Bought with a Price

by Aaron Crowley

While doing gay porn, love was a foreign concept to Aaron, but after hearing the words, "Jesus loves you," he questioned everything. The porn industry promised to empower him, but Aaron wondered if he was actually being degraded and exploited. After seeking refuge in the Church, he found that many Christians do not include gay people, like himself, in their worship. Even if they did, many churches didn't have clear teachings on sexual morality, which left Aaron's past vulnerable to exploitation. While wrestling with his past and new faith, Aaron not only finds the strength to overcome trauma through God's power, but he also finds meaningful, romantic love. He now wields his testimony as a weapon against the enemy who once held him in bondage. This bold memoir offers a raw perspective on God's grace to enable all believers to walk in the victory to which they have been called.

Genres: Christianity, LGBT, Queer, Nonfiction

334 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2021

Reviews

[Aaron Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may not be traditional to write a review for one's own book, but I thought it was important to confess that authoring this book has been an immensely healing experience. And if it was healing for me, I'm sure it will be healing for anyone else who reads it.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought with a Price is not about sex, gay sex, porn, the porn industry or a boy in the porn industry. This book is a great example of a young man that gave his life entirely to the Lord. Repented and was forgiven. And then started growing in the Lord. He was stripped of his entire self and filled with the Holy Spirit. Time and time again you will read the phrase “Jesus Loves you” all throughout this book. It’s a phrase that changes Aaron forever and will change all of us forever if we just give up end allow it. Aaron is very vulnerable in this book, leaving it all on the pages. Good, bad, ugly and God’s saving grace. It’s all there. Get ready to not be able to put this book down. And get ready to be challenged and changed as you root for Aaron and yourself while you turn from page to page. Jesus, I pray that you use this book as a tool to change lives. And I pray a hedge of protection and the blood of Jesus over Aaron and Aaron as they continue to live their life wholehearted for Jesus. Jesus (Yeshua) loves you.

[David McKenzie Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Crowley's voice is as one calling out in the wilderness and whose sound will echo across generations. There are so many parts of Bought With a Price - accounts of the abuse he endured, the documented conversations with not-yet-affirming pastors, and the transformational power of God - where I found myself completely undone.

Crowley's treatment of the realities of pornography and prostitution, and the deep and profound effects on both buyers and sellers had me in tears of anguish, mourning, and repentance at being so flippant in the past.

The first kiss scene is every young gay man's dream. And there were actual fireworks in the background. Sure, he has set the bar high for same-sex relationships but he backs his stance with plenty of researched evidence and personal experience.

The note of victory, the expression of love, and the steadfastness of Crowley's conviction are reason enough to read the book. This book may very well be the one stone flung at a giant that will bring it down.

[Michael P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Crowley's book is a testament to the transformative power Jesus offers to anyone who comes to the cross. From darkness to light, from whatever one may be going through now or in the future–Jesus offers wholeness–and a love that breaks through the powers of darkness to metamorphose anyone into a new creature. This book provides a glimpse of what so many LGBT individuals have gone–or are–going through. With the hyper-sexualization of our community at an all-time high, this book is an antidote that informs... and provides hope to all that may be lost.

[Marisa Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing story of redemption and transformation. Aaron Crowley’s honesty about his past and the journey he went on was really refreshing. As I read this book I kept telling people about how incredible it was. And kept recommending the book to them as I read it. It is a must read.

[Lauren Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so moving, enlightening, and is a true testament to God’s redemptive love.

As a reader I almost divide it into two parts:

1. The experience the author shares of being prostituted in the porn industry:

As a Christian living in a culture where porn and over-sexualization has become so glamorized, reading Aaron’s story of what it was like being prostituted in the porn industry was eye-opening and heart changing. I was brought to tears several times and the book really helped ground my view of pornography where it should be: as something that is exploitative at its very core.

2. How God moved in the life of an LGBT person to show His love and acceptance.

Reading about how God moved to provide healing from the trauma and allow the author to flourish in His love was an incredibly moving testament to the power of God. Reading about the author’s struggle to find acceptance in the Christian church and ultimately helping pave the way for other LGBT persons to find a home in the church was incredible to say the least.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply personal, intimate book about a transformation that starts out heavy and tragic and moves to a beautiful and joyful place. Really gets you thinking about topics and issues that many of us don't know anything about. Totally worth reading.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word: phenomenal!

