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Help Me Interview John MacArthur
- 01/21/11
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In a week or so I am going to have an opportunity to interview John MacArthur. This isn’t something that comes along every day! I thought it would be interesting to have an open mic, so to speak, allowing those of you who read this site to suggest questions I may like to ask him.
So here is your chance to ask Dr. MacArthur anything at all (anything at all within reason, of course). Let’s try to focus the questions on MacArthur, his books, his ministry and perhaps some contemporary events. Which is to say, I don’t see this as an opportunity to ask him the general theological questions that have been bothering you. Let’s talk about him, his years of ministry, the books he has written, and maybe especially his most recent book.
So go ahead and leave a comment with your question. To make things just a bit more interesting, I’ll try to find some copies of Slave, that most recent book I just mentioned, for some of you whose questions end up being chosen.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
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This review of the bestselling
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Comments (181)
How should be the churche response to divorce in the membership? Is this just a private matter and how should we solicit for information about who is right and who is wrong?
Ask him specifics on the Darrin Patrick statement. No one can seem to find anything to substantiate his claim.
Yeah what Jonathan said above! Ask why he always seems to attack guys, even within his ‘camp’.
Ask him: What is the page and chapter in Darrin Patrick’s book “Church Planter” where Patrick says “Develop your own theology” that he publicly criticized Patrick about.
Question for Dr MacArthur :Some times ago, you accepted the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Jesus, and it was bold from you to explain your change of mind . And more recently you said tough things about amillenarism …Is there any possible change of your perspective about this ?Many blessings in Jesus-Christ our great God and Savior,dan (France)
I agree. I want to know the details behind his comment about Darrin Patrick. Doesn’t make sense to me and as I can see, to many others as well.
Here’s one I’d like to know: Did your study bible notes come out of writing your commentaries, or did your commentaries come out of writing your study bible notes? Do you plan to write any OT commentaries?
Thanks for the opportunity, Tim.
What are his retirement plans? Is it approaching soon and how does he plan to shepherd his church through that transition?
Where do you see Grace To You going after your departure?
Agreed about the Patrick comment. For that matter, why take so much time to cause pointless controversy within the faith? His tone seems to rarely be one of genuine concern with any desire for restoration, coaching, etc. His fighting for the truth gets lost in his fighting.
You could ask him why modern-day Christians think Pastor/teachers don’t have a right to critique other leaders for their beliefs (like Patrick). In other words, why does the modern Christian think we just need to all get along, and debates/critiques are bad?
On a more serious note, I would really like to know “what new insights does Slave bring to the Lordship debate?” Also, “what has changed in this debate since he first published The Gospel According to Jesus over 20 years ago?”
After he is done preaching through the Gospel of Mark, he will have preached, verse-by-verse, through every NT book over his 40+ years of ministry at Grace Community Church.
1. Congratulations on that amazing accomplishment (I’m not sure we know of too many in church history that have done that).
2. What’s next, Lord willing?
Do you and your wife have date nights? If so, can you tell us about some of the things you like to do together.
I don’t know if that’s a good question or not. Maybe it’s dumb. You decide Tim!
This is an interview….not a confrontation.
Oooo One more……WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO COME PREACH IN TORONTO!!!!! ;-)
I’ve heard from folks that attended Masters Seminary and worked at Grace that if John could rewrite one of his commentaries, it would be the commentary on Hebrews. Is this true? How have his views changed, if at all?
Two questions:
1. We once had a Masters Seminary graduate do a placement in our church in the UK. Whenever he preached from the OT, particularly post David prophesy or narrative, he would always state that the text could only be read by us as narrative and did not seek direct application of teaching to our Christian lives today.
How do you counter the argument that dispensational theology restricts application of OT texts to todays readers, if you would counter that argument at all?
2. How would you counsel a pastor who, after running a recent Christianity Explored course is contacted by two women who went on the course who say they wish to become Christians. However, they reveal that they are in a civil partnership and have two young adopted children (this is legal in the UK).
As having served in such a role for a very long time, what advice would you give to would-be teachers?
What leadership mistakes have you made? And, how would you counsel a man to grow in his leadership?
What do you most want to be know for?
How have you handled times of discouragement/disinterest, yet still write and preach so consistently and at such a high level?
Ask him why missionals get their panties in a bunch so easily.
Considering the many theological and biblical issues you’ve addressed through preaching and writing, what are the ones with which you still wrestle the most (intellectually, practically, culturally, etc.)?
“Looking back on those many years of ministry, what has been the greatest challenge you had to face, and how do you see God used it in your ministry?”(you can rephrase that if needed, english is not my first language)
How do you find time in a busy pastoral schedule to write as prolifically as you do? Is it generally just an application of the deacon principle where you task others within the church to the direct physical ministry to focus on prayer and the Word? And what does that look like in a typical day at your church?
I would like a serious question not about the Patrick statement but about if/how we should confront people that we do not know personally over theological differences. Obviously Matt 18 does not work if we don’t know people. So of Matt 18 isn’t the guiding principal what is?
You are obviously a busy man. What practical advice would you give to pastors on loving their wives and children amidst the many demands of the pastoral ministry.
