A towering figure in evangelical publishing is stepping out of the public eye after making a deeply personal and painful confession that has stunned readers and church leaders alike.
Christian author Philip Yancey, whose books on faith, grace, and suffering have reached millions over several decades, acknowledged that he carried on a secret affair for years and has now withdrawn from all forms of ministry, according to Fox News.
In a statement shared with Christianity Today, Yancey said his actions left him unfit to continue his public role.
“To my great shame, I confess that for eight years I willfully engaged in a sinful affair with a married woman. My conduct defied everything that I believe about marriage. It was also totally inconsistent with my faith and my writings and caused deep pain for her husband and both of our families. I will not share further details out of respect for the other family,” he said.
Yancey, who has been married for more than five decades, offered no justification for the relationship and described the fallout in stark terms. He said he has confessed his actions to both God and his wife and has entered counseling and an accountability program.
“I have confessed my sin before God and my wife, and have committed myself to a professional counseling and accountability program. I have failed morally and spiritually, and I grieve over the devastation I have caused,” Yancey said. “I realize that my actions will disillusion readers who have previously trusted in my writing. Worst of all, my sin has brought dishonor to God.”
He added that repentance, rather than explanation, was now his focus.
“I am filled with remorse and repentance, and I have nothing to stand on except God’s mercy and grace,” he said.
As a result, Yancey announced a full retreat from public life.
“I am now focused on rebuilding trust and restoring my marriage of 55 years. Having disqualified myself from Christian ministry, I am therefore retiring from writing, speaking, and social media,” he wrote. “Instead, I need to spend my remaining years living up to the words I have already written.”
He also asked readers for forgiveness and prayer, saying he hopes for healing for everyone affected.
Janet Yancey, his wife, also released a statement through the outlet, describing the emotional toll while reaffirming her commitment to their marriage.
“I, Janet Yancey, am speaking from a place of trauma and devastation that only people who have lived through betrayal can understand,” she said. “Yet I made a sacred and binding marriage vow 55½ years ago, and I will not break that promise.”
She asked for prayer as she works through the pain.
“God grant me the grace to forgive also, despite my unfathomable trauma. Please pray for us,” she said.
Yancey has previously written publicly about relying on his wife during major health crises, including a broken neck and a Parkinson’s diagnosis, often praising her steadfast care. Now, he says, his attention will turn inward, away from the audience he once addressed, and toward repairing the life closest to him.
