The Eschatology of Desire: David Bennett on Celibacy, Same-Sex Attraction, and the Church's Calling

How the choice to live celibately as a gay Christian can reflect the radical love of Jesus and reframe the church's understanding of desire, identity, and human flourishing. Oxford PhD candidate and author David Bennett joins Mike Erre for an unflinchingly honest and theologically rich conversation on sexuality, worship, and the need for a deeper anthropology rooted in the kingdom of God. David shares his journey from an atheist, ardent critic of Christianity to a transformed follower of Jesus who made the costly decision to live celibately—not out of repression, but as an act of worship. Together, he and Mike explore how the idolization of romantic love has malformed both church and culture, and how Christians can reimagine friendship, community, and single life as central to God's good design. Key Takeaways: • Reframing Celibacy – Celibacy isn't about repression but about choosing a greater love over a lesser one, embodying the cross-shaped life Jesus calls us into. • Desire and Eschatology – How the Bible's vision of human desire, eschatology, and resurrection influence a Christian sexual ethic rooted in transformation, not legalism. • Idolizing Marriage – Exploring how both evangelical churches and LGBTQ+ culture have idolized romantic love—and how this shapes our view of fulfillment and identity. • Recovering the Fear of the Lord – Why the biblical concept of "fear of God" is key to experiencing a joyful, empowered life of obedience. • The Power of Story and the Holy Spirit – How David's testimony led others, including skeptical atheists, to reconsider Jesus—not through argument, but through honesty, humility, and joy. • A New Moral Imagination – The path forward for the church includes developing a robust theology of singleness, friendship, and communal life beyond romantic pairings. Guest Highlights: David Bennett – Author of A War of Loves and DPhil candidate in Christian Ethics at Oxford University. David shares his lived experience navigating same-sex attraction, identity, and a call to celibacy with theological clarity and pastoral compassion. His story challenges both traditional and progressive assumptions, offering a Christ-centered vision of intimacy, friendship, and holiness that transcends culture wars. Resources Mentioned: • A War of Loves by David Bennett – Link • N.T. Wright – Contributions to David's academic work and endorsement of the book • Isaiah 11 – The spirit of the fear of the Lord • Scripture on Desire & Transformation – Romans 1, Genesis 1-3, Revelation imagery • @davidacbennett on Twitter and Social Media Join the conversation—let's reshape our understanding of discipleship, sexuality, and community with the gospel at the center. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow the Voxology Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue the mission of Jesus. Email us at [email protected] and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube too: VOXOLOGY TV Check out our Merch Store: ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support Voxology on Patreon Explore curated playlists on the Voxology Spotify Channel: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast • Facebook: Voxology Podcast Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy