Influential Christian clergyman, John MacArthur recently died (14 July 2025).
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| AI image for illustration only Bing Creator 2025 |
MacArthur's beliefs reveal the difficulty integrating faith and science for many Christians. I hypothesize that some beliefs are so different that patients and providers holding a MacArthur worldview would have difficulty interacting effectively with those patients or providers who hold a contrasting scientific worldview. Following are some beliefs collected from the internet. Please offer corrections for any inaccuracies as to the facts provided, quotations, or links to the references provided.
1. Young Earth Creationism
Belief: MacArthur teaches that the Earth was created in six literal 24-hour days and is only several thousand years old.
Supporting Citation:
“The duration of ‘the evening and the morning’ on the first day of creation was the same as the evening and morning of any solar day” (MacArthur, 2001, p. 37).
Contrast with Science: Radiometric dating and astronomical evidence estimate Earth’s age at approximately 4.5 billion years. (Sutton, 2024a, Sutton, 2025b)
2. Rejection of Evolutionary Theory
Belief: MacArthur rejects Darwinian evolution, asserting that it is a “lie” and incompatible with biblical truth.
Supporting Citation:
“The evolutionary lie is so pointedly antithetical to Christian truth that it would seem unthinkable for evangelical Christians to compromise with evolutionary science in any degree” (MacArthur, 2001, p. 13).
Contrast with Science: Evolutionary biology supports common ancestry and natural selection as foundational mechanisms for species development. (Sutton, 2024a, Sutton, 2025b)
3. Biblical Inerrancy and Psychology
Belief: MacArthur argues that secular psychology undermines biblical truth and that Scripture alone is sufficient for understanding human behavior.
Supporting Citation:
“The only true remedy for suffering and pain in human life is found in Christ and in the transformative work of the Word through the Spirit” (MacArthur, 1994, p. 21).
Contrast with Science: Psychology integrates empirical research and clinical methods to address mental health, including biological and cognitive factors.
4. Gender and Sexual Identity
Belief: MacArthur holds complementarian views, opposing same-sex relationships and transgender identities as violations of biblical design.
Supporting Citation:
“This notion that you are something other than your biology is a cultural construct intended as an assault on God” (MacArthur, 2022, as cited in Premier Christian News).
Contrast with Science: Contemporary psychology and medical organizations affirm LGBTQ identities as natural variations of human experience.
5. Equality of Women and Men
Belief: John MacArthur espoused a complementarian framework in which men and women are equal in value but distinct in role. His interpretation is rooted in passages like Ephesians 5:22–33 and Genesis 2, which he viewed as prescribing male headship and female submission within marriage.
Supporting Citations:
men and women are “equal in essence, equal in dignity, equal in value, equal in spiritual privilege, equal in moral responsibility, equal in eternal importance” (MacArthur, 1976).
“I am a Christian, therefore I am a complementarian. I believe the Bible, therefore I am a complementarian.” — John MacArthur (as cited in Burk, 2025)
Contrast with Science: Scientists support gender equality in the workplace and in relationships. (Sutton, 2025a; Sutton, 2025b)
6. Same-Sex Marriage
Belief: John MacArthur maintained that marriage is a covenantal union between one man and one woman, instituted by God for purposes such as procreation, companionship, and spiritual symbolism (MacArthur, 2010). Central to his perspective was the conviction that Scripture unequivocally condemns homosexual behavior, citing passages like Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26–27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 as clear evidence of biblical disapproval (MacArthur, 2021). MacArthur described same-sex marriage as “a blasphemy against God” and “not a marriage at all,” contending that it fundamentally violates God’s created order and design for human relationships (MacArthur, 2024). Despite his denunciation of the practice, he emphasized a pastoral response that included the gospel’s promise of grace, redemption, and transformation for those who repent of homosexual behavior (MacArthur, 2021).
Supporting Citation:
“Same-sex marriage is not a marriage at all. It is a blasphemy against God, as is transgender life and homosexuality as well.” — John MacArthur (as cited in Christian Post, 2024)
Contrast with Science: Contemporary psychological and sociological research presents a markedly different perspective on same-sex marriage, highlighting its positive impact on individual and societal well-being. Legal recognition is associated with lower stress, reduced depression, and greater life satisfaction among LGBTQ+ individuals (Karney et al., 2024). Empirical studies indicate that same-sex couples exhibit relationship stability and divorce rates comparable to heterosexual couples, with marriage enhancing commitment and overall well-being (Smith, 2024). Additionally, public health outcomes improve as legal same-sex marriage correlates with reductions in sexually transmitted infections and increased engagement in HIV prevention strategies (RAND Corporation, 2024).
