Renowned American pastor and author Timothy (Tim) Keller shared yesterday that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and would begin chemotherapy next week.
Announcing the news on his Instagram account, the 69-year-old said that he only found out about it less than three weeks ago.
Calling it a “providential intervention” or in medical terms, an “incidental pickup”, Keller said he felt great and had no symptoms otherwise.
“I have terrific human doctors, but most importantly I have the Great Physician himself caring for me,” he said, adding that God’s presence had been his comfort through the “shock and fear” as he went through his tests, biopsies and surgery over the last few weeks.
Ending his post with Hebrews 12:1-2, Keller has also requested for prayer for the following items:
- For God to use medical means or his direct intervention to make the cancer regress to the point of vanishing.
- For he and his wife, Kathy, to use this opportunity to be weaned from the joys of this world and to desire God’s presence above all.
- For his family to be comforted and encouraged.
- For the side effects of treatment to allow him to continue writing and speaking.
Besides being the founding pastor of New York City-based Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Keller has published many books, including bestsellers such as The Reason for God and The Prodigal God. He is also a sought-after apologetics speaker with a passion to reach sceptics for Christ.
Keller is no stranger to suffering. In 2002, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which he openly shared about in Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering. In it, he speaks about the hope that one can have in God even in the midst of personal struggle.
He and Kathy have also co-authored The Meaning of Marriage, and they have three sons.
Keller’s announcement comes hot on the heels of another well-loved American apologist and author who also shared about his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In March, Ravi Zacharias said his doctors discovered he had sarcoma, when he went for a back surgery. And just last month, the 74-year-old was called home to the Lord after a brief battle with the rare form of cancer.
