I know the comment is 3 yrs old but David and Christy had a love of religion. But David's love for God was stronger than his love for Christy while Dr. NcNeil was a more down to earth love. If you haven't read the book I would read it. It's such an awesome read.
If you read the book you should know that David does not have a love of religion or God. He is physically attracted to Christy and not called to the ministry, He actually just likes the idea of being in charge of something because of the lack of controls he had in his own life. His mother chose preaching for him and his seminary chose the Cove for him. Dr. McNeil loved Christy and at the very end of the book that God had put that love in his heart and he are left to believe that he became a believer based on his prayer at the very end. Which is good because Christy loved God!