John F. MacArthur, Jr. (June 14 1939 - ) is a fifth-generation preacher who serves as a pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He is also a prolific author, conference speaker, and is president of The Master's College and Seminary. MacArthur received a B.A. from Los Angeles Pacific College, his M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary, Litt.D. at Grace Graduate School, and D.D. from Talbot Theological Seminary. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he regularly teaches Expository Preaching at the seminary and frequently speaks in chapel.
MacArthur's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in Australia, Canada, Europe, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly 2,000 English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, audiotapes, and CDs by John MacArthur. In thirty-six years of ministry, Grace to You has distributed more than thirteen million CDs and audiotapes.
MacArthur's theology is best described as evangelical, Calvinistic, and moderately dispensational. He is a strong proponent of expository preaching which he advocates in his Rediscovering Expository Preaching (1992). His book The Gospel According to Jesus (1988) caused controversy in the evangelical church by arguing for Lordship salvation, which maintains that good works are a necessary result and evidence of being justified before God -- in opposition to the "easy-believism" he saw becoming rampant in the church. His book Charismatic Chaos (1992) argued that the theology and practice of Charismatics and Pentecostals regarding the "gifts of the Spirit" (healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, etc.) are incorrect at best and blasphemous at worst.
MacArthur's writings are similarly critical of other modern Christian movements such as those who teach the controversial "prosperity gospel" and "seeker-friendly" leaders such as Robert Schuller, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren. He is also a strong advocate of the Biblical Counseling movement which stresses the Bible as a tool for counseling, rejecting the theories and techniques of modern psychologists in dealing with spiritual issues.
Though occasionally viewed by some groups as a controversial figure for strong critiques of Freudian psychology and trends in the modern charismatic movement as well as the self-esteem movement, MacArthur is seen by many as a champion of correcting many of the ills of evangelical Christianity. He is also a champion of helping believers grow stronger in their relationship with God through the committed study of the Word and personal commitment to the local church.
