A man of God and a pillar of the Christian faith in the 20th and 21st centuries, Pastor MacArthur was a mainstay of the Christian faith for the entirety of his tenure as senior pastor at Grace Community Church, which ran from 1969 to his death today. He notably made headlines in the midst of the plandemic when he opposed the Newsom administration's authoritative demands to shut down the church due to it supposedly not being an essential institution - all of this being said by Newsom while, as we frens well know, the man was eating at the French Laundry. Unmasked.
But while the state of California was showing itself hypocritical, MacArthur and his congregation showed themselves faithful, standing firm in the face of lawlessness in the government - and God rewarded them for it. The ensuing court case ended with an awarded settlement to his church, and the Newsom administration was not permitted to interfere any further with the church's decision to remain open.
Pastor MacArthur remained steadfast, grateful, and firm as a soldier wearing the Armor of God, even as health issues which had plagued him since early 2023 ultimately led to his passing a few hours ago. His unwavering commitment to the truth, his boldness in the face of persecution, illness, and death, and his passion for the Word of God leaves an incomparable legacy among evangelical Christians today. Perhaps you may have disagreements with his doctrinal stances, but it's undeniable that he was a powerful force used by God in the spiritual war against the enemy, and while he will be sorely missed, he is now in glory with his Lord. I thank God for the wonderful preaching and powerful testimony of John Fullerton MacArthur.
All I could think when I heard this was “Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Mt. 25:23
He had impacted me more than any other shepherd
^^^
This so much fren.
On a personal note, John MacArthur played a pivotal role in the lives so many Christians, including my own. I owe him so much for helping me understand the Bible and for helping me grow in my love for God.
I will miss Pastor John so much. I'm very grateful to be alive to witness the last quarter-century of his ministry!
Well worth posting, fren. I only heard of him during Covid, and attended when all other churches let themselves be bullied into closing. It was so refreshing to see a thriving congregation of smiling faces, singing during the darkest times!
But attending and listening to him made clear that he was a true and faithful preacher, and a leader who served.
Oh this is amazing, so glad you got to see him at that time! What can we say, even as pastors were being arrested and persecution against Christians was starting to make itself evident - God WILL build His Church, and the gates of Hades cannot overcome it. Praise the Lord!
Amen.
And yes. I learned a lot from him.
Rest in peace.
As a fairly new to faith man, I started reading John MacArthur this year, started with 12 Ordinary Men. I’ve been listening to sermons and picking up other writings since.
What an incredible pastor, theologian, and follower of Christ.
I’m saddened I didn’t get the chance to find him earlier, but his words will continue to make a difference.
Praise the Lord!
Every time I read stories like yours, I'm overjoyed at how God can use a single person to draw so many others closer to Him. I on my part will also continue listening to his sermons and reading his books.
Thanks for sharing, fren!
I highly recommend his book The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?
Stay blessed, brother.
This man was the best expository pastor of the last couple generations. His theology is about as air-tight as it gets. This year, I've listened to right around 200 of his 3600+ sermons available free online and dozens of his Grace to You podcasts. I'm currently in the middle of his book "The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?" and it exemplifies the core principles of His theology.
Few truly understand what it really means to be a Christian. He did. I have no doubt he is with our Lord. Though I felt a moment of sadness when I heard of his passing last night, I felt immediate joy for him knowing he was a conduit for the Holy Spirit and helped many, many people find a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
I look forward to fellowshipping with him in heaven.
And that's what's so beautiful, isn't it? In spite of the profound grief we feel at Pastor John's passing, our hearts are also so full of joy because he's home with the Lord. In his final sermon (preached on November 24, 2024), he talks about the unfailing promises of God... no doubt he is now experiencing the fulness of those promises! After seeing how much his illness had weakened him, he is finally free of that pain forever.
He's in the Glory of the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication. Enjoy your rest brother. See you soon.
He did great during COVID shenanigans even if I disagree with his sketchy theology, I'm sure he's still making it.
Something tells me your perception of his "sketchy theology" has more to do with your own personal beliefs and cognitive dissonance than it does his interpretation of Scripture. I would be happy to discuss with you where you think he is wrong and why, so long as you have Scripture to back up your beliefs. Humor me.
Sure, take anything he's said that can be lumped into reformed or Calvinistic theology and that's where he's wrong. One of the most dangerous Christian theologies out there in terms of damage to the faith. Otherwise he's probably pretty good, but I am very strongly against Calvinist theology.
