David Bennett - A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus

David Bennetts page-turning writing gripped me from beginning to end, and I feel sure that his perspective on what it means to give our sexuality to God is something that every Christian of our generation needs to consider.

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, director, Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics

This is an incredibly raw and authentic book! David paints a beautiful and compelling picture of what it looks like to desire Christ above all else. His affections for Jesus make me excited to be a Christian.

Preston Sprinkle, president, Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender

A refreshing and powerful book. This is one of the top books I will recommend to Christians who want to know how to better love their LGBTQI friends and also to seekerswhether gay or notwho are open to considering Jesus invitation.

Sean McDowell, professor, Biola University; speaker; author, Same-Sex Marriage

A timely, thoughtful, and often moving story which will be hugely helpful to a lot of people. Davids honesty and humanity shine through these pages, even as he handles difficult questions through the lens of his experience. This is a gift to the contemporary church.

Andrew Wilson, teaching pastor, Kings Church London

Here is a voice as countercultural as it is compelling, capable of engaging the whole Christian community, whether gay or straight, in a vital debate. I have no doubt that David Bennetts story is going to become an essential part in a complex jigsaw for many.

Pete Greig, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd, Guildford

Many lesbian, gay, and bisexual people feel they cannot be true to both their sexuality and the Christian faith. David demonstrates that integrity and authenticity are possible for gay Christians, sharing beautiful insights about love, friendship, and following Jesus too.

Rev. Dr. Sean Doherty, Christian ethicist; author, The Only Way Is Ethics

This book is designed to make all of us think about our ultimate love and to work through how we should engage in a long debated area, whether inside of the church or outside of it. It is well worth the read.

Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

David Bennetts book presents a particular lived Christian experience which deserves hearing. I am grateful to all who are contributing their learning, experience, study, and prayer to help us all to proclaim afresh the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sentamu Eboracensis, Archbishop of York

One of the most significant books on one of the churchs most pressing subjects by one of todays most inspiring young thought leaders. David Bennett is a prophetic witness, a truth teller, a tender pastor, and a faithful follower of Jesus. This generation needs to hear this man.

Rev. Simon Ponsonby, author; pastor of theology, St. Aldates Church, Oxford

This is the searingly honest story of one romanced by God against all expectations. Bennetts example of giving his whole self, including his sexual self, to the Christ who died for him is an act of Christian witness for our time.

Rev. Dr. Michael P. Jensen, rector, St. Marks Darling Point, Sydney; author, Martyrdom and Identity

Riveting, extraordinaryquite extraordinary! I really think I could give this book to any contact I have and theyll be fascinated. I do wonder whether it will become a Christian classic of our time.

Rico Tice, All Souls Church London; author, Christianity Explored

I am particularly pleased to commend this book. It is an important contribution to the conversation. In a day when so often emotional story trumps thinking, David Bennett matches careful theological thinking with a truly compelling story.

Charlie Cleverly, rector, St. Aldates Oxford; member, General Synod of the Church of England

ZONDERVAN

A War of Loves

Copyright 2018 by David Bennett

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition October 2018: ISBN 978-0-310-53812-7

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc . Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc .

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc ., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Naples, Florida 34113.

Cover design: Micah Kandros Design

Cover art: Shutterstock

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 /DHV/ 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose love radically transformed my life in that pub almost a decade ago

And to my father, Paul, who, after a stroke that almost took his life this last year, received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior

And to my mother, Anne-Marie, who believed in Jesus before I did, lovingly accompanied me in my search for truth, and whose steadfast love instilled in me the hope that carried me through the harder times