John MacArthur, longtime pastor of Grace Community Church and author of the MacArthur Study Bible, died at 86. He leaves a legacy of bold theology, widespread influence, and significant debate.

By Brittany Peterson, Morgan Washington // EEW Magazine Online

John MacArthur, a towering figure in American evangelicalism known for his verse-by-verse Bible teaching, theological conservatism, and prolific authorship, died Monday, July 14, 2025, at a hospital in Santa Clarita, California. He was 86.

According to Grace Community Church, where he pastored for more than five decades, the cause was complications from pneumonia, which he contracted unexpectedly the prior week. His longtime ministry associate and editor, Phil Johnson, confirmed the news on behalf of the church’s media arm, Grace to You.

Born John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. on June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles, he came from a lineage of preachers. His father, Dr. Jack MacArthur, was a Baptist radio evangelist, and his grandfather served as an Anglican minister in Canada. MacArthur studied at Bob Jones University, later transferring to Los Angeles Pacific College, and earned his Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary in 1963.

In 1969, he became the senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif., where he remained until his death. Under his leadership, the once-small congregation grew into a megachurch that drew thousands weekly and became known nationwide for its unflinching adherence to expositional preaching.

MacArthur's influence extended far beyond the pulpit. He launched the Grace to You broadcast ministry in 1977, which brought his teachings into millions of homes globally. He authored or edited more than 150 books, including The Gospel According to Jesus and the widely used MacArthur Study Bible, which sold over a million copies.

He also helped shape Christian education, serving as president and later chancellor emeritus of The Master’s University and Seminary, institutions designed to train future leaders in a Reformed, evangelical tradition.

A Theological Lightning Rod

MacArthur was a staunch cessationist, teaching that miraculous gifts like tongues and prophecy ceased with the early church. This position culminated in his controversial 2013 “Strange Fire” conference, which denounced charismatic theology and provoked widespread debate.

His views on gender roles, social justice, and end-times theology also stirred controversy. He was a complementarian, opposing the ordination of women, and a dispensational premillennialist, advocating for a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy.

While many respected his clarity, others criticized his rigidity.

MacArthur was a vocal opponent of social justice movements, particularly during a time of national reckoning over systemic racism. He rejected terms like “woke theology,” insisted that the gospel alone—not public policy or activism—could resolve racial tension, and downplayed the need for institutional reform.

These positions created significant rifts, especially with many in the Black Christian community. His critiques of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with controversial teachings on slavery and the “curse of Ham,” drew sharp rebukes from Black pastors and theologians, who viewed his theology as dismissive of historical and ongoing racial injustice.

Critics said he overlooked the biblical call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).

Legal Battles and Later Years

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MacArthur made national headlines when Grace Community Church defied state public health mandates by continuing indoor services. He argued the state had overstepped its authority in regulating worship, igniting a legal battle that ultimately ended in a $800,000 settlement awarded to the church.

Despite heart-related health issues, including atrial fibrillation and a procedure in 2022, MacArthur continued preaching until shortly before his final illness.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia, four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

A Lasting Legacy

Tributes poured in from evangelical leaders praising his unwavering commitment to Scripture. Christianity Today once named him among the most influential preachers of his generation, and his teachings remain foundational in seminaries, churches, and home studies around the world.

Yet even in death, MacArthur’s legacy is complex—revered by many for his theological conviction and clarity, while also prompting critical reflection on the intersection of doctrine, justice, and culture.

“He explained the Bible to millions,” one colleague noted, “and called the church back to what he believed was biblical fidelity—whether it was popular or not.”

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