Book Review: Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue

It has been over a year since John MacArthur has stepped into glory and see Jesus face to face. MacArthur has authored many books over the years including some commentaries. Back in 2017, MacArthur along with Richard Mayhue have put together a Systematic Theology based on MacArthur's teaching and preaching. This book is simply titled, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth.

Over 1,000 pages of the theology of John MacArthur summarized into one volume which was probably not an easy task, but it was accomplished. The book basically goes over the doctrine of the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity which each member into their own individual chapters, and the doctrine of salvation. 

MacArthur goes on with the doctrine of man, angels, the church, and the future, which is Dispensationalism. For those who have followed MacArthur for years, you know this is no surprise. 

If you have read Systematic Theology books in the past, you know that the theology is the Bible interpreted by the author of that particular volume. A lot of works is similar with a few differences. In reading MacArthur, you will find agreement with other works of Systematic Theology along with disagreements. 

As I mentioned earlier, it has been over a year since MacArthur has passed away yet his legacy and influence lives on. I am thankful this book was put together. This is one for any serious theology student to have on their bookshelf. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

John MacArthur: The Scandal of the Catholic Priesthood

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MacArthur on the Roman Catholic View of Justification

Roman Catholicism blends its doctrines of sanctification and justification. Catholic theology views justification as an infusion of grace that makes the sinner righteous. In Catholic theology, then, the ground of justification is something made good within the sinner—not the imputed righteousness of Christ. The Council of Trent, Rome’s response to the Reformation, pronounced anathema on anyone who says “that the [sinner] is justified by faith alone—if this means that nothing else is required by way of cooperation in the acquisition of the grace of justification.” The Catholic council ruled “Justification . . . is not remission of sins merely, but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man, through the voluntary reception of the grace, and of the gifts, whereby man of unjust becomes just.” So Catholic theology confuses the concepts of justification and sanctification and substitutes the righteousness of the believer for the righteousness of Christ. 

This difference between Rome and the Reformers is no example of theological hair-splitting. The corruption of the doctrine of justification results in several other grievous theological errors. If sanctification is included in justification, then justification is a process, not an event. That makes justification progressive, not complete. One’s standing before God is then based on subjective experience, not secured by an objective declaration. Justification can therefore be experienced and then lost. 

Assurance of salvation in this life becomes practically impossible because security can’t be guaranteed. The ground of justification ultimately is the sinner’s own continuing present virtue, not Christ’s perfect righteousness and His atoning work. Those issues were fiercely debated in the Reformation, and the lines were clearly drawn. Reformed theology to this day upholds the biblical doctrine of justification by faith against the Roman view of justification by works/merit.

Adapted from The Gospel According to the Apostles by John MacArthur

John MacArthur: The Ugliness of Christmas

John MacArthur: How to Test the Spirits

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John MacArthur's Memorial Service

Tom Pennington's Tribute to John MacArthur

Ever since John MacArthur passed away, there have been many tributes to him. Articles, podcast, and videos have been going nonstop. Tom Pennington just recently released perhaps one of the most heartfelt tributes to MacArthur.

Book Review: Think Biblically edited by John MacArthur and Abner Chou

A worldview is basically how a person looks at the world around them. All of us have a worldview of some kind depending on where you live in the world. Christians are ones that need to think and look at the world around them through the lens of the Bible. What this is means is that God's people are to have a Biblical worldview.

John MacArthur and Abner Chou has gathered writings from their fellow teachers at The Master's Seminary to speak on how we can view sin, mental health, creation, and other topics with a Biblical worldview in a book titled, Think Biblically.

The first part of the book deals with the Biblical foundation of forming a Biblical worldview which begins with seeing Scripture as the authority for the believer along being sufficient in life and godliness. Chou writes about Hermeneutics which is interpreting the Bible followed by other writers addressing gaining a Biblical worldview also looking at what the Bible says about sin, creation, having a right relationship with God, and looking at how God sees the nations.

The remainder of the book deals with the Biblical formulations. These chapters look at developing a Biblical worldview in various subjects such as our postmodern world, what it means to be a Christian man or woman, and looking at how we should view science in the light of scripture. There are even chapters on developing a Biblical worldview in mathematics, education, and even enjoying worship and music. 

I am thankful this book was released in a second edition because there is so much that has happened in the world that a book like this needed to be updated. Those who wish to seek assistance in gaining a Biblical worldview, this book will be a valuable resource for you and your church.

I received in this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.   

John MacArthur's Final Sermon

Father, You know that we could dig deeply into each of these, but sometimes just the sweeping elements of divine grace granted to unworthy sinners is more powerful than any one single grace. For all these gifts, all these promises, we thank You. And they’re not something that we will receive other than heaven; they are something we have received. It’s all ours already. The only thing awaiting us is that final heaven of heavens. But life for us in Christ and with Christ in us is certainly a heaven on earth. We thank You for the love that granted us such great and precious promises. We offer You our thanks in Christ’s name. Amen. 

