Pastor John MacArthur, one of the most influential and controversial voices in modern Christian preaching, has died at the age of 86. Known worldwide for his verse-by-verse Bible teachings and unshakable stance on Scripture, MacArthur passed away peacefully on Monday, according to an official statement.
The announcement came from Grace to You, his long-standing media ministry: “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 Saviour. This evening, his faith became sight.”
For decades, MacArthur stood as a stalwart figure in evangelical Christianity. He has led Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969, transforming a small local fellowship into a global movement. His signature preaching style? Direct. Scripture-heavy. Timeless.
“The Bible explains the Bible,” he famously insisted. No gimmicks. No theatrics. Just Scripture—pure and unfiltered.
Earlier this year, whispers of MacArthur’s death spread across the internet. He had been hospitalised due to heart and lung complications. But in typical fashion, he met the speculation with a wry smile: “The rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I am very much alive, though I may be in the Lord’s presence soon.”
That moment, it seems, has now arrived. MacArthur’s dedication to the Bible was not just deep—it was fierce. He resisted shifting cultural norms and church trends, staying laser-focused on what he believed was timeless truth.
“It’s not about me,” he once remarked. “It transcends not only time, but culture.”
And so he preached—week in, week out—for over 50 years. From his pulpit in California to the airwaves of international radio, his message stayed consistent. No frills. Just Scripture.
His written works made a mark too. The MacArthur Study Bible, first published in 1997, sold more than 2 million copies. His New Testament commentary series? Over a million sold. Add to that a seminary, countless books, digital apps, and his voice still echoes through churches and households worldwide.
MacArthur’s boldness earned admiration—but also controversy.
He challenged charismatic churches, criticised the rise of popular evangelical fads, and opposed female pastors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he defied California’s lockdown orders and continued holding services, drawing both legal battles and praise from his followers.
He didn’t shy away from conflict, nor did he apologise for it. “I might have come in a little more like a lamb instead of a lion,” he once reflected. But most would agree—MacArthur was never one to pander or soften his words.
Even when facing criticism for defending church leaders embroiled in abuse scandals, he stood firm in his interpretations and principles.
Though MacArthur is gone, his work endures. His sermons remain available online through Grace to You. The MacArthur Study Bible continues to be translated into multiple languages. And his Daily Bible app? Downloaded by millions.
Survived by his wife, Patricia, four children—Matt, Mark, Marcy, and Melinda—15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, his legacy runs deep.
MacArthur wasn’t a trend. He was a force. One who reshaped how many Christians approach Scripture—and who refused to bend to the culture around him.
As the Christian world mourns, it also celebrates. A lion of the pulpit has gone home.
