{"id":2424,"date":"2025-07-18T18:07:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T23:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelight.com\/?p=2424"},"modified":"2025-07-16T18:12:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T23:12:48","slug":"the-passing-of-john-macarthur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/18\/the-passing-of-john-macarthur\/","title":{"rendered":"The passing of John MacArthur"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xM5YJsyT6Tk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SUN VALLEY, Calif. \u2014 Longtime pastor, author and teacher John F. MacArthur died on Monday after a short battle with pneumonia. MacArthur, 86, pastored Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles area for 56 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAt the center of Dr. MacArthur\u2019s ministry was an unwavering commitment to declare God\u2019s truth, and Pastor John preached the Word in season and out of season,\u201d the church\u2019s elders said in a statement posted on the church <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gracechurch.org\/\">website<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEven in recent years, though beset with health challenges, he persisted in teaching, leading, and investing in the ministries the Lord had entrusted to him. Pastor John modeled a true fortitude for His Lord Jesus, believing that to live is Christ and therefore to die is gain,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur followed his father Jack MacArthur, a well-known pastor and evangelist in the Los Angeles area, as pastor of the non-denominational Grace Community Church. He became the senior pastor in 1969 after serving on staff with his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is survived by his wife Patricia, their four children, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The MacArthurs were married 61 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur was known for his dedication to exegetical preaching, a style that focuses on verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible rather than a topical approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His radio and television broadcast \u201cGrace To You,\u201d which also began in 1969, currently airs on more than 2,500 radio stations in every U.S. state and in 27 nations, according to the ministry\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though not a Southern Baptist, MacArthur was beloved by many Southern Baptists and a frequent speaker at SBC seminaries and Southern Baptist events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg said MacArthur\u2019s preaching and commentaries were \u201can asset to me as a pastor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The longtime president of California\u2019s Gateway Seminary, Iorg said, \u201cHis influence on a generation of preachers will carry on for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler called MacArthur \u201cthe greatest expositor of his times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mohler said he was \u201cgifted\u201d at \u201cthe exposition of God\u2019s Word before God\u2019s people, and that meant studying God\u2019s Word with diligence and then standing before a congregation to read and explain that scriptural text.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur\u2019s theology was unique as he maintained a dispensational premillennial view of the return of Jesus Christ often rejected by Calvinists, which MacArthur claimed to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensationalism explains God\u2019s interactions with humanity through a series of distinct dispensations \u2013 including a clear distinction between Israel and the Church \u2013 even through the end of time into history, including a future and literal fulfillment of the Old Testament land and covenant promises made to Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its adherents believe that Jesus Christ will return and take believers out of the world in an event often referred to as the rapture, before a time of great tribulation on Earth which will be followed by a 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on Earth before the final judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many Calvinistic theologians reject dispensational premillennialism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur explained his viewpoint in a seven-sermon series in 2007 entitled \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gty.org\/sermons\/series\/300\/why-every-calvinist-should-be-a-premillennialist\">Why Every Calvinist Should Be a Premillennialist<\/a>.\u201d His uncommon stance contributed to his popularity among a wide range of fundamentalist and evangelical Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur was also well-known for his writing. He is credited with well over 100 titles, a best-selling commentary series, a study Bible and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moodybible.org\/news\/2025\/remembering-john-macarthur\/\">Moody Press<\/a>, the first manuscript for the MacArthur New Testament Commentary was submitted as the pastor\u2019s sermon notes from a series on Hebrews. The now 34-volume set has sold more than 2.8 million copies since its release in 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MacArthur Study Bible, published by Thomas-Nelson, has sold more than 4 million copies, the company\u2019s website says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPastor John MacArthur was a man of unwavering conviction and profound dedication to the clear and faithful exposition of God\u2019s Word,\u201d Mark Jobe, Moody Bible Institute president, said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur stood firm in his convictions, drawing controversy over his ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His 2013 book \u201cStrange Fire\u201d called the charismatic movement into question. \u201cIt is a sad twist of irony that those who claim to be most focused on the Holy Spirit are in actuality the ones doing the most to abuse, grieve, insult, misrepresent, quench, and dishonor Him,\u201d he wrote in the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur contended they did so by \u201cattributing to Him words He did not say, deeds He did not do, phenomena He did not produce, and experiences that have nothing to do with Him. They boldly plaster His name on that which is not His work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2019, he faced criticism when he responded to a question about the role of women teaching the Bible. The question specifically focused on Paula White and Beth Moore. When asked about Moore specifically, MacArthur responded to the question saying she should \u201cGo home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added: \u201cThere is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion,\u201d according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/john-macarthur-skewers-beth-moore-paula-white-evangelicals-who-support-women-preachers.html\">Christian Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2021, Christianity Today <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/2021\/09\/john-macarthur-covid-settlement-california-church-grace-com\/\">reported<\/a> that Grace Community Church received an $800,000 settlement from the State of California related to the church\u2019s unwillingness to shutter weekly worship services after being mandated to do so during the coronavirus pandemic. The church called the order a violation of religious freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grace Community has also faced criticism and a pending <a href=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/2025\/07\/08\/former-member-sues-john-macarthurs-church-after-public-shaming\/\">lawsuit<\/a> for allegedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/2023\/02\/grace-community-church-elder-biblical-counseling-abuse\/\">mishandling<\/a> abuse cases in 2002 and 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MacArthur\u2019s investment in pastors has reached far over the years as thousands have attended the annual Shepherd\u2019s Conference at Grace Community Church, which featured preachers such as Mohler, R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Mark Dever and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A graduate of Talbot Theological Seminary, MacArthur helped found The Master\u2019s College (now The Master\u2019s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, Calif., in 1986. He served as the school\u2019s president until 2019 when he became chancellor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat Adrian Rogers was to pulpit oratory, John MacArthur was to biblical exposition,\u201d SBC President Clint Pressley told Baptist Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reach of his influence among pastors and preaching is incalculable, and we forever stand in his debt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article has been republished courtesy of <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baptistpress.com\/resource-library\/news\/john-macarthur-leaves-legacy-on-a-generation-of-preachers\/\"><em>Baptist Press.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SUN VALLEY, Calif. \u2014 Longtime pastor, author and teacher John F. MacArthur died on Monday after a short battle with pneumonia. MacArthur, 86, pastored Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles area for 56 years. \u201cAt the center of Dr. MacArthur\u2019s ministry was an unwavering commitment to declare God\u2019s truth, and Pastor John preached the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8kHU7-D6","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thelight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/John_F._MacArthur_1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2424"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2426,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424\/revisions\/2426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}