<p>In 2020, as state authorities across the country were closing down churches and dictating worship practices — No singing! No more than fifty people! — my editor at a Christian magazine offered me an assignment. Would I interview renowned preacher John MacArthur, who at that time was making national headlines for opposing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s shutdown orders?</p>
<p>I could not have said &#8220;yes&#8221; faster.</p>
<p>My editor was unaware, but from the time I became a Christian some 20 years earlier, no public figure’s work had meant more to my life. No ministry had shaped me in greater ways than his international radio and podcast ministry, Grace to You. Like millions of other Christians around the world, his daily teachings had been the backdrop of mundane domestic tasks, long car rides, and sleepless nights. His books were the first resources I turned to when dealing with a crisis or trial. When I received a Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, his messages on suffering and prayer played through the wee hours, comforting me until I could catch a few hours of rest. When he sent me a message of personal encouragement, I told him that someday, it would be like showing my grandchildren a note I’d received from Charles Spurgeon. I laughed as I said it, but I wasn’t really joking.</p>
<p>They say you should never meet your heroes, the idea being that it will lead to inevitable disillusionment. I had the opposite experience with John MacArthur.</p>
<p>As we continued to correspond, my estimation of him grew deeper and richer. The man I spoke to privately was the same man whose public ministry I had followed so closely for so many years. His concern was always for faithful application of Scripture to any situation. And for souls. After I took a job with a conservative media company, every call I had with him included his urging me on to love and good works, especially to act as a Christian witness to any unbelieving coworkers and friends around me.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-tribute-to-john-macarthur-a-lion-who-was-my-friend?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Ben+Shapiro&amp;category=Opinion&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=A+Tribute+To+John+MacArthur%2C+A+Lion+Who+Was+My+Friend">BEN SHAPIRO: A Tribute To John MacArthur, A Lion Who Was My Friend</a></strong></p>
<p>Whether in debates on The Larry King Show or preaching from his pulpit, he never watered down the truth of Scripture to appeal to a general audience. His adherence to sound doctrine never wavered, and he never showed an ounce of reticence to preach the Word, clearly and plainly. Even in the bright glare of the secular media, he never equivocated on issues that are biblically true, but culturally unpopular.</p>
<p>So his staunch opposition to a government that thought it could claim jurisdiction over the practices of the church was no surprise. Nor was the open letter he wrote to Newsom, calling him to repentance.</p>
<p>Now, at his death at age 86, I cannot help but feel we have seen the last of the great lions pass out of the world. But I know, as Pastor John would’ve taught me, that the Lord does not leave himself without a witness. And He will raise up more teachers like Johnny Mac, as his dear friend, the great theologian R.C. Sproul, another of the great lions, used to call him.</p>
<p>On that note, I smile now to imagine the two of them reunited, their races now complete.</p>
<p>I thank the Lord for MacArthur’s legacy and that he now has the full joy of his salvation. And I live in the reassurance that, due in large part to his ministry, I will one day hear the words he is surely hearing now: well done, good and faithful servant.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

The Great Lion Enters Into His Rest

CONTINUE READING

Teen Takeovers Turn Blue Cities Into ‘Scenes From The Purge’

Pastors Have A Duty To Rebuke James Talarico

Career Activist Who Disrupted Minneapolis Worship Service Also Targeted Hegseth’s DC Church

A Tragic End For A Hollywood Legend

Religious NGO That Settled Afghan Shooter Condemned Trump For Additional Vetting Order

Nicki Minaj Puts Nigeria’s Christian Persecution In The Spotlight

Opinion

Christianity

Church

COVID

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Opinion —

The Great Lion Enters Into His Rest