One of evangelical Christianity's most influential and trusted writers has abruptly stepped away from public life after confessing to a years-long extramarital affair that he said disqualified him from ministry. 

Philip Yancey, the bestselling author whose books on grace and faith shaped generations of believers, announced his immediate retirement after admitting to an eight-year 'sinful affair' with a married woman.

In a stunning statement published by Christianity Today where he served as editor-at-large and columnist for years, Yancey, 76, acknowledged that his private conduct stood in direct conflict with the values he publicly taught for decades. 

'My conduct defied everything that I believe about marriage,' he wrote, saying the relationship caused 'deep pain' to his wife, the other woman's husband, and both families involved.

The affair, he said, lasted eight years. He declined to provide additional details 'out of respect for the other family.' 

Yancey announced he is stepping away entirely from public ministry - retiring from writing, speaking, and all online platforms. 

In the same statement, he confirmed he had removed himself from social media, including Facebook and his Substack page, cutting off direct communication with the audience that had sustained his career for half a century. 

The revelation sent shockwaves through the evangelical world stunning readers, pastors and longtime admirers who had followed his work for decades. 

Philip Yancey, 76, retired from public ministry after admitting to an eight-year extramarital affair he said disqualified him from leadership

After 55 years of marriage, Philip Yancey said he is now focused on rebuilding trust with Janet Yancey, who acknowledged the deep trauma of betrayal while reaffirming her commitment to their vows

Devastated readers reacted with grief, anger, and a sense of betrayal over the fall of a figure long associated with humility, honesty, and the power of grace.

'Having disqualified myself from Christian ministry, I am therefore retiring from writing, speaking, and social media,' Yancey wrote. 'Instead, I need to spend my remaining years living up to the words I have already written.'

For decades, Yancey occupied a singular place in American evangelicalism. 

His books sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, according to multiple biographies, and reached readers in nearly 50 languages.  

The late former President Jimmy Carter, himself a devout evangelical Christian, once named Yancey his favorite modern author.

Unlike many high-profile Christian leaders, Yancey was not known as a political combatant or culture-war crusader. 

His work focused on what he famously called 'the scandal of grace' - the idea that God's love is extended not just to the worthy, but to the undeserving, and even to those who 'deserve the opposite.'