This was the closing prayer to John MacArthur's final sermon preached on November 24, 2024, which was titled, "The Unfailing Promises of God:"

John MacArthur: The Resurrection Gospel

The Time I Attended John MacArthur's Church

I am sure many of you have been sadden with the passing of beloved pastor and Bible teacher, John MacArthur. There have been many posts, blog entries, and videos in tribute to man who has dedicated to preaching the Word of God not only to his church, but also the saints all over the world.

I would like to share about my one and only time, I visited John MacArthur's church. I was on a mission trip with our church's Youth Ministry back in 1993, when we attended the Sunday evening service at Grace Community Church. I had no idea at the time where were or who was preaching. I do not remember how the service started, but I will never forget the greeting we received from MacArthur.

As he was welcoming everyone in the service, he asked if this was anyone's first time visiting Grace. Of course, I raised my hand along with everyone in our group. MacArthur acknowledged a large gathering of hands being raised and mentioned our church by name stating we were in California on a mission trip. 

We never got to meet MacArthur in person, but with his acknowledgement of our presence, although I cannot speak for everyone, made us feel welcomed. What I know of MacArthur from various stories, that is who he was. He made have preached hard things, but he was hospitable. 

There are many pastors who can learn a thing or two from MacArthur's hospitality. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of pastors who practice hospitality even though that is a requirement from an elder according to 1 Timothy 3. 

MacArthur will indeed be missed by many including myself, but the most who will feel his absence the most are his family, his close friends, and his church. We must pray for God to comfort his family and friends. We must also pray that God will give the elders of Grace Community Church wisdom as they their church to continue to preach the gospel faithfully and unashamedly. 

John MacArthur: The Pope and the Papacy

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John MacArthur: Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship

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John MacArthur: The Believer’s Lifelong Battle for Holiness

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MacArthur on the Origin of Evil

Philosophers struggle to explain the origin of evil. One thing is certain: God is not its author, creator, or efficient cause. Everything He created was good. Evil was no part of His creation. Who then created evil? No one. Evil is neither substance, being, spirit, nor matter. It is not a created thing. It is simply a want of moral perfection in moral agents who were originally created sinless. Evil has no existence apart from fallen creatures.

God, although absolutely sovereign over all things, is not the author or instigator of sin. He did not concoct sin, encourage it, sanction it, condone it, approve it, or otherwise countenance it. But He created moral agents with a capacity to make moral choices, and they fell (in Calvin’s words) by their own evil intention.

Although sin is no part of creation, neither is it something that sneaked in and caught God by surprise. Sin was not something that thwarted the plan of God; rather, it was part of God’s plan from the beginning. He had a good purpose in allowing it, but still He was neither the instigator nor the author of His creatures’ evil deeds. Rather, He made them moral agents and gave them freedom to act, and they fell into sin by their own choice.

Evolution offers no explanation for the human dilemma, much less any solution to it. Why is human existence fraught with so many moral and spiritual problems? Evolution will never be able to answer that question. In fact, pure naturalistic evolution cannot account for anything that is moral or spiritual.

Scripture says we were made in the image of God but are fallen creatures, born with an inclination to sin. We inherited our sinfulness from Adam. When he sinned, he plunged the whole race into a helplessly fallen state of bondage to evil. That, in a nutshell, is the doctrine known as “original sin.”

Evidence of the sinfulness of our race is all around us. It is published in the daily newspapers, it is shown to us on the evening news, and it is writ large in human history. No one in all our acquaintance is sin-free. Most of all, if we’re honest with ourselves, some of the most persuasive proofs of our hopeless depravity are presented to us by our own consciences.

Adapted from The Battle for the Beginning: The Bible on Creation and the Fall of Adam by John MacArthur

John MacArthur, RC Sproul, and NT Wright: The Doctrine of Justification

This video made by Bill Roach looks into what N.T. Wright believes about the doctrine of justification with a response from R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur:

Jesus: Agent of Creation

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. — John 1:3 

For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. — Colossians 1:16-17 

God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds — Hebrews 1:1-2 

Jesus Christ was God the Father’s agent involved in creating everything in the universe — John MacArthur

This was adapted from a study note in the LSB MacArthur Study Bible

John MacArthur: Is Jesus the Only Way?

John MacArthur on Macro-Discernment

John MacArthur recently preached a two-part sermon on what he calls Macro-discernment over at Grace Church of the Valley:

John MacArthur on the Most Hated Christian Doctrine