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

by David Bennett

What would it mean for both sides to come to a deeper biblical understanding? For those on the traditional end, it might mean being willing to live and love radically for Jesus. This would mean giving up false and empty religion that resists the real Jesus Christ; it would also mean rejecting the idols of wealth and family, being willing to see and respond to the needs of others, and giving up convenience and comfort for the sake of following Jesus. For progressives, it could mean giving up the idols of sexual liberty, rejecting a victimhood or entitlement mentality, no longer shutting down those who disagree, and repenting of the pride that says, “I don’t need the living God; I’ll just appeal to my inner self.” Ultimately, both sides of this debate need to look to the resurrection, when one day there will be no same-sex or opposite-sex desire entirely analogous to what we now experience. In Matthew 22:29–30, Jesus said this to the Pharisees and Sadducees who asked him about divorce and marriage: “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” Like those he was speaking to, we are obsessed with marriage and romance. But these things are only a reflection of greater eternal realities! We are going to be transformed into so much more than sexual beings. Our very nature will be resurrected.