John MacArthur: Concerned over Dangerous Belief System

LOUISVILLE, Kent – John Mac Arthur, renowned author and Bible teacher confronted false beliefs that prevail currently at the pulpit. In a recent address to the students and faculty at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, MacArthur commented that no epoch in history has witnessed such a rise of dangerous belief systems as the 20th century.

MacArthur recounted the dangerous biblical teachings throughout history, from pre-reformation sacramentalism to current day post-moderninism and inclusivism. He denounced these teachings as running contrary to the biblical truth.

MacArthur added that the aim of Bible teaching should be conforming church members to the image of Christ. MacArthur said,"This is not a time for weak men in weak pulpits in weak churches preaching weak messages."

He continued to say that he is able to access the level of understanding a congregation has by listening to their worship for 15 minutes, since, he claimed, shallow preaching produces shallow worship.

Furthermore, on his recent appearance on a weekly radio program hosted by Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, MacArthur agreed to Mohler's comment that many pastors focus more on entertainment than on conveying biblical information.

"[Pastors] are avoiding some of those texts that would require them to preach some of those doctrines that might cause offense in the contemporary world," Mohler observed.

MacArthur added to Mohler's account of"theological evasions,"that too often, pastors take"a man-centered approach" and let the culture dictate their message. That sort of preaching, he said, gives the message a biblical allusion -- but in the end "prostitutes the intent of Scripture."

By Pauline J.
pjang@chtoday.com