John F. MacArthur

John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (June 19, 1939 – July 14, 2025) was an American Protestant pastor, author, educator, and broadcaster renowned for his verse-by-verse expository preaching of the Bible and commitment to its inerrancy. He served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, for over five decades from 1969 until his death, growing it into a congregation of thousands through systematic biblical teaching.

MacArthur's ministry emphasized Reformed theology, cessationism, and lordship salvation, challenging what he viewed as diluted evangelicalism and promoting doctrinal precision over experientialism. Over four decades, he preached sequentially through the entire New Testament, producing a comprehensive commentary series that has shaped pastors and scholars worldwide. He authored or contributed to nearly 400 books, including the bestselling MacArthur Study Bible , translated into multiple languages and used for in-depth scriptural study.

As president of The Master's University since 1985 and founder of The Master's Seminary in 1986, MacArthur prioritized training leaders in expository preaching and biblical fidelity, resisting trends toward pragmatism in seminary education. His radio program Grace to You , launched in 1969 with the mission of "unleashing God's truth, one verse at a time"—a direct reflection of his commitment to expository preaching—broadcast his sermons over 1,000 times daily across English and Spanish, extending his influence globally and defending core Christian doctrines against cultural accommodation. While admired for doctrinal steadfastness, MacArthur faced criticism for positions on church discipline, gender roles, and pandemic policies, reflecting his prioritization of scriptural authority over societal pressures.

John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. was born on June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, at St. Vincent's Hospital, to Jack MacArthur, a Baptist pastor, evangelist, and radio preacher, and Irene Dockendorf MacArthur. His family maintained a fifth-generation tradition of evangelical preaching, tracing roots through Scotland, Canada, and the United States, with both his father and paternal grandfather actively serving in pastoral roles. The family resided primarily in Southern California, including periods when his father pastored in the Manchester area (now part of Watts), though they briefly lived in Philadelphia and Chicago due to his father's ministry travels.

MacArthur's early childhood reflected a stable, devout Christian environment modeled by his parents' consistent faith and service. He recalled incidents of youthful curiosity, such as attempting to warm his sister by setting pillows on fire around age five or six and impersonating a traffic cop at seven or eight. A health challenge arose during the Chicago stint when he contracted rheumatic fever, resulting in a persistent heart murmur that later resolved. Around age nine or ten, following an episode of vandalism that prompted self-reflection on sin, MacArthur sensed his need for Christ and prayed with his father, marking an early awareness of personal salvation, though he later reflected on the precise moment of conversion remaining indistinct. He grew up alongside three sisters in this ministry-oriented household, with regular exposure to preaching through his father's work on the "Voice of Calvary" radio broadcasts.

The primary influences on MacArthur's formative years stemmed from his immediate family, particularly his father and grandfather, who exemplified expository preaching and evangelistic commitment. His grandfather, Harry MacArthur (1890–1950), converted in his twenties, pastored for decades, and preached until his death from cancer in his fifties, instilling a legacy of perseverance in ministry.