John MacArthur, please remove the plank from your eye

[Bible Highlighter]

It's easier to preach what Jesus said, than doing what Jesus said. I think that goes for all of us.

It does not undo our responsibility in obeying Jesus as a part of eternal life. Remember, only 8 people made it onboard the ark. The rest of the world was considered wicked by God and He destroyed that world with a global flood. Peter says that the flood was an example to all who should live ungodly thereafter (See: 2 Peter 2:5-6). Jesus said narrow is the way that leads unto life and FEW be there that find it. So I don't think men like John MacArthur is preaching the narrow way by any means. He definitely is not living the narrow way by the possession of his excessive wealth.

 

[bèlla]

I’ve heard John speak on several occasions and many others. We hosted a yearly event that drew big names in those circles. The last time he came there was something in his bearing that bothered me. It might have gone unnoticed but I was live tweeting the event.

Some of the comments were so dour and critical. He wasn’t preaching yet. He condemned differences in music and addressed modernity to some degree.

But the way he said it wasn’t delivered as an opinion. ‘I love this kind of music’. He stated it like a fact. I recalled a comment by someone in my bible study expressing the same. He was frequently quoted and she found it concerning. Many took his words as gospel. I saw the same firsthand.

I’ve witnessed similar behavior towards others. The regard is superhuman. They’re men of God not gods themselves. Some people never question a word they say. That’s dangerous. Everyone can be wrong.

~bella

 

[bèlla]

Some things can't be taught in the classroom. This is where a robust system of field placements and the like is important; but even then, those experiences tend to be what you make of them.

That was a polite way of addressing a character flaw. It was late when I posted. There’s a lot amiss in evangelical circles.

~bella

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The problem isnt how macarthur is spending the money, its the fact that there are still altruists in this day and age. Money itself isnt sinful, its the love of money that is. If a person has money, great! Its a gift from God. God created money for a purpose, and some He decided to give more of it to. Its silly to be mad that macarthur has money and isnt living in a ranch style house while driving a 1990 honda civic.

If a person has Elvis Presley all over their home, that shows they love Elvis Presley. It is the same with money. If a person accumates lots of wealth for themselves whereby they are rich in the world's eyes and admired as being wealthy (and others desire their wealth), then it is sure bet that they love their money. For you cannot be rich and say you don't love your money. If they did not love it, they would easily give that money up. For whatever a person loves whether it be sin or God, they want more of either one that they love. Jesus said you will know false prophets by their fruit. Fruits are deeds. We can clearly see the fruits of John MacArthur in that it is not in line with what Jesus taught and that begins even with his finances and how he handles them.

Most Christians I talk with today prefer defending the idea that they can sin and still be saved instead of teaching that we must live holy and obey God. This very concept and idea shows what they are really in allegiance to (See: 1 John 2:3-4).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

and there it is, yet another who hates calvinism. At this point, its like we calvinists are the red headed stepkids of the family.

it took this forum to show me just how wide ranging people’s beliefs can be about the same topic. I now understand why there are so many different denominations all stemming from the one Bible.

So how do you interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:10? It basically says that the reason why those who perish are perishing is because.... THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH that they MIGHT BE SAVED. It does not say they are perishing because they were not elected. It also says that “they MIGHT be saved.” There is no “MIGHT be saved” in Unconditional Election or Calvinism.

Also, Jesus tells people basically to repent or perish in Luke 13:3. In Calvinism: The Elect are never truly in danger of ever perishing and the Non-Elect cannot repent.

Jonah 3:1-10 teaches that God told the Ninevites that they would be destroyed in 40 days, but the Ninevites repented (i.e. they sought forgiveness with God by crying out to Him, and they forsaked their evil ways). When God had seen they had forsaken their wickedness, that is when God turned back on bringing His Wrath upon that He was going to originally bring upon them. Just read the short chapter for yourself and it is clear. The Ninevites changed the situation and it was not God electing them to salvation all of a sudden.

So Calvinism is just one of the many problems I have with John MacArthur.

 

[zoidar]

It does not undo our responsibility in obeying Jesus as a part of eternal life. Remember, only 8 people made it onboard the ark. The rest of the world was considered wicked by God and He destroyed that world with a global flood. Peter says that the flood was an example to all who should live ungodly thereafter (See: 2 Peter 2:5-6). Jesus said narrow is the way that leads unto life and FEW be there that find it. So I don't think men like John MacArthur is preaching the narrow way by any means. He definitely is not living the narrow way by the possession of his excessive wealth.

I quess that will show on that day.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
— 1 Timothy 6:10

 

[zoidar]

... They’re men of God not gods themselves. Some people never question a word they say. That’s dangerous. Everyone can be wrong.

~bella

True! We are to be careful.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I quess that will show on that day.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
— 1 Timothy 6:10

It sounds like we agree, I sure hope so, brother.
We truly are living in the last days as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Many have a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof (i.e. they deny the power that God can help us to overcome any serious sin in our lives). They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
We can see John MacArthur is loving his pleasures in that he is accumulating his wealth here on this Earth, when he should be putting his riches in Heaven.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

So telling John MacArthur to remove the plank from his eye does not really matter if we are all Once Saved Always Saved. But I do not get that impression that all are going to make it because Jesus told certain believers who did wonderful works in his name to depart from Him because they also worked iniquity (or sin), too (See: Matthew 7:22-23 and compare with Matthew 7:26-27).

