Are the Accusations Against John MacArthur False?

A huge question for our time is how far to go in the critique of another Christian, particularly, a legitimate Christian leader with a large following? Like a John MacArthur. I suggest it is not possible to answer that question without establishing certain things first: (1) the validity of the ministry insofar as to whether this ministry is a cult or cultic; and (2) whether the harm to the ministry by the criticism can be justified biblically, even if the criticism is valid. While other questions could be raised as a preface, these are two that are an absolute minimum.

DOES SOCIAL MEDIA ALTER THE DYNAMICS OF THE RIGHTNESS OF A CRITICISM OF A MINISTRY?

Today, one is able to communicate with tens of thousands of people with relative ease and deliver criticisms of a ministry and/or a particular pastor, or individual, with the press of a button, uploading his/her words to the internet. Where such criticisms would, in years past, have been difficult to have much of an impact absent a vehicle capable of effectively reaching the public in a significant manner, this is no longer true. In years past, an invalid criticism or material facts that were inaccurate would not matter that much (on earth) because few people would have learned about it. Today, that is no longer true. (But, see Matt. 12:36.)

Therefore, the question that lies before every Christian with access to the internet looms large. How far should you go? What impact might your words have and is that impact justified? Other questions arise naturally, the primary one of course being whether or not your “facts” are true. But, even if they are true, are your criticism still worthy of publication (as in making public by delivering to any platform, digital or otherwise). And, of course, at the foundation lies the question of whether the criticism is biblically justified.

This piece will not seek to be an exhaustive treatise on the questions raised here (and other questions that would arise naturally from such a discussion). Nor will it be a “Bible study” in disguise (though this would be a subject that would make a great study). But, I do hope to make some general observations that might, at the least, give some would-be critics pause before they tilt at whatever ministerial windmills they have in mind. It is a much-needed discussion that needs to be held within Christianity.

JOHN MACARTHUR & PHIL JOHNSON

A good case study would be the sharp attacks recently made against John MacArthur, a California pastor by a journalist and a video blogger (vlog). One of his associate pastors, Phil Johnson was also tossed into the mix with specific, serious allegations against him (Johnson), which frankly, raised red flags in my mind as bordering on being libelous. (I don’t know California law well enough to make a definitive conclusion.) Charges were made in the article that, in essence, clearly cast a very dark shadow over the pastor insofar as his integrity and Christian character. The same shadow was cast over Phil Johnson, with the added twist that he “may” have broken the law. Most people reading the article would come away with the notion that MacArthur was a liar and a hypocrite and should immediately resign his ministry. The alleged facts brought a reader logically to such a conclusion.

That compels the question be answered which was raised earlier, to wit, “Are your facts true?” That is absolutely critical to the whole issue. (But, I suggest to the reader here that even if a fact is true, the question as to whether a criticism should be made still must be decided. It is not automatic.)

In the alleged facts raised in the article and subsequently by the vlogger (who used the article as a primary source (a definite “no-no” for any serious researcher), there are some hard questions remaining as to the truth and therefore, the legitimacy of the alleged facts raised against MacArthur and Johnson. Not minor. Serious questions.

CHRISTIAN CASUALTIES

At a time when Christianity is under attack from all quarters, we cannot afford to lose a single credible Christian voice in our midst. We’re losing credibility with the world because of tares in our pulpits who are leading, literally, millions of people, some genuine believers, astray. We have churches filled with immature, undiscipled and ignorant Christians who enthusiastically embrace, without question, and without a Berean inquest into doctrines of demons fed to them by 2 Corinthian 11:15 ministers. Add to that, the fact that we are witness to churches and Christian lives being devastated because of moral failures by Christian men and women who bring shame and reproach to the Body of Christ.

Therefore, it becomes absolutely imperative that we are extremely careful with our words and spiritually measured in our tone. We are told to “speak the truth....” (Eph 4:15). That’s the easy part. The hard part for me, and for you, if you’re honest, is the part that says “in love.” As Christians, we are to love each other “fervently” (1 Pet. 1:22). Moreover, we can’t just profess to “love” our brother or sister, but we have to demonstrate it “in deed and in truth” (1 John. 3:18).

