John MacArthur, the Los Angeles-based Bible teacher, pastor and author known for his polarising theological stances and open defiance of COVID-19 lockdowns, has died at the age of 86.
The New York Times labelled him a “firebrand preacher and culture warrior” whose influence extended across the world through his sermons, books, articles and broadcasts.
Many of his 400 books were translated into more than 25 languages.
He had served as senior pastor of Grace Community Church in suburban Sun Valley since 1969, and it just kept growing during his lifetime.
RESPECTED THEOLOGIAN, TEACHER AND PREACHER
John MacArthur was a respected theologian, teacher and preacher who always wore a suit and tie, unlike many evangelical leaders today.
He once said the most important mark of his ministry was that he explained the Bible with the Bible.
He did not “clutter up sermons with personal stories, commentary on current events, or appeals to emotion.”
He just taught “timeless truth.”
JOHN MACARTHUR DEFINES “A GOOD SERMON”
He believed a good sermon should still be good 50 years after it is preached.
“It isn’t time-stamped by any kind of cultural events or personal events.”
“It’s not about me. And it transcends not only time, but it transcends culture.”
He preached around 3,300 sermons at Grace.
HE LAUNCHED HIS OWN STUDY BIBLE
He published the MacArthur Study Bible in 1997, with 20,000 notes on specific verses, as well as an index of important doctrines, introductions to each book of the Bible, and suggested Bible-reading plans.
It sold two million copies in 22 years.
His New Testament commentary sold more than one million copies.
He also helped found The Master’s University and Seminary in 1986 and served as its president until 2018, when he stepped down amid problems over the school’s accreditation.
HIS SERMONS SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE ONLY 10-MINUTES LONG”
“He was the dean of expository preachers. A brilliant expositor. He preached 40-minute sermons, and they always seemed like they were 10 minutes,” Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins told Christianity Today.
Christian journalist Megan Basham praised his courage, saying: “MacArthur consistently refused to join the latest relevance-chasing fads.”
“It is this very refusal that has given his ministry enduring relevance for new generations,” she posted on social media.
Phil Johnson, executive director of MacArthur’s Grace to You media ministry once said about his mentor:
“If the aim of preaching is the awakening of spiritually dead souls and the cleansing and transformation of lives spoiled by sin, then all that really counts is that the preacher be faithful in proclaiming the Word of God with clarity, accuracy, and candour.”
MINISTRY NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY
John MacArthur also regularly sparked controversy, clashing with evangelicals who disagreed with him about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, biblical gender roles, and what is necessary to be saved.
He opposed the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements and loathed female preaching, singling out Beth Moore and Paula White who now runs The White House Faith Office.
He preached that women should not work outside the home and families should not require two incomes.
His church decided that all staff needed to be male.
Pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado stated he was “grieved” over MacArthur’s “derisive” remarks about Beth Moore and women preachers..
WOMAN CHURCH MEMBER PUBLICLY SHAMED FOR LEAVING ABUSIVE HUSBAND
John MacArthur publicly shamed and excommunicated a woman for leaving her abusive husband who was a children’s minister at Grace.
The husband was later sentenced to 21 years jail for child abuse.
Others tried to raise allegations of abusive behaviour in the church, but were effectively shut down.
The congregation loyally stood with the leadership.
LEGAL VICTORY OVER COVID LOCKDOWN RULES
When California enacted lockdown rules shutting down worship gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MacArthur and Grace Community Church resisted the rules.
They engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the city of Los Angeles and state officials over his refusal to adhere to the public health orders.
“Never before has the government invaded the territory that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and told us we can’t meet, we can’t worship, we can’t sing,” he declared at the time.
The government was forced to pay the church A$1.2 million in legal fees to end the litigation.
MACARTHUR’S LEGACY STILL GOING STRONG
John MacArthur’s strongly held Biblical views are as popular as ever today.
Grace’s 3,500-seat sanctuary is still filled multiple times every weekend in 2025.
His sermons are broadcast on more than 1,000 radio stations across America.
More than 700 men are enrolled at The Master’s Seminary and around 5,000 attended Grace’s annual conference for church leaders.
The MacArthur Study Bible continues to sell and is currently available in multiple versions.
The MacArthur Daily Bible app has been downloaded more than five million times.
JOHN MACARTHUR KNEW HE WAS ON HIS “LAST LAP”
John MacArthur is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia, their four children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Earlier this year he publicly admitted he was “on my last lap” after a series of health setbacks.
“That takes on a new meaning when you know you’re on the short end of the candle,” he said.
“I am all thanks and praise to God for everything He’s allowed me to be a part of and everything He’s accomplished by His Word in these years of ministry.”
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