Also, Jesus said if we do not receive his words, those words will judge us on the last day (John 12:48).

Matthew 13:41-42 basically says that the Son of Man (Jesus) will send forth his angels and they will gather out of HIS Kingdom all things that offend, and who work iniquity (sin) and they will be cast into the furnace of fire (i.e. the Lake of Fire). So a believer can be in Christ's Kingdom now, but they can later be cast out into hell if they justify sin.

I can only imagine the horror of those who did not heed this passage.
How does John MacArthur interpret this passage?
I can only imagine he does not read such a passage plainly.

 

[zoidar]

It sounds like we agree, I sure hope so, brother.
We truly are living in the last days as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Many have a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof (i.e. they deny the power that God can help us to overcome any serious sin in our lives). They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
We can see John MacArthur is loving his pleasures in that he is accumulating his wealth here on this Earth, when he should be putting his riches in Heaven.

I agree, but it is also what we do with the money. Maybe it's unlikely, but just maybe MacArthur uses most of it for the kingdom of God.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I agree, but it is also what we do with the money. Maybe it's unlikely, but just maybe MacArthur uses most of it for the kingdom of God.

Googling MacArthur's networth says that it is 15 million plus.

So if he is worth 15 million in his assets like his house, money in the bank, etc. that means he is holding on to a great amount of wealth and riches instead of helping the poor with that money instead. Nobody needs to have 15 million in assets. That clearly is being rich as how we understand that word.

 

[zoidar]

Googling MacArthur's networth says that it is 15 million.

So if he is worth 15 million in his assets like his house, money in the bank, etc. that means he is holding on to a great amount of wealth and riches instead of helping the poor with that money instead. Nobody needs to have 15 million in assets. That clearly is being rich as how we understand that word.

15 mill!? That is crazy! I would be ashamed to blow that kind of money on my "own house".

 

[Bible Highlighter]

15 mill!? That is crazy! I would be ashamed to blow that kind of money on my "own house".

Well, we don't know if it is his house exactly. It could be a combination of assets. His house, money in the bank, possible other properties, jewelry, furniture, clothes, etc.; Anything he can sell or any money he possesses. The amount of assets subtracted from any liabilties like bills he has to pay = his networth.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Again, I would encourage people to read the article given in the OP.
It appears he owns other expensive homes and he possesses tons o' cash.

The Prosperous Lifestyle of America's Anti-Prosperity Gospel Preacher | The Roys Report

 

[zoidar]

Well, we don't know if it is his house exactly. It could be a combination of assets. His house, money in the bank, possible other properties, jewelry, furniture, clothes, etc.; Anything he can sell or any money he possesses. The amount of assets subtracted from any liabilties like bills he has to pay = his networth.

I came to think of an Indian guru who called himself Osho. He owned 96 limousines. So much for being a "spiritual" master. Luckly guys like him made me question New Age.

 

[durangodawood]

I came to think of an Indian guru who called himself Osho. He owned 96 limousines. So much for being a "spiritual" master. Luckly guys like him made me question New Age.

Where does one go to escape materialist excess? Not seeing a refuge from that in any major religion, nor in the smaller cults.

 

[zoidar]

Where does one go to escape materialist excess? Not seeing a refuge from that in any major religion, nor in the smaller cults.

That's a good question. I like to say Christianity is where to look, yet that is not always true.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Where does one go to escape materialist excess? Not seeing a refuge from that in any major religion, nor in the smaller cults.

If one were to follow the words of Jesus alone, then they would not be excessively rich or try to hide the fact that they are rich while condeming prosperity preachers. Granted, many today do not obey Jesus, but the Bible predicted that this would happen (See: 1 Timothy 6:3-4). Jesus said narrow is the way that lead unto life and FEW be there that find it. So the answer is in God's Holy Word. It's about you and God and His Word and not in what men say.

 

[bèlla]

I came to think of an Indian guru who called himself Osho. He owned 96 limousines. So much for being a "spiritual" master. Luckly guys like him made me question New Age.

Yeah, I know him. I never read the books but I'd chew on the messages from the cards online back in the day. Religion and gullibility is a horrible mix. It drains your wallet.

~bella

 

[bèlla]

Where does one go to escape materialist excess? Not seeing a refuge from that in any major religion, nor in the smaller cults.

I have no problem with someone making money honestly. But wealth requires commonsense and wisdom. And a lot of shrewdness. I don't believe in writing checks because I have the money. There must be accountability and fiscal soundness. I can't stomach the waste.

For the sake of my sanity and peace of mind it's better for me to create a foundation to fund the projects I want to establish for the betterment of others. I have to be at the helm. My convictions don't align with most organizations. Nor are they spending their own money. Skin in the game changes your outlook.

I'm not looking for donors. When you accept outside resources you open a can of worms. That's another level of accountability.

~bella