BIBLICAL MODEL MUST BE FOLLOWED BY THE CHRISTIAN POLICE

The biblical model is a tough one for us. Once we’re convinced that a man or woman is a brother or sister in Christ and undertake to raise our voice against him or her in an unbiblical fashion, it’s as though we’ve glued our tongue to a frozen flag pole. The only way we’ll get away from that pole without hurting ourselves is with some warmth on our tongue. (Dunno about you, but I’ve lost some skin a time or two.)

For those who’ve taken aim on John MacArthur and Phil Johnson, unless you’re extremely without discernment, you know absolutely both of these men are genuine Christians. Both are servants of God. Moreover, their ministries are beyond question insofar as being legitimate works of God. MacArthur has demonstrated his service for a large number of years in a single location. Johnson has a similar record of longevity and service to the Lord. The lengthy demonstration of legitimate good works alone should, by itself, bring caution to a man or woman who would make an accusation against another such a ministry and/or such a brother or sister in Christ.

CREDIBLE EVIDENCE LACKING AGAINST MACARTHUR & JOHNSON

Add to that, for both men, that there is no credible evidence that has been brought forth to suggest these two men are anything other than what they are perceived to be: men of God, doing the work of the Lord as best they can. I use the word “credible” as a lawyer. I understand the word better than the average person. It’s a word that has been in my vocabulary for nearly 37 years. I know how to evaluate evidence and a witness. I’ve done it for a living, working as a trial lawyer in federal court, doing civil rights cases, and in literally hundreds of cases in state court. So, I’ll say again: There is no “credible evidence” that has been brought forth against MacArthur or Johnson that I have seen.

For the critics, please. We all are old enough to understand that these two men are not “perfect” in word or deed. (Are you?) And, don’t respond with “Well, I ain’t a pastor…blah, blah, blah…. Come on. We are all servants to the same Christ and subject to the same moral, ethical and spiritual boundaries. If you call yourself a Christian (and are), then you have the same biblical obligation to be holy as they do. And yes, I know the arguments against that, but I hold the obligations are the same: the impact, consequences and “penalties” may be different for their failures than ours, but we all are under the same standards of holiness.

FAIR DISCLOSURE

First of all, I’m not a member of MacArthur’s church. In fact, we are far apart in some of his theology. I am not a Calvinist. I think he’s wrong. Clearly, he is certain I am wrong. But, I do love some of his books (his book Charismatic Chaos is a “must read” for all Christians, especially Charismatics). Excepting for the issue I mentioned, it is my belief that his messages in print and otherwise are extremely helpful and useful to the Body of Christ. John MacArthur is a legitimate servant of Christ doing the works of God-good works.

I know Phil Johnson. I’ve never met him, and to my knowledge, I don’t think we’ve ever talked. So, we’re not “friends” though we’re friendly. I view him as a Christian brother. As with MacArthur, I don’t agree with his views on Calvin, but I have heard him speak and for the most part, enjoyed what I heard. I think he’s a good and godly man and a benefit to the Body. I know of no credible evidence to refute my evaluation. I do know that both of these men have credibility with me. I know their works. I do not know the works of the critics, so they have no credibility with me. (They may be otherwise credible people. I have no way of knowing, other than knowing what I’ve seen thus far is not, for me, credible.)

BEEN THERE….

And, for further fair disclosure (anticipating some of the “Hypocrite!” arrows that will no doubt come my way), let me say this. I have had my time in the arena of raising accusations against a “man of God.” I know the drill. I know the rules. I know what is required. And to be honest, I broke some of the rules. While I spoke the truth, it wasn’t always with love. Frankly, in some instances, I went for the proverbial jugular. As a lawyer, I know exactly where the dotted line across the throat runs and I know how to follow the dots. I connected the dots with some pretty sharp words at times. And, I was wrong. Not for publishing the truth. I got all my facts right. I did a year of research, interviewed dozens of witnesses (many from “inner circle” staff and even family). But, some of what I wrote was without love. For that, I was wrong. That’s why there came a time when I withdrew the book from the market during the lifetime of my “target” in spite of a rather substantial demand. It’s an issue I’ve had to struggle with, to wit, the desire for the truth to be out there to help others, but at what cost to some ministries? I confess to not being able to successfully untie this Gordian knot. Perhaps one day.