Christian author Philip Yancey is retiring from writing and lecturing after admitting to a long-running affair with a married woman.
The prolific writer, whose works include Christian Book of the Year Award winners “The Jesus I Never Knew” and “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” informed his former colleagues at Christianity Today that his more than 50-year career was ending while he and his wife of 55 years work toward reconciliation.
“To my great shame, I confess that for eight years I willfully engaged in a sinful affair with a married woman,” the 76-year-old scribe wrote to the religious publication.
Christianity Today, which published Yancey’s articles for several decades, said his faith-oriented books have sold more than 15-million copies.
The author confessed in an article published Tuesday that his conduct defied his beliefs about marriage and contradicted his writings. He said his affair “caused deep pain” for his partner’s husband. His mea culpa included a statement from his own wife.
Janet Yancey, “speaking from a place of trauma and devastation that only people who have lived through betrayal can understand,” claimed she still intends to honor the commitment she made to her husband when they married and asked supporters to pray for them both.
Yancey said he understands why his readers may feel disillusioned by his actions and assured them he’s seeking professional counseling.
Christianity Today said the disgraced writer had been scheduled to lecture in Pasadena, Calif., on Wednesday, but was no longer listed as a featured speaker for that event.
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