We Need More Christians Like John MacArthur

John MacArthur wasn’t worried about being liked. He was committed to being faithful. And in a culture obsessed with influence, followers, and applause, that kind of faithfulness is exactly what we need more of.

When California Governor Gavin Newsom used Scripture to promote abortion in 2022—plastering verses across billboards to make California look like some kind of sanctuary for the unborn’s destruction—MacArthur didn’t stay quiet. He wrote an open letter to Gavin Newsom that pulled no punches. It was sharp, biblical, and bold. He didn’t just challenge the governor’s politics—he warned him plainly: “Your soul lies in grave, eternal peril.”

That’s the kind of boldness we’re missing today. Not just in the pulpit, but in everyday Christian life. And now that MacArthur is gone, I can’t help but feel the weight of that silence—and the responsibility that comes with it.

I Didn’t Always Agree with His Tone—but I Couldn’t Ignore His Conviction

I’ll be honest: there were moments when MacArthur’s delivery was sharper than I’d prefer. One such moment was at Grace Community Church’s 2019 Truth Matters Conference during a Q&A session. When moderator Todd Friel asked MacArthur to respond to the name “Beth Moore,” he shot back with a curt, “Go home,” followed by, “There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion.” The audience cheered—many felt it was dismissive and overly harsh for addressing a fellow Bible teacher.

At the time, I flinched. I respected his biblical convictions, but the tone felt dismissive. I wouldn’t have said it like that. And yet—I couldn’t ignore what came next.

Despite the harshness, John MacArthur was consistent. He genuinely believed Scripture prohibited a woman from preaching to a mixed congregation, and he owned his stance. He didn’t hedge. He didn’t worry about trending. What he did worry about was faithfulness to Scripture.

That unwavering commitment—to stand and speak, regardless of critics or cost—is exactly why, despite occasional discomfort with his tone, I deeply respect him. It reminded me that faithfulness to God’s Word isn’t always comfortable—and sometimes it’s downright hard.

He Didn’t Compromise—Even When It Was Hard

During COVID, while so many churches closed their doors, MacArthur kept his open. California came after him. They threatened legal action, tried to shut his church down, and pushed hard to silence him. But he didn’t flinch.

He made one thing clear: Christ, not Caesar, is the head of the church.

That stuck with me. Because we’re living in a time when it’s so tempting to just go along to get along. To keep your platform. To avoid conflict. But MacArthur reminded me—reminded all of us—that obedience to God will always come with a cost. And if your Christianity hasn’t cost you anything, it might be time to ask if you’re truly standing for anything at all.

He Didn’t Just Rebuke—He Cared About Souls

One thing I always respected about MacArthur was that his boldness wasn’t just about being loud. It was about calling people to repentance. In that letter to Newsom, he didn’t just say, “You’re wrong.” He said, “You need Christ.” He pointed to the cross. To the gospel. To the only hope any of us have.

That’s real love.
That’s biblical courage.
And that’s rare.

MacArthur’s Death Leaves a Gap—Will We Fill It?

On July 14, 2025, John MacArthur went home to be with the Lord at age 86. And with his passing, we didn’t just lose a teacher—we lost a watchman. A man who wasn’t afraid to sound the alarm. A man who feared God more than man.

And now, I believe the church is standing at a crossroads.

Will we rise up and carry that mantle? Or will we settle for easy sermons, soft convictions, and silent pulpits?

I don’t want to be part of a generation that admires men like MacArthur but refuses to live like them. I don’t want to praise boldness while hiding behind comfort. I want to stand on the same biblical truth he stood on—even if it costs me.

Will We Follow the Example of John MacArthur?

We don’t need more polished influencers.
We need more people who fear God.
We don’t need more content creators.
We need more conviction carriers.
We don’t need more silence from the church.
We need more truth spoken in love—even when it hurts.

The legacy of John MacArthur challenges me. It pushes me. And it reminds me that at the end of the day, we’re not called to be liked. We’re called to be faithful.

Now that he’s gone, the church must ask: Will we be faithful too?

We need more Christians like John MacArthur.

—Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid