Who was John MacArthur?

John Fullerton MacArthur, Jr., (1939—2025) was one of the most recognized and influential figures in recent American Christian ministry. An evangelical pastor, author, educator, and theologian, MacArthur led Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, for more than five decades. He was widely known for his strongly conservative theological convictions and his commitment to verse-by-verse Bible exposition. MacArthur founded The Master’s University (formerly The Master’s College) and Seminary and hosted the radio program Grace to You. He published hundreds of books, including The Gospel According to Jesus, Strange Fire, and Twelve Ordinary Men, as well as his award-winning best-seller, The MacArthur Study Bible. John MacArthur died on July 14, 2025, at the age of 86.

John MacArthur was born on June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in a devout Christian family, John came from a five-generation lineage of evangelical preachers. His father, Jack MacArthur, was a Baptist pastor and traveling evangelist who played a significant role in cultivating John’s early faith and interest in ministry. From a young age, John would imitate his father, standing atop a makeshift pulpit in his backyard to deliver sermons to neighborhood friends and his three younger sisters.

John MacArthur attended Bob Jones University for a short period before transferring to Los Angeles Pacific College, where he completed his undergraduate studies. Initially, he was more interested in football than in a pulpit ministry. But during his early years of college, John was injured in a traumatic car accident that landed him in the hospital for many months. Through this experience, he began to discern God’s call on his life. To that aim, MacArthur attended Talbot Theological Seminary, earning his Master of Divinity degree and laying the theological foundation for his future work.

MacArthur initially served as an associate pastor under his father at the Harry MacArthur Memorial Bible Church, a church named in honor of his grandfather. A few years later, in 1969, MacArthur was called to pastor Grace Community Church, a nondenominational, independent, modest-sized congregation in Sun Valley, California. Under his leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth, both in numbers and spiritual depth. MacArthur’s preaching style was unique—he developed his book-by-book, verse-by-verse systematic approach to explaining the Scriptures, providing historical context, language analysis, and practical application.

MacArthur’s faithfulness to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture formed the bedrock of his ministry. He rejected trends toward entertainment-focused services or the watering down of doctrine for the sake of popularity. Instead, he insisted on the primacy of biblical truth, challenging his congregation to engage deeply with Scripture and to live lives marked by holiness and discernment. Within a decade, the church grew from 400 members to more than 3,000. Today, Grace Community Church is one of the largest Protestant churches in Los Angeles and one of the most respected evangelical congregations in the United States, drawing thousands of worshipers each week and serving as a model for expository teaching and church leadership worldwide.

In 1977, MacArthur launched the Grace to You radio broadcast, featuring his sermons and teachings, and bringing verse-by-verse Bible exposition to listeners across the United States and, eventually, around the world. Through radio, books, articles, and digital resources, MacArthur’s teaching has been translated into multiple languages and accessed by millions. The ministry also provides resources for personal and corporate spiritual growth, with sermon archives, study guides, and other materials that equip Christians to engage in deep biblical study and teaching wherever they live.

John MacArthur wrote and edited more than 150 books and study guides, encompassing a range of topics, including theology, Christian living, church history, and biblical exposition. Among his most notable contributions is The MacArthur Study Bible (first published in 1997), a comprehensive resource that includes detailed notes, introductions, and cross-references, helping readers understand the deeper meaning of Scripture. He later published The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, a 34-volume series covering every verse of the New Testament.

In 1985, MacArthur became president of The Master’s College (now The Master’s University) in Santa Clarita, California, an institution committed to rigorous academic instruction grounded in scriptural truth. Within two years, The Master’s Seminary was launched and dedicated to training men for pastoral ministry and church leadership.

John MacArthur, known for his strong commitment to Reformed doctrine, participated in several public debates, particularly on topics related to the nature of salvation and charismatic gifts and practices. He was a vocal critic of the prosperity gospel, the seeker-sensitive church movement, and any trends that deviate from the fundamental teachings of Scripture. His teachings sometimes sparked controversy, but he remained a highly influential figure in evangelical circles, renowned for his unwavering dedication to Scripture and the centrality of the gospel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MacArthur and Grace Community Church made national headlines by defying local lockdown orders and continuing to hold in-person worship services, citing religious liberty and the importance of corporate worship. This decision brought legal challenges and media attention and further underscored MacArthur’s resolve to stand on conscience and conviction, regardless of popular opinion.

John and Patricia MacArthur were married in 1963 and together raised four children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. As a man, John was known for his disciplined lifestyle, his devotion to family, and his commitment to mentoring young pastors and leaders.

Despite his success and influence, MacArthur was often described as a servant, called to proclaim God’s Word faithfully and to shepherd the people entrusted to his care. His humility, combined with his passion for truth, endeared him to many within and beyond his congregation. His dedication to biblical truth helped transform countless individuals and inspire them to know and love God’s Word more deeply.

Through his preaching, writings, educational leadership, and lifelong commitment to the authority of Scripture, John MacArthur has left an indelible mark on millions within the evangelical Christian landscape. Whether admired or critiqued, his life stands as a testament to the power of conviction, the significance of faithful leadership, and the enduring impact of a life devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.