Book Review - "John MacArthur; Servant of the Word and Flock"

I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Iain Murray's biography of John MacArthur recently from Grace to You, and after what seemed like years of reading for my Systematic Theology course I picked it up last week read and through it. It was devastatingly convicting to say the least. John MacArthur is without a doubt a gift to the church whose monumental impact for the cause of Christ will only be revealed in eternity. I'd like to briefly note a few of characteristics of his life that became evident in these few pages.

First, John MacArthur is a man of the Word. Murray's book basically begins and ends with this truth. His life and his ministry are wrapped up in a cloak of passion for correctly interpreting the Words of God. As a young pastor entering the pulpit of Grace Community Church, his request to the elders was that they allow him 30 hours a week in his study in preparation for his weekly preaching ministry. They complied, and MacArthur continues that practice to this day. The results are apparent in every aspect of his ministry.

Second, John MacArthur is a man of principle. Book titles such as "The Gospel According to Jesus", "The Gospel According to the Apostles", and "Charasmatic Chaos" and articles such as this readily demonstrate this point. When his conclusions are drawn from what he believes to be a correct interpretation of Scripture, John MacArthur will not be moved. Even in the face of opposition, MacArthur is a gracious, yet ardent defender of the gospel of Christ.

Third, John MacArthur is a man of humility. His regular practice is to deflect praise and honor that is offered in his direction, and instead point well-meaning admirers to his Master. Murray writes that MacArthur refuses monetary advantages that could be his as a result of his works, and consistently denies raises in salary that are offered to him by his congregation.

Fourth, John MacArthur is a man of grace. Murray recounts that as he interviewed members of Grace, their consistent testimony was that in the midst of monumental trials and opposition, MacArthur's life is a stunning portrait of grace. He never lashed out against attackers, or questioned the ways of God. He chose rather to show the love of Christ in all that he did.

Fifth, John MacArthur is a man of impact. At the end of his book, Murray draws comparisons to his ministry and that of C.H. Spurgeon. Although I'm sure that MacArthur would disapprove of such comparisons, his life, works, and ministry are all testimonies to the undeniable impact that he has had on global Christianity.

Weaknesses in this book are few and far between, but one can be noted. Murray took the opportunity at a couple of points to offer his own critique of MacArthur on a few issues. His critiques felt out of place and inappropriate for the setting in which they were offered.

I would definitely recommend this book to you. It's short, engaging, educational, and convicting. You'll come away realizing that John MacArthur is an incredible friend to grace.