If you haven’t yet heard, John MacArthur, one of the most influential voices in evangelicalism, is reportedly nearing the end of his life. For many Christians, this news stirs up a storm of emotions—grief, reflection, maybe even relief.
Thank you. Excellent writing and clear thinking focused not totally on JM, but on us and how we regard him. Blind approval robbs him of the witness he needs in his dying days.
Thank you, Kaeley, for daring to speak up, knowing you'd be blasted for doing so. I'm so glad my parents warned me, during my growing-up years, never to expect a pastor/preacher/teacher to become more important or exalted than Jesus and His Word. Even the best of the best have feet of clay, and sometimes their pride interferes with their purity. On a separate note, I find it ironic that AnAmericanReader commends MacArthur for "remaining faithful" to a literal reading of the creation account in Genesis. It would be more accurate to say that he remained faithful to his own personal reading of Genesis. He refused to consider others' literal reading of the text, readings consistent with the rest of what Scripture tells us about creation. The same could be said of his "reading" of texts about women. John saw HIS reading as THE literal reading, even when fellow inerrantists read the text differently.
You’re fighting the good fight, Kaeley, and doing it with a great deal of compassion. As a Catholic, I felt much of this around the death of Pope Francis. He was particularly lauded by the liberal press, but he was someone who enabled and covered up for some of the most heinous abusers in our church, including the vile Rupnick. But this was all overlooked by many because he was a “progressive” pope. Different but the same in so many ways. Powerful men covering for other men.
Kaeley, thank you for sharing this. I had been in circles that held John MacArthur in high regard, and there were many points on which I would agree with him. I even quoted Scripture from the Legacy Standard Bible which was a revision of the NASB 1995 produced by The Master's Seminary (I have recently avoided the LSB and preferred the Lexham English Bible for the same reasons you have cited in your article).
That being said, it is true that MacArthur enabled abuse and made a mockery of forgiveness by not exercising church discipline on abusive husbands. We should be honest about the sins and failures of our leaders, and remember that they are men and not God. We should also care for those who are abused and downtrodden so that God might be glorified in our midst.
May God be merciful to us all and remind us not to put our trust in fallen human leaders.
Kaeley, thank you for speaking up. And you didn't even mention the many other instances that point to how low he had fallen. He had come to confuse harshness with faithfulness.
I had been praying for JM to repent before he died... for the sake of his conscience, for the sake of all who have been hurt by his twisted and malignant brand of authoritarianism, for the sake of those who still attend GTY to have a moment of clarity and perhaps realize what they've been supporting, and for the sake of the truth-telling, justice-loving little churches who are trying to be both faithful witnesses and safe havens in their communities, because men like JM bring a shadow of disrepute on all those who call themselves Christians.
An excellent description of the tightrope, as you described it.
I grieve for everyone who has been subject to abuse by leaders. Such abuse may be forgivable, but it remains unconscionable.
John MacArthur may have been a great teacher, and praise God for the good fruit, yet he denied much of the work of the Holy Spirit, which yields bad fruit.
Unrepentant leaders beed to be called out publicly by other leaders. That too is following the instructions in Matthew 18.
Thank you for writing this. I attached his church for a few years in the 1980s. His knowledge of koine Greek and his exegetical skills were beyond question. Yet he seemed to miss the point: we study the Scriptures so that we might know the mind of G-d. Not proof texts, but the entire character and nature of the Holy One. And I had a dear friend in an abusive marriage who was treated similarly by her church. Fortunately, at the advice of friends who knew about God’s compassion and mercy, she fled, and managed to recover somewhat.
Another banger!! 💪🏻 “But forgiveness doesn’t mean silence. It doesn’t mean pretending the harm didn’t happen. It means speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), holding leaders accountable, and protecting the vulnerable” soooo much this!!
I have zero sympathy for McArthur. He is a cold, prideful man who tossed the wounded/hurt sheep off the cliff. And, yes, he has been placed on a pedestal like some other atrocious “leaders”. I hope his passing will bring some peace to his victims.
Thank you. Excellent writing and clear thinking focused not totally on JM, but on us and how we regard him. Blind approval robbs him of the witness he needs in his dying days.
