henrinouwensociety Henri Nouwen, Now & Then Podcast | Philip Yancey, From Toxic Religion to Amazing Grace
Feb 11, 2022
Philip Yancey, a best-selling contemporary Christian writer, shares his honest journey in faith from a toxic religious upbringing to embracing grace. He reflects on how personal loss shaped his understanding of love and reconciliation, highlighting transformative moments that shifted his perspective. The conversation explores the value of humility and community, inspired by figures who prioritize service over ambition. Yancey also discusses the complexities of evangelical identity in today’s world, and the lasting impact of Henri Nouwen’s teachings on compassion and understanding.
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Harsh Fundamentalist Childhood
- Philip Yancey grew up in a tight, independent fundamentalist Baptist church that forbade movies, bowling, and makeup.
- The church emphasized fear of hell and limited access to God’s love, shaping his early faith dramatically.
A Father's Death Shaped Family Faith
- Yancey's father died of polio after being removed from an iron lung in faith that he'd be healed.
- His mother's subsequent dedication of her sons to God shadowed their lives and strained family relationships.
A Dramatic Personal Conversion
- After growing cynical, Yancey experienced a dramatic personal conversion during a prayer meeting that he calls a revelation from God.
- That encounter transformed him from a skeptical youth into a lifelong writer on faith.
