David Bennett has an extraordinary story that is reaching people across the globe. A formerly anti-Christian, gay activist, Bennett went on to find Jesus in a very unlikely way. His almost inconceivable story is detailed in a new book, “A War of Loves,” in which Bennett offers a new take on what it means to be gay and Christian. Boldly taking on those who insist he should not deny himself and his sexual desires as a human being, Bennett puts forth a new way of living — a bold, unapologetic and sacrificial devotion to God that shatters our cultural norms.
Now, the Oxford-based Ph.D. student is calling on others to recognize the spiritual merit of such immense self-sacrifice.
“I long for the company of Christians who’ve given something up for the Kingdom of God, who’ve suffered in faith, who aren’t fairweather friends to Jesus,” Bennett tweeted recently. “More often than not I find these friends among LGBTQI community, the poor, many women, ex-Muslims and less secure nations.”
Speaking of his dramatic encounter with the Lord, Bennett said that, through the overwhelming love of Christ, he is ruined for any other earthly “counterfeits” — a message that makes some rather uncomfortable due to its countercultural nature.
I was an atheist, gay activist that hated Christians and the god many represented to me. Then, the real God revealed himself to me in Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit 10 years ago in a pub in gay Sydney. I met a love so extraordinary I’m spoilt for the cheap counterfeits.
— Dr David Bennett (@DavidACBennett) March 22, 2019
In a previous interview with Faithwire, the budding theologian, who works as a fellow with the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics, spoke openly about his decision to remain celibate.
“I met a real God, a living presence in my body that provides intimacy for me,” he remarked. “So, I don’t need to have sex.”
Bennett, who has been same-sex attracted from an early age, attempted to find love in romantic relationships, but quickly realized that this pursuit was leaving him feeling empty.
“When I came out as gay, I thought I could find transcendence in romantic love,” he said, “but it kept failing me all the way through my teenage years into adulthood.”
The essential apologetic and evidence for the Christian Gospel is a life transformed. What is suppressing the transformation of Jesus in your life? Sin? Idols of various kinds? Love of money? A godless vision of the good? Discard all of them.
— Dr David Bennett (@DavidACBennett) March 21, 2019
With many openly criticizing the young theologian for taking such a courageous stance on this heavily debated and personal subject, Bennett has developed a simple and effective response — no sacrifice is too great if it is made devotion to his Lord.
In addition, when he began to study the life of Christ, Bennett realized that this uncommon vow of celibacy could become an incredible source of blessing and satisfaction in his life.
“It wasn’t until I looked at the life of Jesus that I could begin to process — he was celibate and he was the single greatest picture of human flourishing,” Bennet said. “He didn’t have sex, so did I need to?”
God longs for His children to be so enamoured of him that whatever is fakery, distraction and facticity has no power. God longs for a people who refuse sin out of hearts that are so possessed by their pursuit of his beauty and glory they are jealous lovers and zealous worshippers
— Dr David Bennett (@DavidACBennett) March 22, 2019
“In watching the example of other friends who were celibate and had given their lives to following Jesus and discipling others, I was also witnessing a joy and flourishing in their lives I admired,” he added. “If they were living this life as heterosexual people, then I could do that as a homosexual person.”
You can pick up a copy of “A War of Loves” here.