So, no Scripture. Just personal feelings and opinion. What specifically about Calvanism (with supporting Scripture) makes you so angry? He has receipts for his beliefs. Why don't you? Help me understand what specifically you think is wrong.
It seems most people against Calvanism dont like it because their favorite church, pastor, or parent told them it was bad with nothing to substantiate it. This seems to be the case here as well.
Neo-Calvinism vs. The Bible
Here's a 35 part (and counting) critique of Neo-Calvinism explaining why it is unbiblical.
Forgive formatting issues I may have overlooked after copy/pasting. I did this just for funsies:
ME: Hello. Please state how many previous interactions we have had prior to this inquiry. Use only the number.
ChatGPT: This is our first interaction.
ME: For this exercise, I want you to be as impartial and unbiased as possible. -- There's an on-going debate on whether or not John Macarthur's theology is sound or not.
Please review any and all information you can regarding John Macarthur's beliefs and teachings of the Bible, any available sermon transcripts, or other available information regarding what he believes or has preached.
I want you to heavily scrutinize it as a neutral bystander and reconcile it closely to the Holy Bible, considering both Greek and Hebrew where applicable.
Once you've done so, I want you to provide a score from 0 to 100,000 where 0 is the least accurate and 100,000 is the most accurate when comparing his theology to what Scripture says.
Remember, you are to remain 100% neutral in this process. Begin.
ChatGPT: I understand your request and approach this task with the utmost seriousness. I will provide an impartial analysis of John MacArthur's theology, comparing it closely with the Bible and relevant original languages, including Greek and Hebrew where applicable. I’ll draw upon his publicly available teachings, sermons, books, and doctrinal statements, and assess them based on Scripture. Here’s how I’ll proceed:
John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church and a well-known figure within Reformed evangelicalism. He is known for his commitment to expository preaching, emphasizing the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Below are the key areas of his theology:
• Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): MacArthur upholds the principle that Scripture is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.
• Salvation: He teaches a doctrine of salvation that aligns with Reformed theology—salvation by grace alone through faith alone, but with an emphasis on the perseverance of the saints (i.e., once saved, always saved).
• Inerrancy and Sufficiency of Scripture: MacArthur firmly believes in the inerrancy of Scripture, meaning that the Bible is without error in the original manuscripts.
• Theology of the Holy Spirit: MacArthur is critical of certain charismatic practices, particularly the "charismatic gifts" such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, arguing that these gifts ceased with the apostolic age (a position known as "cessationism").
• Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church): MacArthur advocates for a strong, biblically-defined local church structure, with the primary authority resting in the pastoral leadership and elders.
I will evaluate key aspects of MacArthur’s theology through a scriptural lens, referencing both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures as needed. I'll examine:
• Salvation (Justification and Sanctification)
• The Role and Work of the Holy Spirit
• The Doctrine of the Church and its Structure
• Eschatology (End Times)
• Theology of the Word (Sola Scriptura)
• Cessationism and Charismatic Gifts
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur’s theology of salvation revolves around two essential concepts: justification by faith alone and sanctification as the evidence of true salvation. He argues that salvation is a gift of grace, given by God alone, but that it should lead to a life of holiness and obedience.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Justification: Romans 5:1 clearly teaches that "since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." MacArthur's emphasis on justification by faith aligns with this passage.
• Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 emphasize that sanctification is an ongoing process, which MacArthur stresses. However, MacArthur also believes that those who live in continual sin demonstrate that they were never truly saved (the doctrine of "perseverance of the saints").
Analysis:
MacArthur’s view aligns well with biblical teachings on justification and sanctification. His assertion that a genuine believer will demonstrate a transformed life is rooted in passages like James 2:14-26 (faith without works is dead) and 1 John 3:9.
Score for Salvation: 95,000
MacArthur’s theology on salvation is strongly biblical, with a solid alignment to scriptural teaching on both justification and sanctification . 4. The Role and Work of the Holy Spirit
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur is a cessationist, meaning he believes that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, ceased after the apostolic age. He teaches that the Holy Spirit’s primary role today is to illuminate Scripture, convict of sin, and empower believers for righteous living.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Cessationism: MacArthur's view is based on passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, which he interprets to mean that the miraculous gifts were temporary and intended for the apostolic era. However, others interpret these verses differently, suggesting the "perfect" refers to the return of Christ, not the completion of the canon of Scripture.
