Last Night on Larry King
August 21st, 2007
(Posted by Nathan Busenitz)
In case you missed last night’s Larry King Live episode (in which John MacArthur participated as part of a panel discussion toward the end of the show), you can read the transcript here.
Below are a couple highlights:
* * * *
KING: You’re definitely a fundamentalist Christian.
MACARTHUR: Yes, in the positive sense of proclaiming the fundamental truths of the Scripture.
KING: Is there a danger in some aspects of fundamental Christianity?
MACARTHUR: No, I don’t think there’s any danger in it. I think there’s a danger in the prostitution of Christianity. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Jesus said to Peter, “Put away your sword.”
There’s nothing in Christianity that calls for any kind of dominant power, national power, government power, takeover, war, none at all. This is about a personal relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
KING: But so many of the fundamentalist Christians are what might be called political hawks, aren’t they?
MACARTHUR: They are. And that is not, in my judgment, a true representation of biblical Christianity.
* * * *
MACARTHUR: . . . the [political] power will never belong to me [or to] those who represent true biblical Christianity because the Kingdom advances one soul at a time through the belief in the Gospel in Jesus Christ. Anything [else] is a prostitution. Look, the New Testament says the powers that be are ordained of God. That was the word of God to people living under Roman government, under a Caesar. Don’t overthrow that power. That’s what God has put in place. We work within that to advance the Kingdom one person at a time.
KING: Barry?
[BARRY] LYNN: See, I would disagree with that. That is a literal belief. Many of us do not have a literal belief in the words of the — not God written and produced but man written and produced Holy Bible for Christians.
MACARTHUR: Well, there’s the huge divergence right there.
LYNN: That’s a huge difference. It is a huge divergence, but it’s one of the things that makes the Christian community and many of the other communities we’re talking about here very diverse and very different.
MACARTHUR: Barry, if you don’t believe the words of the Bible, then you can’t be legitimately called a Christian because that’s all the Christianity there is, [it] is what is revealed in the word of God, not the Christianity you can invent outside of the meaning of Scripture.
Wow! It brings me such joy to read MacArthur so boldly defending and declaring the Biblical truth. Thanks Nathan for posting this, as not living in the US I often miss out on these kinds of television appearances.
We should all be so bold as to stand for God in this way. Does He not say in His Word not to be ashamed of Him, study to show yourself approved? Thank you Dr MacArthur for showing us time and again a fine example of defending the faith.
What a wonderful thing that we live in a day that the church has a voice like that of John Macarthur. I have been learning from him for over 30 years. I used to order his cassette tapes when they were one dollar each! Because I was a homemaker I would listen to him for sometimes 6 hours a day while I did my work.
I am so grateful to the Lord that we live in a time when one of the greatest expositors in modern history is among us. I truly believe history will bear me out on that.
Anyone privileged to sit under that kind of teaching will not be easily fooled when it comes to truth.
Everytime that John is on Larry King, it seems that he quickly becomes the focus of attack by the other panelists either directly or by implication. It is wonderful to see him boldly standing for the Lord even when he is being attacked. The good thing about this is that he gets more time from Larry to talk because he has to defend what he has just said and he never lets the time pass without giving the Gospel. Praise God!
Hayden
PS Did anyone else notice that the other panelists get their titles “Rabbi”, “Dr.”, or “Rev” announced and when he comes to John it is “John MacArthur pastor of Grace Community Church” when he is also “Dr. MacArthur”? I know that Larry holds him in high esteem. I just observed that last night, and on previous occasions.
1 Peter 3:13-17
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
If I were a betting man, I would bet that John MacArthur has the above scripture in his heart every time he faces Larry King or anyone else, especially verse 15.
Our job is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of this:
2 Timothy 2:19
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Who knows, one day Larry King may come to Christ by something that John MacArthur has said.
I would also bet that if nobody ever calls John MacArthur “Dr.” again he would be just find just knowing that he is called a “child of God”.
Ps 84:10
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Thanks Dr. MacArthur for the example
.
Sorry, I meant “just fine”
Is there anyway that we can know ahead that Dr. Mcarthur is going to be on Larry King? I usually never listen to him unless I know that someone I need to hear will be on.
Awesome,
Not to down play the awesomeness of Dr. MacArthur’s boldness, but his PATIENCE. For sure God won’t put me on that show b/c I would go crazy!
I watched the show safe at home. Thanks for the courageous and accurate testimony Pastor John. You may never know in this lifetime how you inspire me (and probably many others) to preach the Word and stand for biblical Christianity. I’m 62 and a beginning pastor (Sept.). Thank you fo giving so much.
