God incarnate.’ (p. 125) It is pointless to ask whether John Wesley himself would have accepted so much theological diversity among Methodists, but clearly such an openness to difference, anchored in the Christlike love of God and neighbour, is a logical outcome of his ideal of a ‘Catholic spirit.’ Conservative Methodists sometimes refer to Wesley ‘rolling in his grave’ over queer inclusion but this is to mistake what it means to be faithful to a tradition. A Wesleyan theologian does not simply ‘say what John Wesley said.’ Rather, key theological insights of Wesley are to be applied to new and presenting problems, drawing on ancient wisdom to address contemporary questions.
The affirming stance taken in the book will no doubt offend some readers, who will also bristle at the occasional use of profanity, and at the positive (and often playful) descriptions of queer erotic pleasure as a gift of divine grace to be embraced with gratitude. All genuine theological gains in the history of the church have been creatively offensive, disruptive, and provocative. If you don’t think this is true, you haven’t read Athanasius, Luther, or Kierkegaard. Even the apostle Paul set out a radically new set of religious insights that disrupted the church with a message of inclusion that was frightening and forced a rethink on the work of the Spirit in determining who was in and who was out. For those in the Wesleyan tradition (and many besides), Keegan Osinski’s book is also disruptive and promising in its potential. It is offered, in the author’s own words, ‘giddy with anticipation … about the possibilities for queer Wesleyans and the Wesleyan churches as they begin to collaborate in the holy love we are called to in Jesus Christ [resulting in the shaping of] a lovely and just and beautiful world.’ In a church and world often marked by division over LGBTQI+ inclusion that seems a genuine optimism of grace.
October 19, 2021
In the conclusion to this accessible yet academic work on reading Wesley through a queer lens, Osinski mentions that John Wesley was not a systematic theologian. This is acknowledged among Wesleyan scholars for Wesley himself was often enigmatic. As Osinski writes, "Theology and spirituality and the material stuff of life itself are far too messy and sticky and downright weird for any of it to be domesticated into a forthright, airtight structure." (p 129) This is evidenced in the multiplicity of expression of Wesleyan theology present today. So Osinski is not writing this work within a vacuum nor outside the big tent of Wesleyan thought.
The book begins with a valuable introduction including the defining of terms. This is helpful for anyone who has not encountered the academic definitions or uses of terms such as queer or queering as nouns and verbs. To understand those and many other terms and concepts is to lay the foundation for reading and understanding the purpose of Osiniski's thesis and explanations. Within the introduction, Osinski draws on the depth of both Wesleyan and Nazarene theologians of the past and present when explaining the reasoning for the book and the method of her arguments.
At the outset it must be acknowledged that not all readers will agree with the conclusions nor arguments of the book, yet they are well reasoned and draw on a solid foundation of Wesleyan thought and scholarship regardless. Even as I find myself not agreeing with every conclusion, they are challenging and valuable to anyone concerned about understanding the voices of LGBTQ+ Christians who also find themselves within a Wesleyan context. This is especially true for the minister or pastor. The truth is that our culture is rapidly moving deeper into a postmodern reality and most likely a coming post-gender experience for emerging generations. This is not a statement to embrace that but to understand the realities of experience. With that in mind the meat of this book is found in the ten chapters which read ten of John Wesley's sermons through a queer lens.
Osinski shows a thorough understanding of the traditional Wesleyan reading and theology of the sermons and that is the focus of her argument from a queer reading. Many may be surprised by the often typical and traditional Wesleyan explanation. This should not be a surprise because Osinski is a Wesleyan and received education within Wesleyan institutions. That base serves the reader well as the queer reading is introduced and explained. In some cases the queer reading appears to be the typical straight reading of the sermon. But such is the eclectic nature of Wesleyan theology and Wesley himself.
I have not agreed with everything but the arguments are cogent and the scholarship is sound. This is a valuable and challenging book for anyone seeking to better understand the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals within a Wesleyan context. Osinski mentions that there is not much in terms of scholarship nor practical work in this area and that she hopes this book will ignite further research and work in this area.
The book begins with a valuable introduction including the defining of terms. This is helpful for anyone who has not encountered the academic definitions or uses of terms such as queer or queering as nouns and verbs. To understand those and many other terms and concepts is to lay the foundation for reading and understanding the purpose of Osiniski's thesis and explanations. Within the introduction, Osinski draws on the depth of both Wesleyan and Nazarene theologians of the past and present when explaining the reasoning for the book and the method of her arguments.
At the outset it must be acknowledged that not all readers will agree with the conclusions nor arguments of the book, yet they are well reasoned and draw on a solid foundation of Wesleyan thought and scholarship regardless. Even as I find myself not agreeing with every conclusion, they are challenging and valuable to anyone concerned about understanding the voices of LGBTQ+ Christians who also find themselves within a Wesleyan context. This is especially true for the minister or pastor. The truth is that our culture is rapidly moving deeper into a postmodern reality and most likely a coming post-gender experience for emerging generations. This is not a statement to embrace that but to understand the realities of experience. With that in mind the meat of this book is found in the ten chapters which read ten of John Wesley's sermons through a queer lens.
