John MacArthur - Servant of the Word and Flock

Roger Pomeroy | October 2012 - Highfields Book of the Month

By Iain H. Murray - (2011) Edinburgh: Banner of Truth

John MacArthur has been described as a modern day Spurgeon! There is a likeness in the work of both men, not because MacArthur has imitated the great nineteenth century ‘Prince of Preachers’ but because both men have had similar ambitions for the cause of Christ. Both men, who are aligned to a Calvinistic and Reformed tradition, have been mighty men of the Word of God in their pulpits and in the promotion of Christian truth during their respective lifetimes. Both have lived in times when the scriptures and Christian traditions have been downgraded, yet they have both stood firm and worked tirelessly to prepare the next generation of likeminded men to follow them. 

John Fullerton MacArthur was born in Los Angeles, California on 19th June 1939. He was the son of Jack and Irene MacArthur.  Both his father and grandfather were preachers of the gospel. Not surprisingly John and his three sibling sisters were brought up in a warm loving environment where the Bible and its truth were taught and lived out in the daily life of the family home. John’s education was completed at the renowned Bob Jones University and it was while there in 1957 at the end of his first year that the experience of a serious road accident had a profound influence on his life. John was thrown from a car in which he was riding with five other fellow students but remarkably survived with friction burns and a hand that was scarred for life. Following the accident John recommitted his life to wholly follow and serve Christ. From this time forward the Christian ministry became his consuming passion.

In 1961 John went to Talbot Theological seminary and was greatly influenced by the dean, Dr. Charles L Feinberg. Following his graduation and marriage to Patricia Sue Smith in 1963, John considered further doctorate studies that would have involved liberal theology and humanistic philosophy but he desisted in this inclination and spent several years (1964-69) in preaching at youth conventions and conferences. Sometimes this involved preaching up to thirty-five times a month. In these years of itinerant preaching John was unsure of the sphere to which he should give attention. Perhaps it would be the pastorate or the work of an evangelist or even to the foreign mission field? Gradually however he realised that there was all around him a great spiritual ignorance and he felt a deepening concern to preach and teach the whole counsel of God.

It was in the early months of 1969 that John accepted a call and began ministry at the Grace Community Church, Los Angeles. This ministry continues to the present day. Consequences have followed which no one could have anticipated and which John MacArthur attributes to the sovereign hand of God. A people united to Christ and to their pastor have become a channel for blessing across the earth. It has proved to be a ministry marked by characteristics that re-appear in every spiritual advance with love for God and dependence on his Word and promises. MacArthur has shown that true preaching of the Word of God is international. It is relevant today and will be tomorrow as in all the years since it was first given. That is why John’s sermons are heard, read or listened to in more than two hundred countries around the world today.

This is also a human story, including the shaping of his youth, the strength of marriage and family, the refining influences of trials and controversies and the building of a man whose staff have never known him to be angry. There are many friends who, for all their love of his ministry say, his life is his best sermon.