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Christianity Today, April, 2008 |

The Healing Pen

Philip Yancey writes to save his past—and others' futures.

Tim Stafford | posted 4/29/2008 08:25AM

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Only one time have I seen Philip really troubled by his audience's response. It was after he had spoken to a group of extremely wealthy Christians in a five-star San Francisco hotel. At the time Philip was not a big-time keynoter. He gave a series of seminars over three days and was genuinely puzzled and grieved by the response.

"The first day," he said, "I had about 50 people. The second day I had a few more, maybe 60. But the third day, attendance went way down. Only about 25 people came."

"What did you talk about?"

"I talked about Jesus' view of money."

"Philip," I said, "Jesus didn't do so well with that material either."

He found it hard to accept that. He thought the fault lay in him, that he had somehow failed to get his message across. Philip is extremely driven by the need to communicate. And if he has communicated clearly, how and why would anyone reject the message? Having dumped the judgmental harshness of fundamentalism and worked out in his own life what's so amazing about grace, he communicates an intoxicating truth: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Apt as any perfectionist and fundamentalist escapee to condemn himself, he carries a startling message he still finds hard to accept: God loves us!

Philip's special gift is to communicate grace to people in pain, coming alongside them in a gentle way, not pushing too hard, not pronouncing, but offering. Of course, everybody experiences pain, so in a sense his message is universal. Yet the most visceral response comes from Christians bruised by life, those hurt by the church's failings, those who wonder whether God can possibly care for them while permitting the suffering that has come their way. Philip understands pain. And he works hard, excruciatingly hard, to inscribe the simple message of God's love into the heart of pain.

Tim Stafford is a CT senior writer.

Related Elsewhere:

Yancey has been writing a column for Christianity Today since the mid-nineties.

Yancey's website has more about him, his writing, and mountain climbing.

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April 2008, Vol. 52, No. 4

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Alden

Posted: May 04, 2008 6:53 PM

Strangely, I have never read even one of Philips books but certainly intend to do so. I am always interested in the life sojourn of people who have rejected their roots in pursuit of a more engaging faith. Though Philip may have found a way to preserve the best of his past, the tribute writer unfortunately appears to have little affection for "fundamentalist" elements in the family of faith. The term is used with such derision throughout that I cannot help but feel that this review contradicts the foundational principles of its subject - to promote healing through grace.

Kate Ellis

Posted: May 03, 2008 3:52 PM

If you haven't read any of his books, start now. 'What's so Amazing about Grace' is a must-read, as is 'The Jesus I Never Knew'. In fact I've never read a Yancey book - & I've read them all - that doesn't more than repay the time set aside to read it. Stafford writes accurately when he says that Philip Yancey writes to heal. If ever you have been bruised by a church - and no church is perfect - or are struggling with life, read Yancey, and in his books find - not religion - but a God who loves, who reaches out, who loves you more than you can imagine. Then, with your heart made tender, go and love those around you as God does. Thank you, Philip Yancey, for your books. Thank you, God, for Philip Yancey.

Ron Weist

Posted: May 02, 2008 9:12 PM

Years ago I aquired a book by Mr. Yancy. He wrote that Moses had cataracts, and coundn"t see clearly, and that Moses was so physically feeble he could hardly stand or speak. According to Deuteronomy 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. I think a person who is going to use the bible for background should be more fundamental than that!!!

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