* Editor’s Note — The Gospel Reformation Network is grateful for the life and legacy of John MacArthur (1939-2035). The following are tributes from members of the GRN Executive Council.
TRIBUTES FROM THE GRN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Jon Payne
As a brand new Christian at Clemson University, John MacArthur’s sermons and writings were an enormous encouragement to me. I remember listening to his messages from Grace Community Church on cassette tapes, and meeting with friends to read and discuss The Gospel According to Jesus and Charismatic Chaos. I led a large weekly Bible study on campus in the amphitheater, drawing upon MacArther’s commentary on Matthew as a key resource. I didn’t know much, but I could discern that he was different than most other pastors. Indeed, he was no nonsense, and earnestly committed to preaching the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible!
MacArthur taught me to cherish expository preaching and to defend sound doctrine at all costs. Whether in the pulpit or on Larry King Live, Johnny Mac spoke the truth with heartfelt love and deep conviction. His love for Christ and His Word was contagious. He will be greatly missed.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15
Ligon Duncan
Just a few months ago, knowing that he was nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage, I wrote to John, just to remind him of my love and appreciation for him, and to thank him for his faithful life and ministry, as well as his gracious kindness to and fellowship with me over the years. I just didn’t want to let the opportunity pass to encourage him and to express my gratitude to and for him. I will always treasure his reply.
It was Eric Alexander who introduced me to John, all those years ago, and my brother John got to know him (when he was working on the books and recordings of hymns with John and Joni Eareckson Tada) before I did. What a treasure it was to know John. Especially during the Together for the Gospel years, our paths crossed frequently, and it was a joy to minister the Word at conferences with him, and to enjoy his company.
It is hard to know how to mark the passing of a giant like John. Like my brothers in Together for the Gospel, I can attest to his genuine graciousness in all of our personal interactions. Yes, John was a lion in the pulpit, but he was also one of the most congenial and kind Christian gentlemen I’ve ever known. As I have traveled the world in these last years, everywhere I go I meet people who have embraced the sovereignty of God, the particularity of grace, and the authority of the Word through John’s ministry. John preached Christ. And the Lord blessed his ministry in bringing many lost sheep home, and feeding and guarding those found sheep with God’s Word.
Now, a faithful shepherd in Israel has been called home by the Chief Shepherd. Our loss. John’s gain. I love you, John. And I miss you.
Until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.
Richard Phillips
The church has lost a giant with the death of John MacArthur and his entry by grace into God’s presence. I not only admired and benefited from his preaching ministry but treasure my one and only meeting with John. Waiting in the speakers room at a Ligonier Conference, I discovered what a cheerful, kind, and generous man he was. I don’t think he knew who I was but he gave me the whole of his attention. Discussing ministry together, it was clear to me that here was a man committed to two life-changing messages: the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is the Savior of sinners. We have suffered a great loss, except that our Lord’s will is always for our good. So we praise God today for the life and the death of our father in the faith, John MacArthur.
David Strain
A prince in Israel is fallen. So much is owed by the church to JMcA as a stalwart voice of Calvinism and expository preaching. We had deep differences with him, yet we praise God for his faithfulness. A whole generation of leaders of the conservative evangelical scene are passing away. We need to pray for the next generation of leaders to steward the movement well.
Melton L. Duncan
History will remember him as the “Matthew Henry” of the modern age, who (perhaps) more than any other Protestant Scholar encouraged the simple reading, teaching and common understanding of scripture as sufficient for the spiritual growth of mankind. It’s also interesting to remember the personal relationships between Boice, Sproul, MacArthur that knit together the first modern alliance of confessing Evangelicals and the Reformed world. These men largely drove this golden age of Calvinism and “Big God theology,” and along with JI Packer, Tim Keller and John Piper, the conservative resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention and the growth of the Presbyterian Church in America and NAPARC were used by God in extraordinary ways to save souls and cultivate the thought life of the evangelical mind.
David Garner
As a young and growing Christian in my teens, I found John MacArthur’s exposition of Scripture a legitimate lifeline. His exposition of the text not only trained me to understand the Word of God, but with at least equal force drew me to love the Word of God. His confidence in Scripture ignited my own. I’m indebted to him for his discipleship at a distance, as my access to his sermons was primarily cassette tapes. I am truly indebted to this leader of leaders: his compelling conviction, his clarity of exposition, and his all/consuming confidence that God has indeed spoken.
Jason Helopoulos
John MacArthur was a stalwart for gospel truth and a faithful local church pastor. His commitment to the Scriptures, preaching, and the cause of Christ has influenced more than we can possibly know this side of heaven. I’ve often found myself talking to individuals new to the Reformed Faith and will inquire how they discovered the biblical doctrines of grace. More often than not, either Sproul, Piper, or MacArthur is the answer in return. I’m so very thankful for Dr. MacArthur—a life well-lived to the glory and praise of Christ.
Jonathan Master
Like so many others, I derived tremendous benefit from the life and ministry of Dr. John MacArthur. There are certainly sermons that affected me profoundly; but, perhaps more than any one sermon, there was the pattern of his teaching — bold, clear, verse-by-verse — never shying away from the implications of the text, however countercultural.
I also came to admire the men who sat under his ministry and were trained by him throughout the world. They too were men of the Book. As a rule, they exhibited complete confidence in the sufficiency of God’s Word. They preached, Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day, with the confidence in the scriptures that Dr. MacArthur modeled for them.
He also finished well. This is no small thing. So many men start strong and waver. Their confidence in God’s Word falters; their attention drifts; they fall into grave sin. He did not. By God’s grace, he held the line and finished the race. He was firm to the end, and now he has received His reward from the Savior he loved and served.
