Episode 4: MacArthur and the Calvinists

enJune 22, 2022

The MacArthur Center Podcast

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What was the main topic of the podcast episode?

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About this Episode

In 2009, Time Magazine said Calvinism—or New Calvinism—was one of 10 ideas shaping the world. How did a theological system focused on the majesty and sovereignty of God become a world-changing movement? John MacArthur is part of the answer to that question. This episode explores how John became a Calvinist, how he pulled a generation of young people into the doctrines of grace, and why he eventually criticized the movement he had influenced.

Recent Episodes from The MacArthur Center Podcast

Episode 6: Eschatology

SHOW NOTES

Crawford Gibben on the “Saints & Scholars Podcast” hosted by Andrew Curry https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saintsandscholars/episodes/What-will-we-do-with-John-Nelson-Darby-evco49/a-a5aqe4m

John MacArthur sermons referenced in this episode:

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enMarch 05, 2024

Episode 5: John MacArthur is My Youth Pastor

SHOW NOTES

Ezra Klein interview with Jean Twenge on teen depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tra4aUg6f8U
Dr. Twenge’s book, "iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood and What That Means for the Rest of Us”https://www.amazon.com/iGen-Super-Connected-Rebellious-Happy-Adulthood/dp/1501151983
Thomas Bergler, author of “The Juvenilization of American Christianity”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytIaAlFJaqU
Thomas Bergler's book, "The Juvenilization of American Christianityhttps://www.amazon.com/Juvenilization-American-Christianity-Thomas-Bergler/dp/0802866840
Austin T. Duncan’s Shepherds Conference session on the Family Integrated Movement, “Family Matters: Does the Bible Demand Family Integrated Ministry?”: https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/5981
Andreas Kostenberger’s, “God, Marriage, Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation (2nd Volume” chapter 13 has a valuable analysis of the Family Integrated Movement: https://www.amazon.com/God-Marriage-Family-Second-Rebuilding/dp/1433503646

John MacArthur sermons referenced in this episode:

https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/80-13/the-masters-college-presidential-inauguration

https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/15943

https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/55-5/the-elements-of-a-strong-spiritual-life-part-1

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enFebruary 21, 2024

Episode 4: Friendship and the Finish Line

After the study of God’s Word, nothing gives John MacArthur more joy in life and ministry than relationships. For him, being with those of like precious faith infuses his days with meaning, encouragement, and the grace of God. All pastors need to prioritize friendships. This episode looks at the biblical, cosmic scope of friendship, explores the reasons why it has fallen on hard times, and shows why no minister can endure without friends. Along the way, John recounts his unique, life-giving friendship with R.C. Sproul and gives all of us principles for cultivating relationships like that, maintaining them, and responding when friends disappoint.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enNovember 21, 2023

Episode 3: When Believers Stop Believing

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you probably know someone who used to follow Jesus Christ, but now wants nothing to do with him. Why does that happen? What marks the path from faith to apostasy? John MacArthur started exploring those questions in college, when long-time Christian friends stunned him by walking away from God and into atheism and false religion. What he found is that the path to apostasy is well-trod, dating back to Judas, who rejected Jesus after following him for three years. This episode traces what John learned, then taught for decades, about apostasy, what happens when believers stop believing, and how all of us can be sure that once we are truly saved, God will never let us go.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enOctober 25, 2023

Episode 2: The Gospel According to Jesus

In 1988, John MacArthur’s book The Gospel According to Jesus stirred no small amount of controversy. By simply looking at what Jesus meant when he said follow me, the book exposed more than one false version of the gospel prominent among evangelicals. This episode takes you back to that pivotal time, a turning point both in John’s ministry and the evangelical church, to show you what it really means to follow Jesus, and why a right understanding of the gospel is essential to an enduring ministry.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enSeptember 27, 2023

Episode 1: The Drivetrain

If, like John MacArthur, your ministry is going to endure for more than a half-century, you need to know how to navigate doctrinal disagreements within your local congregation and with other pastors, churches, and Christian leaders. To do that well, you have to know how to prioritize doctrine and practice what’s often been called theological triage. See how John MacArthur has practiced this kind of triage and kept his ministry doctrinally pure by focusing on what he calls the Drivetrain. This is episode one of season 3 of the MacArthur Center podcast.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enSeptember 06, 2023

Episode 8: MacArthur and His Successor

Who will succeed John MacArthur? Who will carry on the God-centered, biblical-grounded, expository ministry that he’s built over the past half-century? John MacArthur has always had a succession plan. For decades, he’s known exactly how he wants the ministry to carry on at Grace Community Church when he’s gone. This episode looks at his succession plan. It also, with the help of John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, Tony Reinke, David Gibson, and Geoffrey Chang, explores how any of us who love the church can think wisely about passing truth to the next generation.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enDecember 21, 2022

Episode 7: MacArthur and the Government

On July 26th, 2020, California’s government leaders said the worship service at Grace Community Church was an illegal gathering. John MacArthur called it “a peaceful protest.” Why did the church defy the state and county’s health mandates? This episode, the penultimate of season two, goes behind-the-scenes of MacArthur and Grace Church’s lawsuit against Los Angeles County. Beyond that, we go to Washington D.C., then north of the border, and back to a 1975 MacArthur sermon to show that Christians should submit to government, resist at times, while always preaching the gospel to their political leaders. Tune in for a crash-course in political theology: truth Christians will likely need in the coming years.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enNovember 09, 2022

Episode 6: MacArthur and His Critics

For pastors, criticism comes with the job. It's a reality for nearly everyone in ministry, especially those preaching the whole counsel of God. So how should pastors, or any Christian for that matter, handle the criticism that's sure to come? What do you say when someone accuses you of unbiblical teaching, or unfairly maligns your character? John MacArthur has learned more than a few lessons on how to respond to the critics throughout his 53 years of pastoral ministry. There have been lots of public critiques of his theology. And plenty have found something negative to say about his personality, tone, and leadership. This episode draws out lessons on handling criticism from his life, particularly a time in the late 80s when MacArthur travelled to Limerick Pennsylvania to defend himself against charges of heresy.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enOctober 19, 2022

Bonus Episode: MacArthur and the Puritans

If you appreciate John MacArthur’s preaching—particularly how he takes such an in-depth, thorough look at each text—you can thank a Puritan. Who were these men of God from centuries ago? And why do they have a particularly powerful influence not just on MacArthur, but on many of the most effective expositors in the world today? Find out in MacArthur and the Puritans, a bonus episode that previews the Puritan Conference, October 5-7 at Grace Community Church, To register, and see the world-class lineup of speakers, go to puritanconference.org.

The MacArthur Center Podcast

enSeptember 07, 2022

Ask this episode Anything

What was the main topic of the podcast episode?

Summarise the key points discussed in the episode?

Were there any notable quotes or insights from the speakers?

Which popular books were mentioned in this episode?

Were there any points particularly controversial or thought-provoking discussed in the episode?

Were any current events or trending topics addressed in the episode?