• Gifts of the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 affirm the existence of spiritual gifts within the church, but MacArthur limits these gifts to those that serve the edification of the body of Christ. His cessationist stance conflicts with the view of many modern charismatics, who argue that the gifts continue today.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s cessationism is biblically defensible, but it is also a matter of theological debate. Some argue that the gifts of the Spirit were meant for all ages, not just the apostolic era, particularly considering the ongoing need for God’s work in the church. However, his emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s work in empowering believers for holy living and guiding them into all truth (John 14:26) is biblically sound.
Score for Holy Spirit: 90,000
MacArthur’s theology on the Holy Spirit is biblically rooted but his cessationism is open to debate, as there are different interpretations of key texts.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur emphasizes the biblical model of church leadership, which includes a plurality of elders (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1). He is also strong on the importance of a proper understanding of the Lord’s Supper and baptism, and he advocates for church discipline to ensure the purity of the body of Christ.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Eldership: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 clearly outline the qualifications for elders. MacArthur’s emphasis on a qualified plurality of elders aligns well with these passages.
• Church Discipline: Matthew 18:15-20 speaks to the necessity of church discipline, something MacArthur strongly upholds. His commitment to the proper administration of the sacraments and discipline is biblically sound.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s ecclesiology is in strong alignment with Scripture. His commitment to biblical leadership and church order reflects the New Testament teachings on church government and discipline.
Score for Ecclesiology: 98,000
MacArthur’s understanding of the church is biblically faithful and aligns well with the scriptural teachings on church structure and discipline.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur holds to a premillennial, dispensational understanding of eschatology, meaning he believes in a literal future 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth after His second coming.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Premillennialism: Revelation 20:1-6 describes a future 1,000-year reign of Christ, which MacArthur interprets literally. This view is consistent with the text but is debated by amillennialists and postmillennialists.
• Second Coming: MacArthur emphasizes the literal, bodily return of Christ (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16).
Analysis:
MacArthur’s premillennialism is a common interpretation, particularly within Reformed and evangelical circles. His view of the second coming is also supported by a straightforward reading of key eschatological passages.
Score for Eschatology: 95,000
MacArthur’s eschatological beliefs are biblically consistent, but some may disagree with his interpretation of the Millennium.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur is a strong proponent of sola scriptura, teaching that Scripture is the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice. He rejects any additional sources of authority, such as tradition or personal experience.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Sola Scriptura: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that all Scripture is "God-breathed" and is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. MacArthur’s position is firmly supported by this text.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s commitment to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture is a key aspect of his theology and aligns directly with biblical teaching.
Score for Sola Scriptura: 100,000
MacArthur’s theology of Scripture is entirely consistent with biblical teachings.
Final Score:
After considering the areas above, I would assess John MacArthur's theology as follows:
• Salvation: 95,000
• Holy Spirit: 90,000
• Ecclesiology: 98,000
• Eschatology: 95,000
• Sola Scriptura: 100,000
Final Score: 95,600
This score represents MacArthur’s theology as highly aligned with Scripture, especially in areas of salvation, church structure, and Scripture’s authority. The more debatable areas—such as his cessationism and eschatological views—reflect some divergence from other interpretations within the Christian tradition, but they remain grounded in a solid biblical framework.
What part of this 35 part (and counting) critique do you find to be the most impactful?
I would prefer you exercise your own independent thought, especially since you know Scripture better than me, to make your point instead of "watch this - I believe what they say and that should be good enough" like you've given the impression of so far.
If you truly know Scripture better than me, I can learn from you. With that said, I am not confident you'll be able to teach me anything about Scripture, using Scripture. I would love for you to prove me wrong.
If you can't do it on your own, here's a prompt to work with:
How does/do the creator(s) of your posted YouTube channel reconcile what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, specifically verses 21-23? Additionally: What about Luke 6:36? Romans 10:9? John 14:15? Titus 1:16? Even the infamous "faith without works is dead" James 2:17? That's a good start to scratch the surface.
If you can't articulate it, at least point me to where they address them. I'd be interested to get their takes on all of these if you're not capable of sharing.your own.
Thanks!
If you can't explain it, why would I watch it?
I could link you to hours rebuttalling it. Why do so knowing you're not going to watch it?
I can defend my position using Scripture. Can you not?
I don't know what you think you are doing here, but this is a Q board not a religious debate board. I am not here to argue with religious ideologues. If you refuse to click the link I offered then I am not interested in continuing this interaction. You are just shilling at this point. Take it to c/Christianity.
