“From Admiration to Disassociation: A Reflection on John MacArthur’s Legacy”

For a number of personal reasons, I hesitated to write and share this post publicly, but I realized that I needed to find the courage to speak. I invite you to read the following reflection with thoughtfulness and care.

I began listening to John MacArthur nearly 30 years ago, tuning in to Grace to You as a high school junior or senior. Over time, I grew to admire him as a gifted expositor of Scripture and even considered him a kind of distant mentor. His commitment to biblical teaching left a strong impression on me during my formative years.

Years ago, when I was dating Katia, the first gift I gave her after she became a Christian was the “MacArthur Study Bible.” At the time, I was a seminary student, and I had also invested in the complete “MacArthur Commentary” series on both the Old and New Testaments. I owned nearly every book he had written and many of his sermon series on cassette and CD recordings. In fact, I was so committed to his ministry that I became a financial partner with Grace to You, contributing monthly to support his work and global ministry.

However, as I matured spiritually, theologically, and intellectually, I began to listen to him and read his books more critically, even with growing intellectual skepticism. I took notes on his views about women in ministry, pastoral authority, speaking in tongues, dispensationalism, and his positions on pressing social and political issues such as the Civil Rights movement, Christian nationalism, white supremacy, race, gender, immigration, social justice, the Black Lives Movement, police brutality, Liberation Theology, Black Theology, etc. (In my book, “Theological Education and Christian Scholarship for Human Flourishing,” I engage some of these issues). What once felt like conviction or a sort of (Christian) piety to me began to sound like rigidity and intolerance. Not only did I find myself disagreeing with him on many of these matters, but I was also troubled by the way he spoke about those who held different political and theological views and how in his own church, he advised certain women in abusive marriages to stay with their abusive husbands. MacArthur often demonstrated little grace or compassion to those he disagreed with theologically and politically. Further, his tone toward fellow Christians and the vulnerable was frequently dismissive, even combative.

Over time, I began to disassociate from his teaching. The final break came with his recent passing. For me, it was not just the event itself, but the silence that followed in Christian circles in this country. It struck me how little warmth or mourning came from the broader evangelical world, even some of his well-known Christian friends and followers. John MacArthur’s complex and ambiguous legacy in the Christian world and wider evangelical communities made me reflect deeply: perhaps, in the end, it’s more honorable to live with humility and compassion than to spend a life proving you’re always right and making enemies along the way. Gaining wisdom is the ultimate prize, and being a peacemaker or peace-builder is a lifelong commitment for the follower of Christ.

In closing, as a follower of Christ, I remain convinced that in the end, what matters most is not how much theology we master or how many debates we win, but whether our lives reflect the heart of Christ and embody his character.
True biblical discipleship is not measured by fame, knowledge, but by love, humility, and a deep concern for justice and for the vulnerable and the poor among us. Jesus consistently defended the poor, welcomed the outcast, and extended grace to the broken and the strangers. Followers of Christ are called to do the same, that is, to live with compassion, to speak with gentleness, to advocate for the marginalized, and to stand boldly for justice—especially fo the victims and the underrepresented populations and communities in society.

A faith that does not defend the vulnerable or uplift the oppressed is a faith that has lost sight of the gospel’s core. In a world marked by division, brokenness, and suffering, may followers of Christ be known not by their certainties, but by their Christ-likeness. May we become active peace makers and ambassadors of reconciliation in the world!