Ask him if he has read Darrin Patrick’s book.
Then ask him to explain from the whole of the book how he could ever come to the conclusion that he did on his recent interview with Phil Johnson concerning “developing one’s own theology”.
I think J-Mac has obviously done some GREAT things for the kingdom. I have benefited from his teaching. But this one is a big deal when you publicly slander another brother and completely misrepresent him to thousands of people. That is a really big deal. He repeatedly asked for Mark Driscoll’s public confession in light of all the Song of Solomon stuff in the past. I pray that J-Mac will do the same here. It would be a really stirring example for all of us to see and emulate.
For John: Looking back over the seasons of your ministry, what words of practical encouragement would you offer to pastors in small churches, especially those who are bi-vocational? Also, what advice would you give as far as setting priorities regarding family, ministry, and work life?
For Tim: Please thank John for all the books, sermons, and resources that GTY sends out for free! What a blessing these have been in my life and ministry.
~Phillip Way
Ask him what handful of books (whether ministry or otherwise) have made the most impact in his Christian life.
Will your study Bible come out in a version that properly translates doulos (like the HCSB)?
Who is your favorite dead author? Living author?
Can you ask Pastor MacArthur:
What is your view on the notion that almost everything worldly (smoking, drinking, tattoos, rap, etc.) can be redeemed for God?
If I had the opportunity to read just one book by John McArthur, what book would John McArthur choose for a total stranger like me to read?
Thanks,
SteveMaryville, TN
I hope there is no penalty for multiple questions!
What are three things that every Christian man should desire to leave as his legacy on earth?
What are the best encouragements that you have received from your parishioners, students, and fellow ministers?
If you could go back and give yourself advice as an elder Christian addressing a younger brother, what would it be?
What has been your most important book, and why?
What are the two or three most important “theological crises” that you see in the North American Church at present?
What are the two or three most important Christian virtues and/or practices that are missing from or dwindling in the North American Church?
Where do you draw the line on ecumenicism between the various opportunities for collaboration amongst the different Christian traditions and denominations?
I’d ask him how comfortable he is with the promotional material for his new book “Slave” (see this video clip example: http://bit.ly/hVF393). It sounds like a promotion for Dan Brown or Bart Ehrman. Is that just what it takes to sell books or does Dr. MacArthur really believe, as he says in the clip, that “there has been a conspiracy to cover-up” this truth?
There are many studies that show that emerging adults, approximately 18-25 yrs. old, are some of the most spiritually seeking people, and yet that is also the age at which many people leave their religious tradition. How do you think churches ought to act, both preventatively and in response to the exodus from churches?
What are Dr. MacArthur’s thoughts on the Lausanne Congress?
What is the biggest challenge that evangelicalism faces from within it and also from outside it; and how do we biblically deal with these challenges?
Is there anything in Charismatic Chaos that you regret having written? What portion of any of your books do you most regret having written (or do you wish that you had stated differently)?
Ask him about the tranisiton of a man who has been in the pulpit for over 40 years and how him and the elders at Grace will chose a successor. Not who it is but the process of shepherding a congregation in this process.
In light of the truth that pastors too are in the process of being sanctified, and therefore fail from time to time, how has he dealt with his own failures in ministry? How does he handle his own problems and where is the appropriate balance between being emotionally/spiritually transparent and vulnerable before one’s own congregation, and handling one’s own spiritual challenges more discretely within a group of close brothers.
While many churches today are experiencing new vitality and growth through the faithful exposition of the gospel, what would you say to all the pastor’s who are seeking to remain faithful shepherds of the gospel to declining flocks that are primarily filled with precious elderly souls?
What prompted GTY to open the “vault” and offer all of your sermons for free download? What has been the response to this that you have seen?
Ask him if he thinks that preaching “what the Ancient Greek/Hebrew really means is…” might erode the church’s faith that they can understand the scriptures.
Ask him why he refuses to meet in person with Mark Driscoll about his very public criticisms of him
If the initial act of salvation by the Holy Spirit is coercive, which then necessarily produces a response of faith, then does sanctification occur in the same way? If not, why?
You hang out with reformed people and claim to be one of them but you hang on to your dispensationalism / rapture theology.How do you reconcile this?
i have always wondered if you actually write your own books or if someone else writes the books for you using your sermon notes…and if so is it ethical to advertise a book written by so and so if he actually didnt write it—
How does a minister in a prominent position manage to stay free from scandal and ruin in a culture of selfism and selfishness? What protections do you have in place that might help other ministers?
If I were to read only one book that you have ever written, which one should it be? :)
How does a Pastor that is so successful maintain his humility?
Also as we grow in Christ we all have changes in our understanding Of God and correct doctrine , how difficult is it for a pastor to say that to his church..”I taught you something wrong.. ” It must be very difficult !
I’d like to cast a vote for Zach Nielsen’s question.
I believe MacArthur is going to leave two legacies: one of intensely adhering to God’s word in his preaching and one of divisiveness toward gospel-centered pastors who carry out their ministry different than him. And even later into his ministry, he seems not to be backing down from the latter.