The purpose of this Blog is to introduce men and women all over the World to the Doctrines of Grace; the 5 Solas; Reformation Theology and the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

John MacArthur - A Review by Jeffrey Riddle

The fact that the staunchly Reformed publisher Banner of Truth has released a biography of dispensational pastor John MacArthur is testimony to the fact that MacArthur is one of the most influential evangelical ministers of our times. This book1 began in 2009 as a biographical portrait commissioned from Iain Murray by the elders of Grace Community Church to mark MacArthur's fortieth anniversary of ministry in that congregation. Murray has expanded that profile but concludes by noting that this is 'little more than a sketch; this is not the time, nor I the writer to give a full portrait' (229).

What do we learn about the life of John MacArthur? Murray begins by describing MacArthur's early years growing up in a minister's home in Southern California. As a young man he attended Bob Jones University and preached his first feeble sermon in a Spartanburg, South Carolina bus station. Uncomfortable with Bob Jones, MacArthur eventually transferred to Pacific College and then on to Talbot Seminary, where he came under the influence of Charles L. Feinberg. This transition reflected MacArthur's discomfort with the 'war psychology' of classical fundamentalism and his move toward more mainstream evangelicalism.
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