Origen’s Pattern: Radical Sexuality from Ancient Eunuchs to Eighteenth Century Methodists

This paper explores the ways in which ancient Christian eunuchs were a precursor to eighteenth century Methodism. In bringing together the histories of Christian eunuchs and early Methodists, this paper seeks to highlight the sexuality that linked them. This "radical," "excessive" sexuality was readily glimpsed by the torrent of Anti-Methodists who called out such links. This paper thus argues not only for a deeper analysis of the figure of the eunuch from early Christianity to the Methodist revivals of the eighteenth century, but that Anti-Methodists are a prime and necessary source for exploring the ways in which eighteenth century Methodism was connected to the Methodisms of the past.