I probably won’t meet you till we all get Home. In Christ’s love, Jim
Echoing Victoria’s question. Can we get a schedule, Nate?
Nate,
I third the motion to know in advance when John MacArthur appears on such television shows or what not. I would have tuned in if I had known.
Praise God for always having His servants stand boldly upon His truth. As a college student aspiring to serve in the ministry, I am motivated and encouraged to stand firm regardless of anything.
Pastor John…thank you from the bottom of heart for all that you do. Remain steadfast in the Word. Finish the race.
Can we get a video of this on Youtube, Godtube, or anywhere else? Thanks.
I was able to see Pastor MacArthur, and I was edified in my spirit. I rpay that the Lord would bless him greatly for his faithfulness. And I pray that our heavenly Father would keep him from the evil one. For Satan must be angry from such a strong testimony, which glorified our Savior and His grace.
Keep up the good work Pastor John, and stay on the front lines, for the gates of hell will not prevail.
Every time I have the opportunity to hear Pastor John on the front lines, I learn much about the battle we are facing as Christians. For each one of us will have very similar conversations with others.
Maybe our conversations do not end up on Larry Kling Live, but our conversations with others who do not believe are just as important. After all, the world can be changed one life at a time with the gospel and prayer:
“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV)
I praise God for John’s example and teaching. I, too, have been touched by him for many years. I was a member of his church while I was a student at Talbot Seminary. He has such a heart for seminarians and pastors…because he has such a heart for our Lord and the preaching of His Word!
Maranatha!
Victoria, Mike, and Ivan…
Thanks for asking about the schedule. Due to the journalistic nature of LKL, the show often has to make scheduling changes last minute (depending on the latest news stories). As a result, John is often not invited to the show until the day of (or just a day or two before) — and sometimes his appearance has to be changed or cancelled last minute. As you might imagine, this makes sending out a schedule difficult.
But … good news. John did an interview with Christiane Amanpour which is scheduled to be part of her show on Thursday, August 23 (which airs at 9PM). At the moment, that’s the only CNN appearance he currently has scheduled.
Anyway, hope that helps. Thanks for all of your encouraging comments.
NB
According to an ad I saw on CNN this AM, Larry King’s program with John MacArthur will be re-broadcast tonight — Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 at 9PM EST.
I too, praise God for giving us a man like John MacArthur in these perilous times. As my former pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say, “It’s getting dark, gloriously dark. Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
My information about the re-broadcast last night was obviously incorrect. Perhaps the program will be re-broadcast at the end of the Amanpour series, “God’s Warriors” or quite possibly, over the week-end. My apologies to all.
From what I understand by the rumors flying around here at GTY, Larry is going to do a follow-up show sometime in the future with all the original guests, including John. Nathan, being in the some-what know, should find out more details for us and let us know in advance.
Fred
John said: There’s nothing in Christianity that calls for any kind of dominant power, national power, government power, takeover, war, none at all. This is about a personal relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ…the [political] power will never belong to me [or to] those who represent true biblical Christianity because the Kingdom advances one soul at a time through the belief in the Gospel in Jesus Christ.
Amen! I am surprised to hear such a thing from a Premillennialist, but amen! Shhh! Don’t tell Dr. MacArthur that he is a closet non-millennialist
I intended to write how blesed and encouraged I was to hear Pastor Johm both state and defend the gospel in LK, but as usual I got too busy. Later in the day I told my wife about the the post. She was overwhlemed with joy and praised God for the response of Pastor John. Very cool! We are missionaries in Kenya so our news is limited, but this was a a big encouragment.
Nathan,
I don’t think JM sounds like a non-millianialist at all. Premills believe God will bring in the kingdom not man. It’s the postmills that tend to believe man can bring in the kingdom through political power and influence. Though Jerry Falwell was premill, he seemed some what inconsistent. Early DISP like Darby,Scofield, and Chafer seemed to think that political involvement was pointless because the Church is a heavenly kingdom not an earthly one like Israel. They put more emphasis on separation from the world and calling out sinners to believe in Christ, than reforming this world that is blinded by Satanic darkness.
This isn’t contributing to the eschatalogical discussion, but is there a schedule letting us know when John M. will be on Larry King? It’s unfortunate that CNN doesn’t advertise his interviews with the likes of Paris Hilton and others.
I’d love to watch him in action and not just read the transcripts!
This might have been asked before, is there a way to get the full video files of his appearances on Larry King?
Thanks.
in Christ