Over the weekend, theologian and best-selling author Tim Keller shared an "extremely encouraging" update after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer last year.
"Cancer Update: I had a scan in May that was extremely encouraging, showing no cancer growth under less aggressive chemotherapy," Keller tweeted on Sunday. "A surgery at the end of May removed several nodules that had remained unchanged for nine months."
"At this point, the only visible cancer is the primary tumor on the pancreas," he noted. "We are praying that it will decrease to the point of invisibility or remain unchanged. In any event, we want to glorify God by 'running the race set before us with perseverance' (Hebrews 12:1-2)".
At this point the only visible cancer is the primary tumor on the pancreas. We are praying that it will decrease to the point of invisibility or remain unchanged. In any event, we want to glorify God by “running the race set before us with perseverance.” (Hebrews 12:1-2.
— Timothy Keller (@timkellernyc) June 13, 2021
Keller, who founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, said he's confident that God is "always loving, wise, and good" and added he is doing "very well, writing, speaking (via zoom) and enjoying my grandchildren."
"Thanks so much for continuing to pray!" he concluded.
As Christian Headlines previously reported, Keller publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis last year and immediately underwent chemotherapy.
He had previously battled with thyroid cancer in 2002.
In an April interview with The Christian Post, the best-selling author explained that stage four pancreatic cancer is a particularly aggressive disease that typically claims its victims within a year — and it's "usually a very difficult year."
Despite the "very serious" nature of his illness, Keller was thankful for the positive response his body had to chemotherapy. He contended that he likely has "years and not months left" in his life.
"My wife Kathy and I are pretty grateful; it looks like I've got more time than we thought when we originally got the diagnosis," he said.
At the time of the diagnosis, Keller was writing his latest book, Hope in Times of Fear, which focuses on the transformative power of the resurrection.
"Here I am, writing a book about the resurrection, and I realized I only half-believed I was going to die," he recalled. "I went back and realized that in some ways, I also only half-believed in the resurrection — not intellectually so much, but all the way down deep in my heart. I realized I needed to have a greater, a deeper faith in the resurrection, both intellectually and mentally."
"It took several months in which I had to take my abstract belief down into my heart to existentially and experientially know it and grow in assurance, and it worked," he continued. "If you are willing to embrace the truth of God's Word and immerse yourself in it day in and day out, and then ask the Holy Spirit to make it real to your heart, He will."
Related:
Tim Keller Calls for Prayer Following Cancer Diagnosis
Photo courtesy: ©Tim Keller Facebook
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