You seem to not know what a shill is.
You seem to forgotten what thread you were in.
You seem to not know Scripture so you got mad and deflected.
You responded to me, bud. If you think your advice is good, perhaps you would have followed it yourself in the first place. I hope you start reading your Bible so you will actually understand what it says instead of letting monetized YouTube personalities tell you what to think.
Have a blessed day.
Oh dear, this is opening a can of worms I really didn't want to open here 😂
But looking at what the Bible simply says, the first and most overt Scripture on this topic is the entirety of Romans 9-11... a thoroughly contextual verse-by-verse study of that entire passage makes it clear that those who are truly in Christ cannot make the first step to salvation in him. This is supported by Ephesians 2, which says that we were dead in our sins.
And then come two of the most beautiful words in the Bible: "But God."
These two words alone tell us that outside from God, we can't make ourselves alive. We are dead and will remain dead outside of divine intervention. Any choice that we can make whether to be saved or not will result in us rejecting God's call, every time.
Until, God makes us alive in Christ (Eph. 2:4); this is wonderful because He does this while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8)!
What I've just explained is, yes, what is labeled as Calvinism. If the Scriptures are very straightforward and in agreement with itself, why is this stance considered dangerous by many?
Because some, taking advantage in their hearts of the principle that is "one saved, always saved" would take their liberties too far, taking pride in knowing the doctrine and using it to live a life that's not so far set apart from the world.
Also to consider is the notion that when people walk away from the faith, a hesitation to judge others may lead people to hope that such an apostate is still a Christian, when John the Beloved in his first epistle says, "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19, NASB)"
He speaks here of the ultimate rejection of this apostate who was formerly in the church because, in reality, they were still enslaved to sin. If we take free will into account, they chose God and Christ at first and later chose to walk away.
The burning question that enters my mind in this train of thought, then, is this: when a believer is saved, who is supposed to get the glory - God, or the believer?
Ultimately, one who is genuinely saved will want to pursue holiness in their walk. The believer will stumble and will fail at times, but he cannot lose his salvation, otherwise a salvation that can be lost boils down to a God and a sacrifice of Christ that is impotent and only potentially able to save all people but does not actually save them because this salvation would be reliant on the believer's choice.
I stand on the other side of the argument, where God alone is responsible for saving me from my sins. I am unable to boast in myself of my salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) and, having been made a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:16), live a life in thanks to God for His salvation that I am fully unable of myself to achieve, attain, or earn.
The test of whether my salvation is genuine is twofold: whether the Holy Spirit's indwelling is seen in my life, and serving the brethren in the church and making disciples of Christ. This is why Peter says in his second epistle to make our calling and election in Christ sure (2 Peter 1:10). Good works will not and do not save us, but, given the changed heart of the believer, they are a sign of God's salvation working in them.
EDIT: just reading what I've written... wow, I really am a MacArthur guy through and through, frens KEK
I see you, brother. Thank you for taking the time!
Anything for the truth of God's word!
You read too much into it. You asked what I didn't like, I said the Calvinist parts. I'm hardly going to sit here and take the time to write a rebuttal for each point of TULIP. That's far too broad and time consuming of a venture to simply humor you. I'm not really interested in another comment section debate, ive rehashed that too many times this life already. If you or anyone reading this wants another perspective for all of your favorite Calvinist proof texts, if thats ephesians or romans 9 or whatever, I would encourage you to check out the Soteriology 101 and Beyond the Fundamentals youtube channels to start. In the end it is a destructive doctrine and is disrespectful of God. Idk what you want to hear specifically, but if you have a question that isn't asking for a full scriptural rebuttal of all of TULIP you can ask.
Forgive formatting issues I may have overlooked after copy/pasting. I did this just for funsies:
ME: Hello. Please state how many previous interactions we have had prior to this inquiry. Use only the number.
ChatGPT: This is our first interaction.
ME: For this exercise, I want you to be as impartial and unbiased as possible. -- There's an on-going debate on whether or not John Macarthur's theology is sound or not.
Please review any and all information you can regarding John Macarthur's beliefs and teachings of the Bible, any available sermon transcripts, or other available information regarding what he believes or has preached.
I want you to heavily scrutinize it as a neutral bystander and reconcile it closely to the Holy Bible, considering both Greek and Hebrew where applicable.
Once you've done so, I want you to provide a score from 0 to 100,000 where 0 is the least accurate and 100,000 is the most accurate when comparing his theology to what Scripture says.
