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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Pastor

John MacArthur

John Fullerton MacArthur Jr.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. was an influential American evangelical pastor, author, and theologian known for his expository preaching and long tenure at Grace Community Church. He died on July 14, 2025, at age 86.

What it is

John MacArthur served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, from 1969 until his death. He founded Grace to You, a Bible-teaching media ministry, and authored many books, including the widely used MacArthur Study Bible. His work reached a global audience through radio, print, and online resources.

Why it matters

MacArthur shaped modern evangelical preaching through his verse-by-verse expository style and conservative Calvinistic theology. His media ministry and publications, including the MacArthur Study Bible, influenced pastors and lay readers worldwide, including in Canada, where his materials were widely circulated among evangelical churches.

Key details

MacArthur was born in Los Angeles in 1939 and led Grace Community Church for over 55 years. He was known for lordship salvation and a strong commitment to biblical inerrancy. His final sermon was preached on November 24, 2024, and he died after health challenges that began in early 2023.

In short

  • John MacArthur was a leading American evangelical pastor and author, known for expository preaching.
  • He served Grace Community Church from 1969 until his death in 2025.
  • His media ministry Grace to You and the MacArthur Study Bible had a wide international reach.
  • He was a Calvinistic theologian who emphasized lordship salvation and verse-by-verse Bible teaching.
Canadian angle

John MacArthur’s books, sermons, and media ministry were widely circulated in Canada among evangelical readers and churches, making him a notable figure for Canadian Christianity and religious media audiences.

Quick questions

Who is John MacArthur?
John MacArthur was an American evangelical pastor, author, broadcaster, and theologian best known for leading Grace Community Church and teaching verse-by-verse Bible exposition.
How old was John MacArthur when he died?
He was 86 years old at the time of his death on July 14, 2025.
Does John MacArthur believe in Calvinism?
Yes, multiple sources describe him as Calvinistic or belonging to a Calvinistic evangelical tradition.

Sources

  1. Got Questions Ministries — https://www.gotquestions.org/John-MacArthur.html
    Supports: Birth, death, age, ministry roles, books, Grace to You, and general biography.
  2. Moody Bible Institute — https://www.moodybible.org/news/2025/remembering-john-macarthur/
    Supports: Death date and age.
  3. Grace Community Church — https://www.gracechurch.org/leader/macarthur/john
    Supports: Church role, death announcement, ministry timeline, and health context.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_MacArthur_(American_pastor)
    Supports: Calvinistic identification, final sermon date, and pastoral timeline.
  5. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/us/john-macarthur-dead.html
    Supports: Death at age 86 and public significance.