John MacArthur, Grace Pastor Known for Unwavering Biblical Convictions, Dies at 86
His death was confirmed Monday evening by his teaching ministry, Grace to You, just days after he was hospitalized with pneumonia.
'Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run,' Grace to You posted on X.
MacArthur is survived by Patricia, his wife of more than 60 years, along with four married children — Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda — and 15 grandchildren.
'It is already strange to live in a world without MacArthur's steady convictional presence,' wrote theologian Owen Strachan. 'Pray for his family, his church, and the many who mourn him. Rest in peace, lion of faith.'
John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. was born June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles. A distant relative of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, he graduated from Azusa Pacific University and earned his Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary.
In 1969, shortly after graduating, MacArthur became pastor-teacher at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. His verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture became the signature of his ministry. Under his leadership, the church's two Sunday morning services routinely filled the 3,500-seat sanctuary, and thousands participated in training and fellowship programs.
MacArthur founded The Master's Seminary in 1986 to train men for pastoral ministry. He also served as president of The Master's University, a four-year Christian liberal arts school, beginning in 1985.
He was best known to millions through his Grace to You media ministry, which he led as president and featured teacher. His sermons aired more than 1,000 times daily in English and Spanish, and all 3,000+ are freely available online.
MacArthur authored nearly 400 books and study guides, including The Gospel According to Jesus, Strange Fire, Slave, and the MacArthur New Testament Commentary series. His MacArthur Study Bible, translated into over two dozen languages, remains a cornerstone of his ministry.
Throughout his ministry, MacArthur remained known for his unapologetic commitment to Scripture — often taking stands that drew both praise and criticism.
In 2013, he hosted the 'Strange Fire' conference and published a book by the same name: Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Both sharply critiqued aspects of the Charismatic movement, urging Christians to pursue doctrinal clarity and avoid what he described as counterfeit spiritual practices.
The response was mixed. Some praised the boldness of his warnings, while others, including Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, criticized MacArthur's approach as divisive and overly broad
In 2019, MacArthur famously challenged the idea of women in pastoral roles, emphasizing what he saw as the clear teaching of Scripture. His position drew strong responses from both supporters and critics, but he never wavered in his convictions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MacArthur took a stand for religious liberty by reopening Grace Community Church in defiance of California's worship restrictions.
'Never before has the government invaded the territory that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and told us we can't meet,' he told Fox News in 2020.
MacArthur and the church ultimately prevailed in court, with California agreeing to an $800,000 settlement to resolve the case.
MacArthur's health declined in recent years, including several hospitalizations and surgeries beginning in 2023. He briefly returned to the pulpit in late 2024 and shared a message of gratitude.
'God has purposes that we would've never been able to fulfill if we weren't put into some kind of stress,' he told his congregation at Thanksgiving.
In one of his final public appearances, he addressed the 2025 Shepherds Conference by video.
'I realize I'm on the last lap,' he said. 'That takes on a new meaning when you know you're on the short end of the candle. I am all thanks and praise to God for everything He's allowed me to be a part of and everything He's accomplished by His Word in these years of ministry.'
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