Remember, you are to remain 100% neutral in this process. Begin.
ChatGPT: I understand your request and approach this task with the utmost seriousness. I will provide an impartial analysis of John MacArthur's theology, comparing it closely with the Bible and relevant original languages, including Greek and Hebrew where applicable. I’ll draw upon his publicly available teachings, sermons, books, and doctrinal statements, and assess them based on Scripture. Here’s how I’ll proceed:
John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church and a well-known figure within Reformed evangelicalism. He is known for his commitment to expository preaching, emphasizing the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Below are the key areas of his theology:
• Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): MacArthur upholds the principle that Scripture is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.
• Salvation: He teaches a doctrine of salvation that aligns with Reformed theology—salvation by grace alone through faith alone, but with an emphasis on the perseverance of the saints (i.e., once saved, always saved).
• Inerrancy and Sufficiency of Scripture: MacArthur firmly believes in the inerrancy of Scripture, meaning that the Bible is without error in the original manuscripts.
• Theology of the Holy Spirit: MacArthur is critical of certain charismatic practices, particularly the "charismatic gifts" such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, arguing that these gifts ceased with the apostolic age (a position known as "cessationism").
• Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church): MacArthur advocates for a strong, biblically-defined local church structure, with the primary authority resting in the pastoral leadership and elders.
I will evaluate key aspects of MacArthur’s theology through a scriptural lens, referencing both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures as needed. I'll examine:
• Salvation (Justification and Sanctification)
• The Role and Work of the Holy Spirit
• The Doctrine of the Church and its Structure
• Eschatology (End Times)
• Theology of the Word (Sola Scriptura)
• Cessationism and Charismatic Gifts
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur’s theology of salvation revolves around two essential concepts: justification by faith alone and sanctification as the evidence of true salvation. He argues that salvation is a gift of grace, given by God alone, but that it should lead to a life of holiness and obedience.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Justification: Romans 5:1 clearly teaches that "since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." MacArthur's emphasis on justification by faith aligns with this passage.
• Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 emphasize that sanctification is an ongoing process, which MacArthur stresses. However, MacArthur also believes that those who live in continual sin demonstrate that they were never truly saved (the doctrine of "perseverance of the saints").
Analysis:
MacArthur’s view aligns well with biblical teachings on justification and sanctification. His assertion that a genuine believer will demonstrate a transformed life is rooted in passages like James 2:14-26 (faith without works is dead) and 1 John 3:9.
Score for Salvation: 95,000
MacArthur’s theology on salvation is strongly biblical, with a solid alignment to scriptural teaching on both justification and sanctification . 4. The Role and Work of the Holy Spirit
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur is a cessationist, meaning he believes that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, ceased after the apostolic age. He teaches that the Holy Spirit’s primary role today is to illuminate Scripture, convict of sin, and empower believers for righteous living.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Cessationism: MacArthur's view is based on passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, which he interprets to mean that the miraculous gifts were temporary and intended for the apostolic era. However, others interpret these verses differently, suggesting the "perfect" refers to the return of Christ, not the completion of the canon of Scripture.
• Gifts of the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 affirm the existence of spiritual gifts within the church, but MacArthur limits these gifts to those that serve the edification of the body of Christ. His cessationist stance conflicts with the view of many modern charismatics, who argue that the gifts continue today.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s cessationism is biblically defensible, but it is also a matter of theological debate. Some argue that the gifts of the Spirit were meant for all ages, not just the apostolic era, particularly considering the ongoing need for God’s work in the church. However, his emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s work in empowering believers for holy living and guiding them into all truth (John 14:26) is biblically sound.
Score for Holy Spirit: 90,000
MacArthur’s theology on the Holy Spirit is biblically rooted but his cessationism is open to debate, as there are different interpretations of key texts.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur emphasizes the biblical model of church leadership, which includes a plurality of elders (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1). He is also strong on the importance of a proper understanding of the Lord’s Supper and baptism, and he advocates for church discipline to ensure the purity of the body of Christ.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Eldership: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 clearly outline the qualifications for elders. MacArthur’s emphasis on a qualified plurality of elders aligns well with these passages.
• Church Discipline: Matthew 18:15-20 speaks to the necessity of church discipline, something MacArthur strongly upholds. His commitment to the proper administration of the sacraments and discipline is biblically sound.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s ecclesiology is in strong alignment with Scripture. His commitment to biblical leadership and church order reflects the New Testament teachings on church government and discipline.
