Who Can We Trust? Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth! #1

            In a world of easy believism and the ability to get your message out to millions with just the click of a mouse there is a slew of theological information at our fingertips. One quick google search and you can get commentary and scripture interpretation from Billy Graham to Benny Hinn and everything in between. With so many choices and the deceitfulness of our own hearts we're apt to listen to whomever we "like" or whomever our friends listen to or whatever makes us feel good. In light of this reality let us be diligent in determining who we let speak into our life! Every heretic speaks some truth sometimes or no one would listen. My goal over the next few months is to do two blogs a week, both critiquing prominent evangelicals in our day, one on someone who is trustworthy, someone who rightly divides the Word, someone who doesn't twist the scriptures, and the other on someone who is untrustworthy, possibly deceived, and even possibly an apostate, who for filthy lucre, distorts the Gospel. Let me say up front that there may be some of these critiques that you absolutely agree with and some you may vehemently reject and at times you may think that I'm being judgmental, harsh, or you may even think I'm crazy but I challenge you to research the Word and the person and then decide. I will praise some of these men and I will reject others, it's not personal but as a Pastor with a Pastor's heart I feel compelled to protect the flock from wolves and to lead the flock to spiritual food that will equip them for this life and the next and that is the sole intent behind these blog entries! Lets get started!

                         Let's start off on the positive, let's start with someone we CAN trust........

                                                               Dr.  John MacArthur Jr.

               There are two men that have been pivotal in leading me into the depths of truth contained in God's Word and John MacArthur is one of them. (Dr. James White is the other and we'll cover him in the next positive!) John MacArthur has served as Pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969 after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary. For nearly fifty years Dr. John MacArthur has devoted himself to verse-by-verse exposition of the Word of God from the pulpit of Grace Community Church as well as on television, radio, internet, in publication, and conferences around the globe. He's the founder of Grace to You Media Ministries and the President of The Master's University & Seminary. Please understand that accolades, degrees, and popularity do not equate truthfulness, integrity, and scriptural purity but I just wanted you to see the longevity of one man consistently preaching the Word in it's context as it was meant for the reader in it's day. Going verse-by-verse Dr. MacArthur couldn't avoid troubling scriptures, hard doctrines, and things that make us uncomfortable. This man has been faithful in presenting the truth of God's Word!

                He published his first book in 1988 "The Gospel According to Jesus" with 400 more books, study guides, and commentaries also published through the years. "Strange Fire" is one of my favorites! In 2015 the "MacArthur New Testament Commentary" was completed with thirty-three volumes as Dr. MacArthur goes verse-by-verse in detail throughout the entire New Testament.

                Dr. MacArthur teaches sound biblical doctrine with proper hermeneutics to deliver sound exegesis of the text of scripture. From Reformed theology to a literal reign of Christ in the millennium Dr. MacArthur, in my opinion, is one of the greatest expositor's of our day!

                               Go check out sermons/lectures from Dr. John at www.gty.org!