Aaron Crowley’s memoir completely shattered my ideas about porn and the porn industry and porn stars. I never put any thought into what it must be like for people the people behind the camera. I mean, sure, no one thinks it’s a great job. But there’s this idea that the people who are doing it want to do it. I read this book and then immediately had slavery inc by Lydia cacho recommended to me by a friend. The combination of the two books is earth shattering and heart breaking. I am not the same person I was before I read them. I would say start with Aaron’s. Even if you’re not religious (I’m not), you still take away a lot from it about what the porn industry does to completely dehumanize the people it needs to survive.

[Payton Walling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was overall pretty great. The authors story and experiences being a perspective of the contents to a new light in a fresh way. The authors writing is vulnerable and emotional, highlighting his own prose with raw insight into the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in the church. Some of his theological points of view seem to directly contradict others, and some of the theology and ideas of this book are directly reflective of his trauma and not necessarily a truly unbiased or fleshed-out interpretation. However, this book is ultimately a strong contender for being crucial reading for the LGBT Christian.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book. This is a message of hope and love that anyone can relate to. No matter how low you feel, what mistake you've made, there's always hope, and God's always waiting to call you home. ❤️

[Matt Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Crowley's memoir is, at times, heartbreaking, painful, humorous, enraging, uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging - sometimes, all at once. It is a very-well written story of one young man's journey through the pains, exploitation, and dehumanizing horrors of the pornography "industry," to meeting God and becoming a follower of Christ, to finding love and acceptance in marriage.

Firstly, the book is tremendously readable. Aaron weaves together personal stories/experiences with teaching and information in a way that only a pastor does. There's a real progression to the story - as he learns things, you are taught things through the narrative itself. It manages to be suspenseful in it's presentation, too - knowing just when to end a chapter and with what sentence to pull you in to the next one.

Secondly, on a spiritual/theological level, it is challenging on a few different fronts. I loved reading about Aaron's encounter with Jesus and the process of that relationship blooming and growing, but what I think this book does so well and should be used for is that it gives the reader an opportunity to wrestle with ideas they may not agree with but see that the person who is presenting them as someone who adores Jesus, cares for the Bible, and is not trying to be confrontational or come off as argumentative, etc. Reading about Aaron's love for Jesus will fill you with hope, but then you may be left with a feeling of "ooooh, but I don't agree with this part of his beliefs." This is a good thing, in my opinion - it forces you to understand and to sympathize with someone you might not agree with, and in that comes unity.

For example, reading Aaron's story about being gay and coming out and his beliefs about that didn't rub up against my own - I was right on the same page with him. In fact, I thought "This is gold! Anybody who disagrees with him needs to read this so they can understand!" but then Aaron will mention some more charismatic ("spirit-filled") parts of his own individual Christian experience, and I'd go "oooooh, wait a minute. Don't know if I agree with that stuff." And I think that's the point - to challenge the reader with what they believe but also lay the groundwork for unity. We don't all have to agree 100% with one another, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, giving each other the benefit of the doubt and letting the Holy Spirit do his job is where I see this book being used the strongest. Aaron clearly loves Jesus, knows Jesus, trusts Jesus, and if you disagree with him about any conclusion he's come to (whether that's about being gay or not), that closeness to God and desire to know Christ more should be enough for us to step back and say "but he is a brother all the same."

Finally, the book serves multiple purposes beyond a memoir. It is a call to action about the evils of the pornography "industry." It is a cry for embrace and acceptance of marginalized people who are LGBT and being neglected or ignored by the Christian Church by and large. It is, believe it or not, a robust defense of more traditional Christian sexual ethics and morals in a lot of ways. And it's also a love story - seeing Aaron and his husband's first encounters and eventually marriage in the midst of so much is very sweet.

All in all, I'd have to say "Bought With a Price" is my favorite book of 2021. Personally, it has challenged me, comforted me, encouraged me, and revealed to me that I still have a long way to go on my own journey of faith with Jesus. We all do.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, man. Perhaps you won’t agree where Aaron lands in regards to sexuality. I do. I wasn’t going into the book in order to be convinced, but to test the fruit of Aaron Crowley’s life. I wanted to find out whether he advocated for sexual immorality or not.

This man does not advocate for sexual immorality. Saved from a life of sexual exploitation in the porn industry, Christ has fully transformed his heart. I wept at the glory that Christ received in the story of Aaron’s life. It was truly glorious to watch as this story unfolded. It was well-written, clear, held a strong message of Christ’s lordship.

In all honesty, the evangelical community would probably be flabbergasted. Because this story does not fit the narrative of the “gay lifestyle” that is so often portrayed. Aaron Crowley is a spirit-filled, Christ honoring, fruit producing man… who also happens to be gay, and married to a man.