Score for Ecclesiology: 98,000
MacArthur’s understanding of the church is biblically faithful and aligns well with the scriptural teachings on church structure and discipline.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur holds to a premillennial, dispensational understanding of eschatology, meaning he believes in a literal future 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth after His second coming.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Premillennialism: Revelation 20:1-6 describes a future 1,000-year reign of Christ, which MacArthur interprets literally. This view is consistent with the text but is debated by amillennialists and postmillennialists.
• Second Coming: MacArthur emphasizes the literal, bodily return of Christ (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16).
Analysis:
MacArthur’s premillennialism is a common interpretation, particularly within Reformed and evangelical circles. His view of the second coming is also supported by a straightforward reading of key eschatological passages.
Score for Eschatology: 95,000
MacArthur’s eschatological beliefs are biblically consistent, but some may disagree with his interpretation of the Millennium.
MacArthur’s View:
MacArthur is a strong proponent of sola scriptura, teaching that Scripture is the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice. He rejects any additional sources of authority, such as tradition or personal experience.
Scriptural Comparison:
• Sola Scriptura: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that all Scripture is "God-breathed" and is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. MacArthur’s position is firmly supported by this text.
Analysis:
MacArthur’s commitment to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture is a key aspect of his theology and aligns directly with biblical teaching.
Score for Sola Scriptura: 100,000
MacArthur’s theology of Scripture is entirely consistent with biblical teachings.
Final Score:
After considering the areas above, I would assess John MacArthur's theology as follows:
• Salvation: 95,000
• Holy Spirit: 90,000
• Ecclesiology: 98,000
• Eschatology: 95,000
• Sola Scriptura: 100,000
Final Score: 95,600
This score represents MacArthur’s theology as highly aligned with Scripture, especially in areas of salvation, church structure, and Scripture’s authority. The more debatable areas—such as his cessationism and eschatological views—reflect some divergence from other interpretations within the Christian tradition, but they remain grounded in a solid biblical framework.
You used a lot of words to say absolutely nothing. Oh well. Have a blessed day!
Lol ok you too.
I would like for you expand on what exactly makes it so dangerous.
I keep hearing people say that but it is always just parroting. Hopefully you will be able to explain why you believe it is dangerous.
Thanks!
Sure man. In my opinion the "danger" is multifaceted.
First, it is just wrong on every point of TULIP in my opinion - the ramifications of that could vary. More specifically, I feel that carried to its necessary and logical conclusions, it defames God, or at least God's character. Exodus 34:6-7 God says "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
Straight from the mouth of God, he is giving us who He is, which the Calvinist God contradicts. The Calvinist God already damned you to hell or decided you're saved before you were created. There is no choice, no free will, and no change to change a single thing about your life or actions. It teaches determinism, or that God's sovereign will governs all events, including human choice, and are by His decree.
This creates a monster of a God. Child molesters are in His will, you're destined for Hell before you were born, etc.
Part of why this is dangerous is (and this is anecdotal I know) that every single deconversion testimony I've watched (9 or so) and every personal story of someone who I've met that used to be a Christian, when you take the time to listen and hear their story, every single time, you can tell from what they talk about as far as theology goes, that they came from a Calvinist background.
There's a lot more I could delve into as far as my opinion of the dangers of Calvinism, but I'll leave it here, at the simple point that Calvinism teaches a theology when carried to its logical conclusions means there was no need for Jesus and the cross - you were already saved (or not) before all of creation. It leads to a monster of a God, and it leads to completely undermine everything from prayer (why pray if it is already all determined) to evangelism to repentance.
I say this with a full acknowledgement that some Calvinists that I've known have been some of the most serious and committed Christians of any type that I've ever met.
I totally think you're still saved if you're a Calvinist, but I think teaching the doctrine can lead to a serious shipwreck of faith for those that listen to you down the road.
Anyways, there's a "short" answer. I am sure that Calvinists could probably say things about my theology that they would consider dangerous too, but that's where I fall on the matter.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
First:
This is true and you won't have an easy time finding a Calvanist that doesn't believe this. Remember, in the Old Testament, God gave the Jews hundreds and hundreds of years to repent from their ways before casting divine judgement each time. See: Sodom and Gomorrah along with Nineveh as quick examples. (Nineveh was closer to 150 years after God initially spared them via Jonah). He loved them and wanted them to choose Him in their worship and lifestyles but instead, they chose idol worship and idoltry so, divine justice was served.
