The Story of How John MacArthur Became the World's Premier Expository Preacher. Listen at:
How did John MacArthur’s ministry become synonymous with expository preaching? And what does an expository preaching ministry look like? To answer that question, The MacArthur Center Podcast went back to John’s childhood in a pastor’s home and to the year 1969 when he became the teaching pastor at Grace Community Church. It told the remarkable, providential story of how Grace Church grew, how suffering has shaped John’s ministry, how he’s responded to threats to his church, and how he’s entrusted the gospel to the next generation of preachers. In these personal, profound stories, there are lessons for all pastors, and believers, who believe in the transforming power of an expositional ministry.
Where did John MacArthur come from? What theological heritage shaped him? Was it a denomination, a movement, a school, or a man? Those questions kick off season two of The MacArthur Center podcast. This episode looks specifically at John's father, and the MacArthur's tenuous relationship with the fundamentalist movement. It also dives into the history of that movement, and John's time at Bob Jones University, where this southern California kid accumulated a few demerits at one of the flagship institutions of American fundamentalism. To hear Charles Feinberg's preaching: https://digitalcommons.biola.edu/biola-radio-feinberg/ For books from Charles Feinberg: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Charles-L-Feinberg/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ACharles+L.+Feinberg
Christians need mentors who have run the race before them. The lives of these leaders influence, challenge and motivate us. John MacArthur is considered a mentor and model by countless Christians and pastors around the world. But who does MacArthur look up to? Who has served as his teacher and friend? In this episode, we look at a man who has influenced MacArthur throughout his ministry: a Welch medical doctor turned preacher who became a kindred spirit. This relationship shows all of us the value ofremembering those who taught you and consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Famous Christian Dead Guys make great friends. Saints from the past keep Christians in the present from becoming spiritual shipwrecks in the future."
Few American pastors are more respected, or more influential, in the Russian speaking world than John MacArthur. His ministry has spread throughout Ukraine and Russia since before the Iron Curtain fell in 1991. During the current war, his ministry continues to have a profound, personal impact through missionary friends, training centers, and ministry partners both in the States and across the former Soviet Union. As this timely episode focuses on John and Grace Community Church’s missions endeavors in Ukraine and Russia, it looks at what effective, soul-saving, church-building missions looks like in any country.
In 2009, Time Magazine said Calvinism—or New Calvinism—was one of 10 ideas shaping the world. How did a theological system focused on the majesty and sovereignty of God become a world-changing movement? John MacArthur is part of the answer to that question. This episode explores how John became a Calvinist, how he pulled a generation of young people into the doctrines of grace, and why he eventually criticized the movement he had influenced.
Throughout his ministry, John MacArthur has consistently criticized and condemned the Catholic church and the Pope who leads it. That’s in stark contrast to many evangelicals today who downplay the historical differences between Catholics and Protestants. To explain why John draws a clear line in this debate, this episode visits a slum in Calcutta, India, a small town in 16th century Germany, and a hotel conference room in Florida. Tune in for this journey around the world that looks at the differences between the biblical gospel of salvation in Christ alone and a message that has deceived countless people.
