I like John MacArthur. I really do. I can say without overstating the facts that the Lord used his teaching ministry in fair measure to get me back on the right path to God when I had gone astray a number of years ago. While I understand he’s taken a lot of heat of late from his own reformed camp with regard to his views on eschatology, that is not the reason for this post.

In a recent sermon, well, not so recent but one that I recently listened to, he colored N.T. Wright in a less than favorable light (a poet and don’t know it), saying that the famed bishop in the Church of England writes in such a way as to suggest that his explanations and apologetics for our faith are more accurate and convincing than the entire body of conservative Biblical writing up till now. Okay, that may be well and good. I know Wright should be on my list of reading, but I confess I am one of the (apparently) rare ministers who have never read from the good bishop. He may be a deceiver of the elect, I don’t know (somehow I don’t think so). I cannot answer to MacArthur’s quip.

And yet, at the close of his sermon, the Grace to You broadcast went immediately to commercial where Dr. MacArthur advertised a couple of solid resources for spiritual understanding and growth in the Christian Life. One was his very own study Bible. I have one and, I admit, got a lot out of it a few years ago when I used it for my personal time with God. I read every note, every chart, every line and gleaned much. Believe me, the man is a gifted teacher and student of scripture and I respect his place within the community of faith quite adoringly. So far the Pyromaniacs love me. Are you sensing a “but” here? Continue reading »