Osinski shows a thorough understanding of the traditional Wesleyan reading and theology of the sermons and that is the focus of her argument from a queer reading. Many may be surprised by the often typical and traditional Wesleyan explanation. This should not be a surprise because Osinski is a Wesleyan and received education within Wesleyan institutions. That base serves the reader well as the queer reading is introduced and explained. In some cases the queer reading appears to be the typical straight reading of the sermon. But such is the eclectic nature of Wesleyan theology and Wesley himself.
I have not agreed with everything but the arguments are cogent and the scholarship is sound. This is a valuable and challenging book for anyone seeking to better understand the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals within a Wesleyan context. Osinski mentions that there is not much in terms of scholarship nor practical work in this area and that she hopes this book will ignite further research and work in this area.
May 21, 2022
In a world that is so dominated by voices expressing their opinions as the only correct interpretation of a particular text, this book is a much-needed and challenging breath of fresh air - particularly in Wesleyan/Methodist circles.
Queering Wesley, Queering the Church reflects on John Wesley's sermons and theology through a queer lense. The aim of the author is not to determine whether Wesley himself affirmed LGBTQ+ folk, but to show that Wesley's theology is compatible with a queer-affirming Christian position.
Osinski tackles this challenging scope with care and precision. While this book might challenge some people's perceptions of faith and theology, it is an important work that has the potential to teach the reader much if they are willing to read it with an open mind.
The book's closing line visualises a beautiful future that is possible if we are willing to continue this work: "The creative and life-giving work is ahead of us, and I can only imagine what a lovely and just and beautiful world we can shape once we begin queering Wesley and queering the church."
Queering Wesley, Queering the Church reflects on John Wesley's sermons and theology through a queer lense. The aim of the author is not to determine whether Wesley himself affirmed LGBTQ+ folk, but to show that Wesley's theology is compatible with a queer-affirming Christian position.
Osinski tackles this challenging scope with care and precision. While this book might challenge some people's perceptions of faith and theology, it is an important work that has the potential to teach the reader much if they are willing to read it with an open mind.
The book's closing line visualises a beautiful future that is possible if we are willing to continue this work: "The creative and life-giving work is ahead of us, and I can only imagine what a lovely and just and beautiful world we can shape once we begin queering Wesley and queering the church."
July 28, 2022
I highlighted *way* too much of this. In multiple colors.
Sections that resonated most:
*Circumcision of the Heart (most highlights by a factor of two or something)
*On Perfection (was already predisposed towards this one)
*Of the Church (a really meaningful, helpful way to end; I was a little surprised that Catholic Spirit wasn't one of the sermons, but it's because this is)
And while I didn't find it quite so revelatory/resonant, I think "The Imperfection of Human Knowledge" is one of the most important sections.
As Osinski says early on, this really benefits from reading the relevant Wesley sermons along with it, though it isn't strictly necessary.
Sections that resonated most:
*Circumcision of the Heart (most highlights by a factor of two or something)
*On Perfection (was already predisposed towards this one)
*Of the Church (a really meaningful, helpful way to end; I was a little surprised that Catholic Spirit wasn't one of the sermons, but it's because this is)
And while I didn't find it quite so revelatory/resonant, I think "The Imperfection of Human Knowledge" is one of the most important sections.
As Osinski says early on, this really benefits from reading the relevant Wesley sermons along with it, though it isn't strictly necessary.
January 10, 2022
The only reason it took me so long to read this is because I forced myself to read the sermons prior to each chapter and I do not enjoy reading sermons (even good ones). If it hadn't been for that I've had have finished the book much more quickly. I'm glad I read the sermons with it, however. It was beneficial for me, personally. I highly recommend "Queering Wesley" to anyone interested in how to begin thinking about preaching Scripture with LGBTQIA+ people in your audience.
August 28, 2021
A bit too many academic sentences but short book with great message for churches who may be on the fence about being fully inclusive. Loved hearing her queer perspective on everything.
December 30, 2023
This was the hardest book I’ve ever read. Wesleyan theology combined with affirming theology made for a frustrated and challenging read.
September 12, 2024
Thank u JRae for this book! Took me so long to read but was so so helpful, really helped me think abt the church in a less doomed way. Gave me some hope for a kinder theology.
January 13, 2023
This book rules. Keegan Osinski has accomplished something profound and unique to the field of Queer and Wesleyan theology. It is honestly astounding that this is the first book of its kind in Wesleyan theology as Wesleyan theology is arguably the most suitable theological tradition to dialogue with and support Queerness. Osinski's courage is to be commended in blazing the trail for Wesleyans who are Queer and allies of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Additionally, her scholarship is executed better than many. She clearly lays out her purpose for utilizing Queer theology to engage Wesley's sermons while maintaining who Wesley was without turning him into a partisan caricature. Hopefully this book will inspire more Wesleyan and Queer theological entanglement both within the academy AND the Church.
July 22, 2022
A queer love letter to Wesleyan theology. Or a Weslyan love letter to Queer theology. Most likely little of both.
A must read for all who consider themselves Wesleyan and inclusive.
Through reading Wesley's sermons through a queer lens, Keegan Osinski will have you falling in love with Wesleyan theology all over again. From Christian perfection, holiness, Love as God's reigning attribute, and so much more.
A must read for all who consider themselves Wesleyan and inclusive.
Through reading Wesley's sermons through a queer lens, Keegan Osinski will have you falling in love with Wesleyan theology all over again. From Christian perfection, holiness, Love as God's reigning attribute, and so much more.
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