John MacArthur released a long and detailed statement on the pandemic. Once again as I sit here typing....my eyes can rise from the computer and I often see something pertaining to what I'm typing about. This time it is a book on a shelf across the room....John MacArthur's 1993....Ashamed Of The Gospel....When The Church Becomes Like The World. This book meant enough to me back then that I have the title in the 'My Favorite Books" section of my profile....and it is in this room with only about thirty other books. I've posted here a few years ago a strong recommendation on one of his more recent books....Christ's Call To Reform The Church....Timeless Demands From The Lord To His People. I have probably 100 or so cassette tapes in the basement by John MacArthur....two of his references bibles....and assorted other books of his.....including a signed copy from when he was here at a church conference in Pittsburgh....but ‘at times’ it seems today I hardly recognize this man's ministry.
This long statement on the pandemic is right out of the archives of talk radio....with some legitimate facts....and a lot of distorted facts.....and a very specialized argument meant to weave a narrative that supports Pastor MacArthur's famous statement back when....which I saw with my own eyes.....and apparently it is no longer on his website.....where he glibly says....."There is no pandemic." John MacArthur had one of two choices.....either humbly admit that he was wrong once.....or twist it so that it appears that he wasn't really wrong. He chose the second.
Three things stick out to me personally on MacArthur's writings and teachings....he has always been very precise on what salvation is and what it is not.....and he has no use for false prophets....and he has little use for the modern churches of today.....yet....he has here in the last few years....not only missed a false prophet in Donald Trump.....even recommending him....but he defined part of what a Christian is....this just prior to the 2020 election....as one who would support Donald Trump in the election. Quite frankly I didn't think all that much of this error of his at the time because the President of the United States had just called him up on the phone.....probably surprising him....and MacArthur just blew it....as we all do at times.
As to the long and detailed statement on the pandemic.....just go to Pastor MacArthur's church website....Grace Community Church....and it is right there. I recommend you read it. It will reinforce the mistaken narrative in the vast majority of readers....(there's nothing short of God's intervention going to change these folk's minds anyway).....but to the few who see through the statement....it will strengthen their resolve in being vigilant today on what can happen to even the best of God's shepherds. In fact...if there are those readers out there who may be evangelicals but not born again....but who are honestly mistaken....and they go to gty.org....hoping only to buttress their arguments that Covid is no big deal....they may indeed do this....but they may also not get out without also experiencing mortification and salvation!
The church's statement begins with a short history and facts on Covid. I experienced the exact same news cycle that John MacArthur had.....yet we do not see these things the same way. Not only that but at the time I had watched people form the opinions that he has.....and could see why and how they made their mistakes....and most of it was politics.....politics and pride.
The statement then moves on with proclamations such as.....The church must stand firm on truth....but where was John MacArthur and his pastoral staff when Donald Trump for four straight year purposely obliterated the very definition of....truth?
Another subtitle was....Joy, not fear, should dominate the fellowship of believers. Fear of the pandemic is not the issue. They put words into our mouths....it is more fear of falling for delusion...."For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect"....which is exactly what happened in the past four years.
Another subtitle was on preserving the "unity of the Spirit." John MacArthur.....more than anyone out there.....and for sound biblical reasons.....and this for multiple decades....had been the most divisive author out there....because....he simply would not compromise truths of the Bible.....but here....it is not truth over unity....but unity over truth....the very concept that he for decades fought against.
Lastly.....A company of believers is not a "church" if they do not gather. John MacArthur has also been very clear over the many years on this....it's not the building.....it is who is present in the building....but today it is not necessarily what is preached in the building....but how many people are there....and if they are there.
I have friends and acquaintances sick with Covid all around me....and many have died. There are more than ten times the deaths than in Vietnam....and now more than in 1918.....and we still cannot even show any compassion....for love has indeed gone cold....stone cold!
Judge for yourself whether this was....coincidence....or if God was warning us of something. In May of 2015....forty days before Donald Trump came down the escalator right smack dab into the middle of evangelicalism....instead of through the gate of the sheepfold....John MacArthur's radio ministry Grace To You....broadcast a message titled....Beware Of False Prophets. You can easily listen to this by Googling it.....along with YouTube....and see if you do not see Donald Trump in this message.
John MacArthur's ministry is at gty.org....and it is as wonderful as always.....most of the time....until he feels it necessary to go back to politics....and I hope for the day when he returns full time to the defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