7. Women and Termination of Pregnancy
Belief: John MacArthur held a staunchly pro-life theological position, teaching that life begins at conception and that abortion constitutes murder because every unborn child bears God’s image (MacArthur, 1992). He viewed abortion as emblematic of a “culture of death” and condemned it as a rejection of divine authority, calling legalized abortion “a form of mass murder” (MacArthur, 1992). MacArthur also opposed all abortion legislation permitting late-term procedures, describing laws like New York’s Reproductive Health Act as “a monstrous violation of the sanctity of life” (MacArthur, 2019). He rejected exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities, promoting adoption and gospel-centered pastoral care. His response included a call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness for those who had experienced abortion, underscoring the redemptive hope found in Christ (MacArthur, 1992).
Supporting Citation:
“America, as a nation, is highly committed by law and by practice to a form of mass murder” (MacArthur, 1992).
Contrast with Science: The American Psychological Association (2022) reaffirmed its support for reproductive rights, including access to legal abortion, citing evidence that restrictions harm psychological health and disproportionately affect marginalized populations. Research shows that legal abortion is associated with improved mental health outcomes, reduced maternal mortality, and greater socioeconomic stability for women (Adesomo, 2022; RAND Corporation, 2024). Scientific consensus also recognizes that defining the beginning of human life is not a purely biological determination but involves ethical, philosophical, and social considerations (Sanders, 2022). For example, viability outside the womb typically occurs around 24 weeks, and fetal pain perception is not neurologically possible until at least 28 weeks (Verma, 2022), challenging claims that personhood begins at conception. See also Sutton (2024b).
References
Adesomo, A. (2022, May 30). Pregnancy is far more dangerous than abortion. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pregnancy-is-far-more-dangerous-than-abortion
American Psychological Association. (2022, March 1). APA reaffirms support for reproductive rights, including access to legal abortion [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/03/reproductive-rights
Burk, D. (2025, July 15). A tribute to John MacArthur (1939–2025). Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
Christian Post. (2024, February 15). John MacArthur rejects Alistair Begg’s advice for LGBT weddings. https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-rejects-alistair-beggs-advice-for-lgbt-weddings.html
Karney, B. R., Zaber, M. A., Smith, M. G., Mann, S., AlFakhri, M., Coe, J., Ryan, J., Gadwah-Meaden, C., Mallory, C., Sears, B., & Garber, C. (2024). Twenty years of legal marriage for same-sex couples in the United States: Evidence review and new analyses. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2912-1.html
MacArthur, J. (1976, April 25). The subordination and equality of women [Sermon]. Grace to You.
MacArthur, J. (1992, August 30). The biblical view on abortion, Part 1 [Sermon]. Grace to You. https://www.gty.org/sermons/90-67/the-biblical-view-on-abortion-part-1
MacArthur, J. (1994). Our sufficiency in Christ. Word Publishing.
MacArthur, J. (2001). The battle for the beginning: Creation, evolution, and the Bible. Thomas Nelson.
MacArthur, J. (2010). Divine design: God's complementary roles for men and women. Crossway.
MacArthur, J. (2019, January 27). Abortion and the campaign for immorality [Sermon]. Grace Community Church. https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/9637
MacArthur, J. (2021, June 15). God’s view of homosexuality, Part 1 [Audio broadcast]. Grace to You. https://bottradionetwork.com/ministry/grace-to-you/2021-06-15-gods-view-of-homosexuality-part-1/
Premier Christian News. (2022, January 24). YouTube removes John MacArthur sermon on sexuality. https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/youtube-removes-john-macarthur-sermon-on-sexuality
RAND Corporation. (2024). Twenty years of legal marriage for same-sex couples in the United States: Evidence review and new analyses. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2912-1.html
Sanders, L. (2022, June 24). 5 misunderstandings of pregnancy biology that cloud the abortion debate. Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/abortion-roe-v-wade-pregnancy-biology-supreme-court-ruling
Smith, M. (2024). Same-sex marriage in the United States: 20 years of research. Psychology in Action. https://www.psychologyinaction.org/same-sex-marriage-in-the-united-states-20-years-of-research/
Sutton, G. W. (2025a). Eve, a serpent, and a woman’s place: Relating Christianity and psychology. Sunflower. Availability: Amazon Google Bookstore
Sutton, G. W. (2024a). Irreconcilable differences? Apes, Adam and an ark: Relating Christianity and psychology. Sunflower. ISBN = 979-8323386581 (ON AMAZON)
Sutton, G. W. (2024b). Reproduction: Who Controls Women’s Bodies? Christian Theologies and Psychology Irreconcilable Differences? Sunflower. AMAZON Kindle
Sutton, G. W. (2025b). Worldviews apart: Christianity and psychology | An exploration of possibilities for bridging the divide between faith and science. Sunflower Press. AMAZON Google
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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