Tag Archives: Pastor John MacArthur

Parables by John MacArthur – An Excellent Read and Resource

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Pastor John MacArthur’s latest book is Parables – The Mysteries of God’s Kingdom Revealed Through The Stories Jesus Told. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book because of the solid Bible teaching it contains.

Before diving into the parables, Pastor MacArthur explains, from Matthew 13, why Jesus started teaching in parables.  He had specific truths He was trying to convey to those who had the ears to hear. It wasn’t to make it easy for the common people to understand what He was teaching. Instead, the symbolism used in the parables was to hide the truth from those who had no desire to know what Christ was saying.

Pastor MacArthur brings clarity and helps the reader understand the truths contained in these stories. Unlike allegories, not everything in a parable has significance, but there is a profound truth to be understood. In this book a parable is defined as, “an ingenious simple word picture illuminating a profound spiritual lesson.”

This book covers select parables in ten chapters, including the parables of the soils/seed, the good Samaritan, and the rich man and Lazarus. Some of the parables are only a sentence or two long, but there’s a meaning that Christ wanted His followers to understand.

In this day and age, it is important for Christians to be wise and discerning and know when a pastor or teacher is accurately teaching God’s Word. This book will help you to be equipped as you study God’s Word for yourself. One of the benefits to the reader is that you will be able to take what you’ve learned and apply it as you study the Bible and read Jesus’ parables and teachings for yourself.

I greatly appreciate Pastor John MacArthur’s high view of God and Scripture. He is thorough in his study and exposition of the Bible. He is insightful and courageous as he speaks the truth about what’s happening in our culture and in today’s churches.

I highly recommend Parables by Pastor John MacArthur. This book is a great resource for anyone who loves to read and study God’s Word and for those who are new to studying the Bible. Whether you are a new Christian or mature, you’ll want to read this book.

I would like to thank BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read Parables by John MacArthur in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Strange Fire – A Hard Read, But Worthwhile

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Previously I’ve read books by Pastor John MacArthur and frequently listen to his sermons and conference messages.  Pastor MacArthur has a passion for the Word of God and his teaching is theologically sound.  That’s why I wanted to read his newest book, Strange Fire, to learn more about the charismatic movement.

I found Strange Fire very challenging to get through it.  This book includes a lot of details about the background of the charismatic movement founders in the early 1900’s and goes through present day.  Scripture is interspersed throughout the book and is used as a plumb line to measure the actions, words and deeds of prominent charismatic leaders to see if they are biblically sound.

As a Christian, I was appalled at the teaching, claims and lives of prominent charismatic leaders.  It was painful to learn that instead of being run out of town these immoral charlatans, frauds and apostates were applauded, embraced and heralded as healers and prophets.  It’s frightening and tragic to think of how many people have been deceived and taken in by this false gospel that dishonors God.

It was refreshing in the last section of the book to see what is the true work of the Holy Spirit is in the world and the life of Christians.  This book helped me to understand clearly the importance of sola Scriptura and the importance of using the Bible to evaluate those who claim to be healers, prophets or speaking in tongues.  Does what they say and do line up with Scripture?

All in all this was a very painful book to read.  Even so, I would recommend this book to Christians so they can better understand a movement that calls itself Christian, but may not line up with the Word of God.

I would also recommend that readers go to the Strange Fire Conference website and listen to or download the messages from the 2013 conference.

I would like to thank Booksneeze for providing me with a free copy of Strange Fire in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.