I am utterly astounded by the goodness of God, and I have been telling everyone I can about the way that Christ saved Aaron. Should you read this book? Absolutely.

This book is not about affirming theology. It is the witness to Christ Jesus’ glorious renewal and rebirth of someone dead in sin. Affirming theology is discussed, but if you get lost in that, you’ve missed a vital point: Jesus is victorious over sin. He is Lord forever.

If you want a book that will give you hope in the saving power of the gospel, this is one that will do it.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important message that Aaron shares at the cost of great personal vulnerability. As Aaron takes you through his grim experiences in the porn industry and his growing awareness of the love of Jesus, you'll realize the sort of refuge he needed when he turned to the church. It is heartbreaking when church after church, non-LGBTQ-affirming and LGBTQ-affirming, neglected to provide this for their own varied reasons.

The Christian church is called to be distinct from its cultural context. Aaron focuses on that call, but not as a call to reject LGBTQ persons and their relationships (which is how non-affirming churches often interpret it). Aaron argues that it is a call to reject sexual exploitation. What happens when people like Aaron who have been exploited turn to Jesus for refuge, only to encounter a church that is not distinct from its cultural context on this front? This book will walk you through what that experience is like, and I feel haunted by its call for change.

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! I am so grateful to have been able to read such a vulnerable story. The author really lets you in. And the whole thing is told in such a beautiful, God honoring way. It was hard to put down, and I think so many people need to give this book a read.

[Mediaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fascinating but completely flawed book where a former gay porn star converts to evangelical Christianity, then condemns all those in his past and misuses scripture to support his belief that same-sex marriage is valid Christian theology. He claims to be filled with the Holy Spirit, wants to commit to "holiness" and even argues that sex before marriage is a sin, but when it gets to his own post-conversion sexual choices he continues to play around with naked men, says he was born gay and that can't change, and eventually gets married to a virginal man.

It's certainly different! How he can be so strong in his born-again Christian faith and quote the Bible yet ignore the verses that he often quotes that condemn the choices he makes? He justifies his sexual choices by saying Jesus preached "love," and gay marriage is love. But he ignores that Jesus clearly states marriage is between a man and a woman. So Aaron Crowley make inferences from Bible verses, adapting them to his situation to justify his choices, but ignores the actual clear words of Jesus that are there. That type of thinking isn't just true of gay Christians but of pretty much everyone who congregates in a denomination around a singular interpretation of scripture while ignoring the rest of the verses.

It's because he interprets scripture through his pre-Christian gay feelings, therefore placing his own sexual desires above what God and the Bible says. As with many in the LGBT community he doesn't believe the verses that condemn homosexual sex as being interpreted correctly for the past couple thousand years--suddenly he and his contemporaries know better how to interpret things that have been clear for thousands of years?

While much of the book contains some strongly conservative Christian doctrinal positions, he isn't going to budge on same sex attraction and marriage, placing it above scripture and the counsel of spiritual leaders he otherwise admires. He has made it his god, sexuality as idolatry, and worships his flawed doctrine while claiming to be an angel of light that believes in the true God, just as the New Testament warned us.

And why does he refuse to use the name "Jesus," instead selecting the Hebrew "Yeshua?" It's a very odd mental and emotional distancing from the present understanding of Christ, and of course he inconsistently doesn't use the Hebrew names for anyone or anything else from the Bible. To me it shows a bit of a split personality and his mental gymnastics with the gospel.

He also misquotes some verses and makes claims that are just not true about "original manuscripts" (there are bits and pieces of some things from the 2nd Century but we have absolutely no original writings). Therefore we could ALL be wrong if we want to hold to a specific interpretation because we simply don't have the original documents. It would be healthy for those of us inside and outside the LGBT spiritual community to admit that.

It's almost entertaining to see how he distorts scripture that contradicts his gay background while holding to other traditional scriptural dogma that many liberal gays would be upset with. It makes no sense that he tries to commit to "no sex before marriage" yet continues to hook up with guys on gay apps (without going all the way) and marries a man, against the clear definition of marriage by Jesus. And to try to claim that Paul was only talking about "gay prostitutes" in condemning homosexuality is laughable.

I'm not condemning the guy for his choices--I'm saying that he's a hypocrite by not accepting the whole Bible and acknowledging the flip-flopping that he's doing. He only agrees with interpretations that match his beliefs instead of seeing them for what they are--his using the Bible to support his sexual choices so he doesn't feel guilt. And as I said before, most modern American Christians do that to justify their own distorted doctrines.

