John MacArthur Leaves a Lasting Legacy on a Generation of Preachers

The Beloved Expositor Dies at 86 After Brief Illness

SUN VALLEY, Calif. — John F. MacArthur, the influential pastor, author, and Bible teacher, passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 86 after a short battle with pneumonia. His death marks the end of a remarkable 56-year tenure as senior pastor of Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles area, where he became a leading voice in conservative evangelicalism and a pillar of biblical exposition.

“At the center of Dr. MacArthur’s ministry was an unwavering commitment to declare God’s truth,” read a statement from the elders of Grace Community Church. “Even in recent years, though beset with health challenges, he persisted in teaching, leading, and investing in the ministries the Lord had entrusted to him.”

The statement went on to describe MacArthur’s resilience and deep faith: “Pastor John modeled a true fortitude for his Lord Jesus, believing that to live is Christ and therefore to die is gain.”

Born into a family of ministry, MacArthur followed in the footsteps of his father, Jack MacArthur, a well-known evangelist in the Los Angeles region. He joined the staff at Grace Community Church in 1969 and soon after became senior pastor. Under his leadership, the church grew into a nationally recognized institution grounded in rigorous biblical teaching.

MacArthur was particularly known for his exegetical preaching—a verse-by-verse method of interpreting and teaching the Bible. His emphasis on faithful exposition over topical preaching set the tone for generations of conservative pastors, many of whom cite him as a primary influence in their own ministries.

His teaching ministry extended far beyond the pulpit. In 1969, MacArthur launched the radio and television broadcast “Grace To You”, which today airs on over 2,500 radio stations across all 50 U.S. states and in 27 countries.

MacArthur was also a prolific author. His works include over 100 books, among them a 34-volume New Testament commentary series and the MacArthur Study Bible, which has sold more than 4 million copies, according to Thomas Nelson Publishers. His first commentary, developed from sermon notes on Hebrews, laid the foundation for one of the best-selling Bible resources in the world.

Moody Bible Institute President Mark Jobe praised MacArthur as “a man of unwavering conviction and profound dedication to the clear and faithful exposition of God’s Word.”

Though not a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, MacArthur had strong ties to Southern Baptists and was often invited to speak at SBC seminaries and conferences. His work significantly influenced Baptist pastors and theologians.

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Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee and former president of Gateway Seminary, described MacArthur’s sermons and commentaries as “an asset to me as a pastor,” noting, “His influence on a generation of preachers will carry on for years to come.”

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called MacArthur “the greatest expositor of his times,” emphasizing his extraordinary ability to diligently study the Word of God and communicate it with clarity and conviction.

A Calvinist by self-identification, MacArthur stood apart in many theological circles due to his dispensational premillennial view of eschatology—a position often rejected by fellow Calvinists. In a 2007 sermon series titled “Why Every Calvinist Should Be a Premillennialist,” MacArthur laid out his argument for a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, including a distinct future for Israel and a literal thousand-year reign of Christ.

Dispensational premillennialism, which teaches that Christ will return to rapture the church before a period of tribulation followed by His millennial reign, remains divisive among Reformed theologians. Still, MacArthur’s bold stance earned him respect among evangelicals for his consistency and scriptural rigor.

Throughout his ministry, MacArthur was never afraid to speak his convictions—even when they proved controversial. His 2013 book “Strange Fire” directly challenged the modern charismatic movement, accusing it of misrepresenting the Holy Spirit and promoting unbiblical practices.

“Those who claim to be most focused on the Holy Spirit,” he wrote, “are in actuality the ones doing the most to abuse, grieve, insult, misrepresent, quench, and dishonor Him.”

MacArthur also stirred debate in 2019 when he commented on the role of women in ministry. When asked specifically about preacher Beth Moore, he bluntly said she should “Go home,” adding, “There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion.”

In 2021, Grace Community Church became a focal point in the debate over religious freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church refused to cease in-person worship despite California’s lockdown mandates. Ultimately, the church received an $800,000 settlement from the state and county, which had sought to restrict their gatherings. MacArthur and the church framed the case as a defense of religious liberty.

Still, his ministry was not without criticism. In recent years, Grace Community Church has faced public scrutiny and a pending lawsuit regarding alleged mishandling of abuse cases in both 2002 and 2025.

Beyond his own preaching, MacArthur dedicated himself to training pastors and building up the church. He launched The Master’s Seminary (originally The Master’s College) in 1986 and served as its president until 2019, when he became chancellor.

Thousands of pastors have also attended the annual Shepherd’s Conference, hosted at Grace Community Church. The event has featured leading evangelical speakers including R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Mark Dever, and Albert Mohler, further extending MacArthur’s reach and influence.

John MacArthur is survived by his wife, Patricia, their four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The couple had been married for 61 years.

Tributes have poured in from across the evangelical world. Clint Pressley, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, summed it up this way:

“What Adrian Rogers was to pulpit oratory, John MacArthur was to biblical exposition. The reach of his influence among pastors and preaching is incalculable, and we forever stand in his debt.”

As one of the most recognizable figures in modern evangelicalism, MacArthur’s voice may be silent now, but his sermons, writings, and convictions will continue to shape pulpits, classrooms, and hearts for generations to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit | Abetan Bisola

Image Credit | baptistpress.com