John MacArthur Called Greatest Expositor of His Time; Defender of Religious Liberty During Lockdowns
He was the greatest expositor of his time.
Many Christian leaders, including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler, didn’t mince words when it came to writing about Pastor John MacArthur, who passed away at age 86 on Monday (July 14).
A lion of the pulpit, now in Christ’s presence, reads the headline of Mohler’s piece for WORLD Opinion, of which he is the editor. The article’s subhead: The relentless expository passion of John F. MacArthur, Jr., 1939-2025.
In answering the question “What is expository preaching?” the writers at the Christian website GotQuestions.org, stated that “G. Campbell Morgan, pastor of London’s Westminster Chapel and known as ‘the prince of expositors,’ wrote that ‘The sermon is the text [Scripture] repeated more fully.’”
“Every word from the pulpit should amplify, elaborate on, or illustrate the text at hand, with a view towards clarity.”
The morning after MacArthur’s passing, evangelist and Samaritan’s Purse CEO Franklin Graham posted, “[John MacArthur] could get more out of a Bible verse than anyone I’ve ever known.”
One of America’s great Bible teachers, Pastor @JohnMacArthur, stepped into the presence of Almighty God Monday evening at the age of 86. He could get more out of a Bible verse than anyone I’ve ever known. His voice will be greatly missed. https://t.co/qoqv5tCOac
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) July 15, 2025
Los Angeles Times lead graph:
The Rev. John MacArthur, among the country’s most influential evangelical pastors with a prolific media reach — and whose San Fernando Valley megachurch became the face of religious resistance to California’s COVID-19 public health orders — died Monday. He was 86.
Admiration for MacArthur comes not only for his “faithful exposition of Holy Scripture” but his leaning on the Word for the defense of truth in the midst of today’s challenges.
He and Grace Community Church made national headlines when he and his church refused to comply with government’s COVID-19 orders and restrictions. The church continued to hold services despite a ban on such gatherings, while also “refusing to enforce mask-wearing and physical-distancing requirements for churchgoers,” most media reported.
Daily Wire reporter, Megan Basham, posted on X about one of her interviews with MacArthur in which she asked him “if it was personally hurtful to him how many of his friends drew away from him during the battles over social justice and to keep the church open during Covid.”
“He told me it did a bit, but he said his bigger concern was that they were drawing away from the truth of scripture,” Basham stated. “And if that doesn’t encapsulate who that man was, I don’t know what does.”
One time during an interview, I asked John MacArthur if it was personally hurtful to him how many of his friends drew away from him during the battles over social justice and to keep the church open during Covid. He told me it did a bit, but he said his bigger concern was that…
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) July 15, 2025
In her Daily Wire story, The Great Lion Enters Into Rest, Basham writes, “Whether in debates on The Larry King Show or preaching from his pulpit, he never watered down the truth of Scripture to appeal to a general audience. His adherence to sound doctrine never wavered, and he never showed an ounce of reticence to preach the Word, clearly and plainly. Even in the bright glare of the secular media, he never equivocated on issues that are biblically true, but culturally unpopular.”
Reporter Leif Le Mahieu writes in her piece for the Daily Wire that described MacArthur in its headline as “Defender of Religious Liberty During COVID Lockdowns“:
After initially complying with COVID restrictions imposed by Los Angeles County and California, MacArthur and Grace Community reopened in defiance of local rules. That prompted a legal battle, which ended with the county and state each paying the church $400,000 after the Supreme Court ruled that California was targeting churches.
“We know that there is no circumstance that can cause the church to close,” MacArthur said in a letter at the time. “The church is not only a building but is the bride of Christ and exists to proclaim the truth.”
More Tributes
American Family Association: “Few men have so shaped the modern church as John MacArthur. His legacy is not one of fame, but of faithfulness – to Scripture, to sound doctrine, and to the glory of Christ. We grieve losing him, but give thanks for a life well spent.”
Jack Graham: “Well done, good and faithful servant. John MacArthur inspired millions with his clear proclamation of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On a personal level, I found him to be warm and winsome and Christlike in every way.”
Dr. David Jeremiah: “My friend and fellow pastor John MacArthur, who dedicated his life to biblical exposition, is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior. … He lived a life of unwavering devotion to Christ, and his years of service in the ministry will undoubtedly leave a legacy. While we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague in the faith, we stand on God’s promise that ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,’ and we rejoice in this knowledge, praying it brings comfort to his family, friends, and congregation.”
Greg Laurie: “I had the privilege of knowing John personally, and I can tell you—he was a true man of God. He spoke at our church several times over the years, and it was always a joy to spend time with him. John leaves behind a powerful legacy: his beloved family, his faithful congregation, his far-reaching media ministry, and of course, his epic library of biblical commentaries that will continue to impact generations.”
Tony Perkins: “I am grateful for John MacArthur’s ministry; he finished the race strong. My prayers go out to his family and church.”
Joni Erickson Tada: “John spent most of his years studying, proclaiming, and fiercely defending the Word of God… And I’m just one of millions who benefited from his work in the Kingdom. … Ken and I will miss our friend. … John also married Ken and me in 1982 on a sunny July morning at Grace – what an honor to hear him happily announce, ‘I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Tada!’”
*Tributes list source: NRB – An Association of Christian Communicators
Featured Photo: Grace to You
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Alex Murashko is a Christ follower, husband, journalist and writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus. Murashko is also founder of Media on Mission.
Connect on X: @AlexMurashko.