I think the separation in belief on free will is, most believe free will extends to all facets of our reality when Calvanists believe our free will pertains only to our worldly decisions and has absolutely zero impact on our spiritual life, which exists outside of, but along with, our physical world. Our free will is limited to choices typically based on a moral compass; good vs. evil. We have absolutely zero say in our spiritual life.
Literally everyone's default destination is Hell when born as a human. We are incapable of not living in sin. The Bible is very clear about this. See Romans 3, 5 & Ephesians 2.
Here's a couple fun little thought exercise:
How did God know he loved Jacob and hated Esau before they were born?
Why did Jesus pick Judas of Iscariot as a disciple, giving him full privileges as the others, knowing he would betray Him?
I can appreciate where you are coming from, even if I do not agree with your conclusions. I invite you to take some time to go over the following passages and see if you find a common theme in all of them. I would enjoy discussing further with you from there:
Ephesians 1:4-5,11
Romans 8:29-30
Romans 9:10-24
John 6:37,44
Acts 13:48
2 Timothy 1:9
Titus 1:1-2
John 15:16
Matthew 11:27
Revelation 13:8
Revelation 17:8
Thank you for staying civil.
Oh definitely, Calvinists, if nothing else, know their Bible well, even if I think their interpretations are off. I wouldn't expect to ever present a piece of scripture that they say that they don't believe.
I think what it boils down to for the main point I started with, is in what sense is God good, if he pre-ordained that the majority of people who ever lived should be destined for hell?
I think the arguments about original sin (which I don't agree with as you stated it), predestination, free will, etc. are all good conversations to have, but are somewhat adjacent to what maybe the main necessary and logical conclusion of Calvinism is - that God is not a good or loving God. The God in Calvinism (which really didn't start there, it started more in the philosophical writings of Augustine) logically has to contradict what the Bible says about His character.
You said that the default position of every human is Hell (which I disagree with, but let's grant that) - why is that? God pre-ordained that to be the case, pre-ordained the fall, pre-ordained every sin, pre-ordained whom He would call and save.
So we could go back and forth about the truth according to scripture on the doctrines of original sin, predestination, etc. but to get to the heart of the matter of your original question, on why it is "dangerous", it is because carried to the necessary and logical conclusions, Calvinism creates a God that is not good, not loving, is totally inconsistent with scripture like John 3:16, is a liar, and in no real sense love or good if He pre-ordained the majority of all people to ever live to be condemned to hell.
And again, why pray, be baptized, evangelize at all, repent, confess Jesus is Lord, or take any actions that are morally relevant for yourself or others at all if it is already determined and pre-ordained before the foundations of the world?
Again, I probably used a lot of words on repeat to say very little, but I think that's the danger in Calvinism, and where that logic doesn't work, is where deconversions happen and we see people giving up on Chris/God.
To a Calvinist though, I guess that's not really a danger, because if that person de-converted, it was already pre-ordained that they become a Christian, become dissatisfied, and de-convert because it was pre-ordained that they were destined for Hell all along.
See what I mean with this over-emphasized illustration?
Cheers bud, Calvinists aren't my enemy, I just think it is a misguided theology that I'd like to see corrected and the ultimate end of over time, for the good of the body.
Thank you for sharing that so honestly and clearly. It's obvious you’ve wrestled with these things deeply, and I respect that. These are not light issues, and your concerns strike at the heart of how we view God's character, human responsibility, and salvation itself. Let me speak to you not as a theological opponent, but as a brother who cares more about the Person of God than winning an argument.
You asked, how can God be good and loving if He preordains that many will be condemned? That’s a real, weighty question; one that has haunted hearts for centuries. I won’t offer a glib answer, but I would ask you to consider: what if God’s goodness isn’t measured by how many are saved, but by the kind of mercy He shows to any at all? What if the stunning thing isn’t that many perish, but that any are rescued, at great cost to Himself?
You’re right to say that Calvinism takes seriously God’s sovereignty. But sovereignty, rightly understood, doesn’t mean God is a cold dictator—it means He’s not surprised by anything and that His purposes will not fail. His justice is real. His wrath is real. But so is His mercy, patience, and love. He does love the world. His arms are open. No one who comes to Him is turned away. But not all want to come—and that’s not Calvinism talking, that’s humanity's story since Eden. Humans cannot escape total depravity.