Even worse is how he treats the gay sex industry that he came out of. He now filters all that he did as being unwanted rape and sexual abuse leading to trauma. It's totally dishonest. He was never forced to do anything other than one minor incident when he claims he was so drunk someone took advantage of him sexually--but he doesn't recall details, so how does he know he didn't give consent? It amazes me that men (and women) come back years later to claim "rape" when they went into a bedroom without coercion and drank to the point where they don't recall details. Why is he so unwilling to accept his own poor judgment and instead turns it into trauma from an outside source for which there is no evidence beyond his alcohol-foggy mind?

He claims his gay porn movie agent was a "pimp" that let him to be "raped" in films, another claim for which he has no factual support because Crowley sign consent agreements to do the scenes. While he's trying to convince readers that the industry takes advantage of poor people that need to be better financially supported by the government (somehow blaming taxpayers for not sharing their money with college students like him that got in debt over his head?), the truth is almost all of the porn stars and escorts choose to do the work in order to make money.

And worst of all is that after he discovers that he tests positive for HPV, a sexually transmitted disease he will never be rid of completely, he lies to his agent and claims it was a false positive, continuing to have sex scenes with other actors. How disgusting that he doesn't use these pages to condemn himself or worry about how many he made suffer--instead it's all about how others mistreated him.

Stop blaming everyone else Aaron Crowley! If you're serious about seeking truth, then start with accepting your own responsibility for the choices you made and not expecting the taxpayer-funded government to support the bad decisions of people like you that need money. Then go to the Bible and accept ALL of it, not just the parts you think support your flawed worldview. Your theology and politics are formed by your commitment to the idol of sexualizing the male body.

None of this is meant to condemn him but to give feedback, to hold up a mirror and ask him if he really has taken a good look at himself. We all need that. I often go through the same feelings, but I accept the entire New Testament and admit to my bad choices, guided by thousands of years of spiritual leaders and not the current pop culture. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:25: "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator." We all struggle with something imperfect, whether it's sex or drinking or abusing our bodies or lying...but the first step to getting our lives straight is to admit we have a problem instead of distorting scripture or blaming others.

[Faith Sipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Crowley's memoir is his testimony of going from being prostituted in the porn industry to having an encounter with
God and experiencing God's love for him.

Something I really enjoyed about this book is how he writes his story in such a way that you feel like you were there experiencing these events alongside him. I felt sadness, I felt joy, and I felt the reality that a lot of what our current culture communicates to us about sex and what our value is as people is at best misguided and at worst totally wrong. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is how it isn't homophobic or filled with ex gay rhetoric. This is a breath of fresh air and I think that this book and Aaron Crowley's story will be transformative in opening people's eyes to both the sins of sexual exploitation and to the freedom that Jesus offers.

This book is a really great read for everyone but especially for LGBT young adults who need an affirming resource that deals with a first person account of the detrimental nature of porn and why It is not harmless or sexy as the world makes it seem but that there is redemption, love, forgiveness, and acceptance in Jesus for all of us.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! WOW!

I am still processing...

For someone like myself who has not had much exposure to the industry (other than knowing that it exists), this was an eye-opening experience. Although it was difficult for me to read the raw and vulnerable things Aaron shares, the jolt I experienced from the truths he tells gave me insight into praying for those who are trapped in pornography (no matter what side of the camera they're on).

This book will help so many. The message is clear: From darkness to light.
Jesus Loves. Jesus Saves. Jesus Heals. Jesus Redeems. Jesus gives NEW LIFE!

[Gary Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir recounts the exploitation of a young gay man who stumbled into the world of pornography, desperate to survive. It is brutally candid about the depths of despair in the “sex” industry without being salacious. He then describes his ultimate delivery through Jesus Christ. Regardless if you think a Christian can be gay, this book proves God’s love is available to “whosoever” seeks him. Compelling reading for anyone who thinks pornography is harmless entertainment.

[Ashlee Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Once I started I couldn’t put it down. Even as someone who is not religious I still could identify with Aaron and it was amazing to get to know him through this book. It was extremely brave of Aaron to write and publish this book and I can tell it is going to help so many people! You have to read this book regardless of your sexuality, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Such a powerful read!

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very close and inside look at what many fail to recognize, sex trafficking right before their eyes. Mr. Crowley gives an inside look at real life in the porn industry. A wonderful story as well about Gods saving grace reaching out to save this young man. A read that is well worth the time. I especially reccomend it to Christian's who watch porn, you will never see it the same afterwards.