Thank you, Kaeley, for daring to speak up, knowing you'd be blasted for doing so. I'm so glad my parents warned me, during my growing-up years, never to expect a pastor/preacher/teacher to become more important or exalted than Jesus and His Word. Even the best of the best have feet of clay, and sometimes their pride interferes with their purity. On a separate note, I find it ironic that AnAmericanReader commends MacArthur for "remaining faithful" to a literal reading of the creation account in Genesis. It would be more accurate to say that he remained faithful to his own personal reading of Genesis. He refused to consider others' literal reading of the text, readings consistent with the rest of what Scripture tells us about creation. The same could be said of his "reading" of texts about women. John saw HIS reading as THE literal reading, even when fellow inerrantists read the text differently.
You’re fighting the good fight, Kaeley, and doing it with a great deal of compassion. As a Catholic, I felt much of this around the death of Pope Francis. He was particularly lauded by the liberal press, but he was someone who enabled and covered up for some of the most heinous abusers in our church, including the vile Rupnick. But this was all overlooked by many because he was a “progressive” pope. Different but the same in so many ways. Powerful men covering for other men.
Well said, Kaeley. I agree with everything you wrote. No one is beyond being held accountable for their actions.
I had no idea about the Eileen Gray situation. Thank you for informing me. That completely changes my view of his legacy.
You do good, brave work and I admire your integrity and spiritual maturity. Thank you.
Kaeley, thank you for sharing this. I had been in circles that held John MacArthur in high regard, and there were many points on which I would agree with him. I even quoted Scripture from the Legacy Standard Bible which was a revision of the NASB 1995 produced by The Master's Seminary (I have recently avoided the LSB and preferred the Lexham English Bible for the same reasons you have cited in your article).
That being said, it is true that MacArthur enabled abuse and made a mockery of forgiveness by not exercising church discipline on abusive husbands. We should be honest about the sins and failures of our leaders, and remember that they are men and not God. We should also care for those who are abused and downtrodden so that God might be glorified in our midst.
May God be merciful to us all and remind us not to put our trust in fallen human leaders.
Kaeley, thank you for speaking up. And you didn't even mention the many other instances that point to how low he had fallen. He had come to confuse harshness with faithfulness.
I had been praying for JM to repent before he died... for the sake of his conscience, for the sake of all who have been hurt by his twisted and malignant brand of authoritarianism, for the sake of those who still attend GTY to have a moment of clarity and perhaps realize what they've been supporting, and for the sake of the truth-telling, justice-loving little churches who are trying to be both faithful witnesses and safe havens in their communities, because men like JM bring a shadow of disrepute on all those who call themselves Christians.
My word, I like your heart and your style - may God have mercy upon us all
I would like to add to my previous comment and share the Lord’s words in Luke 17:
3-4 giving emphasis to “if he repents” - if your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him”
here is one sad story:
https://thewartburgwatch.com/2017/09/23/janes-traumatic-rape-and-subsequent-mistreatment-by-officials-at-the-masters-college-now-university/
Beautifully said! Thank you
An excellent description of the tightrope, as you described it.
I grieve for everyone who has been subject to abuse by leaders. Such abuse may be forgivable, but it remains unconscionable.
John MacArthur may have been a great teacher, and praise God for the good fruit, yet he denied much of the work of the Holy Spirit, which yields bad fruit.
Unrepentant leaders beed to be called out publicly by other leaders. That too is following the instructions in Matthew 18.
Thank you for writing this. I attached his church for a few years in the 1980s. His knowledge of koine Greek and his exegetical skills were beyond question. Yet he seemed to miss the point: we study the Scriptures so that we might know the mind of G-d. Not proof texts, but the entire character and nature of the Holy One. And I had a dear friend in an abusive marriage who was treated similarly by her church. Fortunately, at the advice of friends who knew about God’s compassion and mercy, she fled, and managed to recover somewhat.
Another banger!! 💪🏻 “But forgiveness doesn’t mean silence. It doesn’t mean pretending the harm didn’t happen. It means speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), holding leaders accountable, and protecting the vulnerable” soooo much this!!
I have zero sympathy for McArthur. He is a cold, prideful man who tossed the wounded/hurt sheep off the cliff. And, yes, he has been placed on a pedestal like some other atrocious “leaders”. I hope his passing will bring some peace to his victims.
Amen and Amen.