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John MacArthur

From Theopedia

John MacArthur

John F. MacArthur, Jr. (June 14 1939 - ) is a fifth-generation preacher who serves as a pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He is also a prolific author, conference speaker, and is president of The Master's College and Seminary. MacArthur received a B.A. from Los Angeles Pacific College, his M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary, Litt.D. at Grace Graduate School, and D.D. from Talbot Theological Seminary. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he regularly teaches Expository Preaching at the seminary and frequently speaks in chapel.

MacArthur's theology is best described as evangelical, Calvinistic, and moderately dispensational. He is a strong proponent of expository preaching which he advocates in his Rediscovering Expository Preaching (1992). His book The Gospel According to Jesus (1988) caused controversy in the evangelical church by arguing for Lordship salvation, which maintains that good works are a necessary result and evidence of being justified before God -- in opposition to the "easy-believism" he saw becoming rampant in the church. His book Charismatic Chaos (1992) argued that the theology and practice of Charismatics and Pentecostals regarding the "gifts of the Spirit" (healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, etc.) are incorrect at best and blasphemous at worst.

MacArthur's writings are similarly critical of other modern Christian movements such as those who teach the controversial "prosperity gospel" and "seeker-friendly" leaders such as Robert Schuller, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren. He is also a strong advocate of the Biblical Counseling movement which stresses the Bible as a tool for counseling, rejecting the theories and techniques of modern psychologists in dealing with spiritual issues.

Though occasionally viewed by some groups as a controversial figure for strong critiques of Freudian psychology and trends in the modern charismatic movement as well as the self-esteem movement, MacArthur is seen by many as a champion of correcting many of the ills of evangelical Christianity. He is also a champion of helping believers grow stronger in their relationship with God through the committed study of the Word and personal commitment to the local church.

1 Quotes
2 Selected publications
3 External links
- 3.1 Online works

Quotes

"The world is filled with millions of people who think they are headed for heaven-but they are deadly wrong. Probably most people think heaven awaits them, but it doesn't." (Hard to Believe)
"I have no idea how the fans of Christianity Lite reconcile their approach to religion with the teachings of Jesus, or how they become comfortable ignoring what He said. But the only acceptable approach — for me and you — is to take our Lord at His word in the single source of truth for every authentic Christian: the word of God revealed in the Bible." (Hard to Believe)

Selected publications

The Gospel According to Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988
You Can Trust the Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988
When the Healing Doesn't Come. Valencia, CA: Word of Grace Communications, 1988
Our Sufficiency in Christ. Waco, TX: Word, 1991
Charismatic Chaos. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992
Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas, TX: Word, 1992
How to Meet the Enemy. Wheaton, IL: ChariotVictor Publishing, 1992
Saved Without a Doubt. Wheaton, IL: ChariotVictor Publishing, 1992
Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles. Dallas, TX: Word, 1993
Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World. Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1993
The Gospel According to Jesus (revised and expanded). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994
The Vanishing Conscience. Dallas, TX: Word, 1994
Introduction to Biblical Counseling. Dallas, TX: Word, 1994 (co-authored with Dr. Wayne Mack)
Reckless Faith: When the Church Loses its Will to Discern. Dallas, TX: Word, 1994
First Love: The Joy and Simplicity of Life in Christ. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995
The Power of Suffering: Strengthening Your Faith in the Refiner's Fire. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995
Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry. Dallas, TX: Word, 1995
Hard to Believe. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003
1 Peter (Commentary). Moody Press, 2005
2 Peter and Jude (Commentary). Moody, 2005