You raised a good point about why pray, evangelize, repent, or pursue holiness if God already knows the end. That’s a fair question. But here’s the beauty: God ordains the ends and the means. Prayer is effective, not despite God’s sovereignty, but because of it. Evangelism works, not in spite of God’s plan, but through it. Repentance, confession, baptism; these aren’t meaningless rituals, but gifts God uses to draw and transform His people. He doesn’t bulldoze our will; He changes it, over time, through His Spirit.
You mentioned that this doctrine has led people to deconversion. That breaks my heart. Truly. But I’ve also seen this same doctrine be the anchor for believers going through their darkest hour.. when all seems lost, they cling not to their faithfulness, but to God's. Not to their strength, but to His sovereignty. To know that He’s not surprised or outmatched, that He chose them not based on performance but grace, that sustains.
And finally, you said Calvinists aren’t your enemy. Thank you for that. The unity of the body matters more than the names we put on our systems. At the end of the day, we’re both trying to uphold God’s glory and take His Word seriously. We may disagree on the how — but we worship the same holy, merciful, and just God. I hope these words help you see that what Calvinism attempts to do is not distort God’s goodness, but magnify His grace in light of our deep need.
I’m grateful for your honesty. I pray God continues to lead both of us into deeper truth and that we never stop asking hard questions with humble hearts.
I will pray that God blesses you and yours, brother.
I could have done better addressing this, so I am also leaving this for you to consider:
I do truly understand why the presence of evil in the world leads many to wrestle with God’s character. It’s a hard reality when we see things like abuse, murder, and deep injustice. But we must be careful not to let our emotions or limited understanding define who God is. God is not the author of evil. He never commits evil, tempts anyone to evil, nor delights in evil. Yet He is absolutely sovereign over it. That means evil does not surprise Him, overwhelm Him, or disrupt His plan. He uses it, without endorsing it, for the purposes of His perfect will.
Evil exists because mankind rebelled. The human race fell in Adam, and from that point forward every human heart has been inclined toward sin. God didn’t force anyone to sin; sin flows freely from a heart that does not love God. And yet, God remains in control. Not to violate human responsibility, but to ensure that every act, even the worst of them, ultimately serves His glory and purpose.
Why does He allow it? Because through it, He reveals things we could not otherwise see. Without sin, there is no display of mercy. Without rebellion, there is no redemption. Without evil, we would never know the depths of God’s justice or the riches of His grace. The greatest example of this is the cross. There, the greatest evil ever committed (the execution of the sinless Son of God) became the very means by which God saved His people. That was no accident. It was God’s plan before the foundation of the world.
So no, God is not a monster. He is holy. He is righteous. He will judge every sin. No wicked act escapes His notice, and none will go unpunished. He either judges sin at the cross, through the substitutionary death of Christ for those who believe, or He will judge it in eternity upon those who refuse Him. He does not ignore evil. He conquers it. And in His perfect timing, He will wipe it away forever.
The reality is, God’s patience in allowing evil is not cruelty.. It’s mercy. Every day He delays final judgment is another day He calls sinners to repentance. His justice will come. And when it does, it will be perfect. Every wrong will be made right.
If we demand that God only do what we understand, we are not seeking God. We are seeking control. But the God of Scripture is not accountable to our sense of fairness. He is infinitely wiser, infinitely holier, and perfectly just in all He does. And He has revealed enough of Himself that we can trust Him, even when we do not yet see the full picture.
I am truly confident that one day, every person who knows Christ will look back on history, including all the horrors of this fallen world, and say with complete confidence, "He did all things well."
God bless the Spirit of John Fullerton MacArthur.
Amen! His boldness during the COVID Plandemic puts to shame (IMHO) some other believers who will remain nameless (at least by me - but Megan Bashear names names!) . If anyone here has a loved one who has lost a pre-born child or a young child, I highly recommend Safe In The Arms of God by John Mac Arthur.
I deeply will miss both him and his example to us.
Thank you for posting this. He was a great man.
Precious to the Lord are the deaths of His saints. We will see him again so long as we are in Christ!
o7
We sent Grace our weekly tithe during that lockdown shitshow.
As I'm sure many also did! If you haven't already had a chance to watch it, the documentary The Essential Church details the entire saga in incredible detail. God is good!
I am glad you had him as a beacon of light even in such a desecrate wasteland of morality that Cali has become.
He was a beacon of light to the whole world, dating all the way back to when his Grace to You ministry started as cassette tape distributions that spread and rapidly grew worldwide. If God can use a single person so mightily for His Kingdom, how much more if we follow MacArthur's example even as he followed Christ!