The recent confession by Philip Yancey has sparked various reactions. From confusion, anger, disappointment and even betrayal for some – especially those who have been so blessed by his writing and ministry.
“As a young Christian, the book Reaching for the Invisible God held me by the hand, gave me better words than any I would have penned for my doubt and handles to help find a way into stronger faith. Phillip Yancey’s words in that book and others like Prayer: Does it Make a Difference? and Soul Survivor have not only nourished me but I have now introduced them to my children. I read Disappointment with God University with one of my daughters as she processed not getting into her choice of university. She was shocked and encouraged that someone can voice words she thought only she felt. The news of Phillip Yancey’s failure and subsequent retirement from Christian ministry is heart-breaking and humbling. Thankfully, the words he wrote remain true and we can all depend on God’s faithfulness which is greater than our unfaithfulness.” – Wairimu Kinuthia.
Philip Yancey you are the most inspirational writer of our day. The devil knew it too that’s why he marked you as a soldier he needed to fell. The book that touched me most is titled “When Life Hurts”. Now, we are asking the same question, Lord where are you When Life Hurts,” so much? Why allow the enemy to take out from our walk such a decorated soldier in Your army. One day we will know the full story but now we rest in the part so revealed. – Lovette Manduku
“I heard of brother Yancey’s moral failure a day after I was bragging about him to my husband at a Scripture Union Bookshop, when I saw another of his books that had not yet hit my collection. It felt personal, so as I sat in my office and reached out for a book I have been telling myself I will start on – The Bible Jesus Read – I held it in both hands and I prayed for Yancey and his family and the saints he has ministered to through his writings. I will probably never meet him since I am far away from him in Zimbabwe but I know my prayer will.” – Duduzile Manhenga Muparutsa
For the publishing community, the questions go beyond the personal details of the sin that caused the havoc. Readers have endless questions about what to think about all the books that Philip wrote and talks that he gave. Should we trust what he said? If he wrote any of the books in the period he was actively living in sin, should we consider its message reliable? Should we change what we think about what he taught now that we are aware of the life he lived?
Booksellers who have stocked his books must be wondering whether this news will have an immediate effect on the movement of his titles. What happens to the stock already shipped? Should one market the titles they have in stock? Should we just proceed as though nothing has happened?
Should our readers continue to trust what he said?
The Bible offers us precedence on what we are to do with the Christian leaders who fall and leave behind resources from their walk with God. In David’s case, we have the Psalms. We still read the Psalms of David because what they proclaim is true and even though David failed to live by some of the truths, his failure did not tarnish them. In any case, his failure makes some of the Psalms more applicable and enhances the furtherance of the Gospel because they remind us that God’s mercy and faithfulness are available for us – as they were for David – despite our failings. And therefore, there is hope that God will continue to uphold and use the truth that Yancey wrote for his glory.
Biblical truth is vouched for by God’s unchangeable character. The Bible is true and reliable because it is God’s word, not because the men who wrote it were of good reputation. We trust it because we know God said it, even though some of the people who wrote it had their failings. Man’s failure – however tragic – cannot disqualify God’s truth. It can only hinder their ministry and cause the name of God to be blasphemed among non-believers. Therefore, we can learn biblical truth laid out by authors not because we are fully aware of their character but because we can verify what they write is true when measured against Scripture.
What happens to the stock already in bookshops?
As to whether we can continue to distribute works that worked on while living in sin, we can only speculate when he truly started working on them. Ultimately, all the resources we sell are to be measured against the truth of scripture – even though we are aware that the testimony of the author has a direct effect on the perception of their work.
Where there are channels to renegotiate quantities or rights, it would be prudent for a publisher or distributor to hold smaller quantities as we observe people’s response.
Sin is not without consequences. David’s own sin caused pain both for himself and for many around him – including his children. Sin is devastating. It may be practiced in private but the consequences go beyond the person who sinned. When David carried out a census against God’s will, 70,000 of his citizens died in 3 days! It is therefore not surprising that Yancey’s sin will cause continue to cause pain even beyond those directly and immediately affected by his actions. There is no telling how the Christian reader in Africa may respond to this confession. And therefore, those who hold stock of his books or publishing rights might first need to ‘read the room’ before proceeding with further investments. It is possible that some may unfortunately make losses if readers give these books a wide berth.
Should one continue to market Phillip Yancey titles?
Another question now is whether one should be actively engaged in marketing of the remaining stock in a bid to push back against any possible resistance. While this might help readers access resources that may be helpful for their walk, distributors and booksellers must ensure that they are driven by the need to uphold truth and not simply clear stock. We need to appeal to people’s love and need for the truth without ignoring the perception caused by Yancey’s situation. Our readers have real questions and reservations and that is to be considered in our decision making.
In spite of all these, we can hope that God’s amazing grace would cause this specific turn of events and the subsequent confession would work out for good. Not simply for the recovery of investments in inventory or varnishing of an individual’s failures – but that the wonder of the gospel’s ability to restore would be made clear. And that we would finally see that which is so amazing about grace.
A Personal Prayer for Phillip Yancey from an African Author
“I have mixed feelings, but from today, I am reading the whole collection I have. As I turn the pages, I will be praying for you. I also haven’t shared with my husband about this story, I think I want to tell him after he has read 3 of your books starting with “What’s so amazing about grace”. I don’t want to risk him dismissing you and then he misses out on all the great teachings the Lord entrusted you with for our generation. I pray that you will also take time to read the books the Lord helped you to write, not as the author but as a child of God needing mercy. You will certainly feel the river of grace flowing again.” – Duduzile Manhenga Muparutsa