[ROBERT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Crowley 's real, raw, and redemptive Bought with a Price memoir is a powerful story that delves into the world of the adult industry and how he managed to come out of it as a stronger and empowering person. It comes from a perspective that is one of the first of its kind. Captivating and special, and all vulnerable.

[DJ Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Reading about Aaron's experiences and how he came to know the Lord had truly opened my eyes and has helped me a lot. As a gay man struggling in his faith, Reading about what Aaron went through and how he overcame the prostitution ring and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people on the christian church like he did opened my eyes and has helped me a lot!

[Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the three best memoirs I've read. Aaron's story is moving, inspiring, heart wrenching and so much more!

Aaron's story inspires me not only as a person but also as a gay Christian.

[Tim Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very powerful telling of Aaron's testimony and how he came to know Christ in the way he knows him today. The book starts out showing the life in porn that Aaron came from before he knew Christ. The author then takes you on his journey in meeting Christ and what he went through to develop his theology to where it is now. The story itself is well written, and shows the trauma that he went through, but I think a lot of the conclusions he has come to are flawed.

He appears to care deeply about the interpreting the Bible correctly, but when it comes to homosexuality in the Bible, he appears to not care about anyone else's opinion and studies on what scripture means, including those he respects and admires. He discusses countless examples throughout the book where he joins a church or a group of Christians, and agrees with either their theology, but disagrees with their view of homosexuality; or disagrees with their theology, but agrees with their views on homosexuality. This should have thrown red flags to him that clearly his theological views do not align with each other and potentially he might be the issue.

One thing that I thought was odd was how he calls Jesus Yeshua. He claims to do it because he wants to use the name Jesus would have used while on earth, but he gives the impression that he uses it as a way to show he has a better relationship with Jesus then people who don't call him Yeshua.

I think Aaron’s journey so far is powerful and helpful for Christians to read, but it is clear his Journey is not over and he still has a lot to learn. The book ends as though now that he is an ordained pastor, he has all the answers and he believes he is right, while also having the vast majority of historical christianity disagree with one of the main core points he has build his beliefs around.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. Such a powerful testimony of God’s Grace changing a life.. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea about everything that takes place in the porn industry. If you struggle with pornography (or any sexual sin), this book is a must-read. You will gain so much hope from this testimony, as well as conviction from the Holy Spirit to stop. Pornography is something that sadly, many people, especially in the gay community, have probably dealt with at least to some extent in their lives. To be honest, I actually don’t see how it’s possible for anybody to read this book and not be convicted to stop and change, as well as being empowered by the Grace to do so. This book will offer hope and encouragement to many and will touch the lives of countless people and set free many who struggle in this area.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I reviewed some of the comments, it reminded me of the way I felt when I first read this book. See, I have been a Christian for a long time. I grew up in a Christian home. I went to a Christian college where I had to take 4 years of Bible classes. I have read the whole Bible. So how could it be that a person who never really stepped foot in a church, and in a tragic turn of events, had the background he did, leapfrog past me in my Christian walk? How did he acquire such a vast understanding of the scriptures? Where did his solid Christan maturity come from? And then, how dare he not stay in his lane, and wait his turn...

Sadly, instead of feeling happy for Aaron, I allowed myself to engage in one of the very first sins. That is, the jealousy that Cain felt for Abel. What you will read in this book is a story of a man who embraced God and (seemingly) overnight became a very firm Christian. It took me 3 years after reading this book, but I now know that what is missing in Christianity (many that gave the author only one star) is what is missing in me: a lot of heart and a lot of Jesus. Therefore, after reading this book, my initial feelings were one of sorrow. Why him and why not me?

Therefore, don't make the mistake I did. Read this book in the way it was intended. No matter your past (however that manifested) God can use you to do great things. God chose Aaron for a very special purpose, and that is to give hope to people in the sex trade industry, and LGBTQ+ people that feel like they are unredeemable. If this book makes you respond with uneasiness about who God delivers, and who God blesses, then sit in that uneasiness. Take inventory of your own life, and see how you can make a difference in the place where God has put you, much like Aaron did.

Lastly, as you can imagine from my comments above, this book is excellent. It's the best Christian memoir that I have ever read. However, it will make you confront your perception of what you have been told about the issue of LGBTQ and Christianity. It will make you grapple with your prejudice about who God should and shouldn't manifest through. It will challenge your thoughts on what it means to be a Christian. It will hurt. However, taken in the context in which it was written, it will open your eyes to the fact that God can, and will use anyone, that is truly willing to submit to him. Thank you, Aaron!