Influential Evangelical Preacher John Macarthur Dies At 86

The Rev. John MacArthur, an influential and exacting evangelical preacher, died Monday astatine nan property of 86.

He led Grace Community Church successful nan Los Angeles vicinity of Sun Valley for much than 5 decades. His ministry announced his decease connected societal media. On Sunday, Tom Patton, 1 of nan church’s pastors, told nan congregation MacArthur had been hospitalized pinch pneumonia.

MacArthur made news during nan coronavirus pandemic for flouting Los Angeles County’s wellness orders by holding indoor services for hundreds of congregants and refusing to enforce masking and physical-distancing requirements.

Well earlier then, his power had dispersed acold beyond Southern California, wherever he grew up and took nan helm of his nondenominational congregation astatine property 29.

His Grace to You broadcast ministry circulated his theologically blimpish teachings while his galore books, including nan celebrated MacArthur Study Bible, were translated into dozens of languages.

“His bequest arsenic a pastor and coach successful nan religion will proceed to animate galore generations to come,” said Jonathan Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University, wherever MacArthur had fixed nan convocation address.

Dressed successful a suit and tie, he eschewed popular civilization references and affectional appeals from nan pulpit, moreover arsenic they became mainstays of modern evangelicalism.

His followers lauded him for his expository preaching, successful which he walked them done Scripture statement by line. He wanted his sermons to beryllium timeless explanations of nan Bible arsenic he interpreted it.

“He could get much retired of a Bible verse than anyone I’ve ever known,” evangelical leader Franklin Graham wrote connected societal media. He called MacArthur 1 of “America’s awesome Bible teachers.”

He was “a lion of nan pulpit,” wrote nan Rev. Al Mohler, a Southern Baptist leader, for nan evangelical World magazine. “He was a preacher God utilized to make different preachers amended preachers.”

MacArthur was unafraid to operation contention for nan liking of his beliefs, moreover deriding chap evangelicals for what he saw arsenic incorrect teachings and theology, including nan increasing charismatic helping of Christianity.

He was an outspoken proponent of complementarianism — nan belief that men and women person different roles and women should not beryllium pastors. He publically rebuked 2 influential evangelical women: nan celebrated Bible coach Beth Moore and nan Rev. Paula White-Cain, a belief advisor to President Donald Trump.

During a packed, indoor Sunday greeting work astatine nan tallness of nan coronavirus pandemic, MacArthur told applauding congregants that they were not gathering to beryllium rebellious, but because “our Lord has commanded america to travel together and believe him.”

The region and nan religion traded lawsuits, pinch nan second arguing nan COVID-19 mandates violated their law correct to belief freedom. In August 2021, nan county’s committee of supervisors voted to salary $800,000 to Grace Community Church to settee nan suit — an result MacArthur hailed arsenic a “monumental victory.”

The religion has besides weathered allegations related to its handling of maltreatment allegations and its curen of women leaving abusive marriages.

MacArthur hailed from a agelong statement of pastors, including his father. As portion of his ministry, he helped train early religion leaders done nan Master’s University and nan Master’s Seminary, some successful Southern California.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his 4 big children, Matt, Marcy, Mark and Melinda, on pinch 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

MacArthur had suffered from wellness problems successful caller years, including bosom and lung procedures.

He said astir his sick wellness successful a video connection to a religion activity convention earlier this year.

“I recognize I’m connected nan past lap,” he said. “That takes connected a caller meaning erstwhile you cognize you’re connected nan short extremity of nan candle. I americium each acknowledgment and praise to God for everything he’s allowed maine to beryllium a portion of and everything he’s accomplished by his Word successful these years of ministry.”