Conservative evangelicalism over the past forty-plus years has not, sadly, been known for its kindness—at least not to its own “tribe.” Lots of infighting, name calling, and the casting of aspersions on those with whom we disagree has characterised much of our behaviour. That is both a shame and shameful.

Yes, it is right to call out heresy (when it is actually heresy) to warn fellow believers of departure from the gospel. Sometimes, like the apostle Paul did to Peter, fellow Christians must be confronted and critiqued for unbiblical behaviour and counsel (see Galatians 2:11–14).

Nevertheless, too often, conservative evangelicals have taken shots at one another over matters that are not essential and which, in fact, have been matters of legitimate disagreement for the entire church age. Further, rather than exercising gracious disagreement, too many church leaders have gone down the ugly path of adhominins, attacking the person rather than respectfully disagreeing. Social media has exasperated the problem. Guys, sitting in their basement with a camera and a microphone, lob polemical grenades at fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and the shrapnel of suspicion flies far and wide. It seems that some have misunderstood Jesus’ words and have misread them as “people will know you are my disciples by your vitriol” (see John 13:35). May God help us. In fact, I think last Saturday (23 August 2025) he did.

John MacArthur died on 14 July 2025. This past Saturday, the church he pastored (Grace Community Church) had a special memorial service. One thing that particularly stood out to me was some of those who were asked to participate—men with whom MacArthur disagreed over some important areas. I viewed their participation as a demonstration of kindness by John MacArthur and, like Abel of old, though MacArthur is dead, yet he spoke. I hope people will listen.

I am indebted to John MacArthur for pointing me to the essential of expository preaching. As a 23-year-old-fresh-out-of-Bible-college graduate, I listened to him expound Psalm 19 to a group of pastors exhorting us to simply preach the word. I remember thinking, “I may not be able to do it as well as he just did, but I can be faithful to simply expound the Bible verse by verse.” It changed my perspective and launched me on a trajectory on which I have sought to remain for the past forty years. I have appreciated several of his books, including his commentaries.

I thank God for his life and ministry, even though I have at times strongly disagreed with some of his teaching and sometimes with his tone.

In my view, MacArthur was sometimes too quick to publicly criticise fellow evangelicals. When he and his elders issued a paper implying that those who went along with the government’s mandate to restrict churches from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic were unfaithful pastors, I took issue with this. I had a long back-and-forth with one of their elders, a friend of mine. I think the criticism was unwise and unfair. Though I agreed with him concerning the cessation of the revelatory gifts of the Spirit, I wish he had exercised more restraint in his often very broad criticisms. And sometimes he came across harsh towards those with whom he disagreed, even though the brothers—and sometimes sisters—were equally faithful to the gospel. I say all this not to disabuse MacArthur of the respect he rightly earned but to highlight the contrast with the tone of his memorial service—a service that I imagine he had a hand in planning.

I was happily surprised—a bit shocked, in fact—by at least three of those who participated. In each case, they hold views with which MacArthur disagreed (and probably still does!).

Alistair Begg landed himself in the boiling waters of the Internet when he gave (in my view) bad yet well-intentioned counsel about attending a gay wedding. John MacArthur publicly disagreed with Begg. And though he did so principally while affirming his friendship and respect for Begg, some dishonestly twisted MacArthur’s words attempting to vilify Begg. Perhaps this was a reason that Begg was asked to pray at MacArthur’s memorial service. He was manifesting Christlike kindness.

When I became aware of this, I said to Jill, “This is most likely MacArthur’s way of saying, ‘Alistair Begg is my friend. He is a good man. He has a faithful ministry. Don’t judge his forty-five years of faithful ministry by one failure.’” Well done, John. I pray people will learn and listen to this act of kindness.

John Piper also spoke at the service. Piper believes the revelatory gifts of the Spirit—including tongues—remain active in our day. MacArthur (rightly!) disagreed. But this did not lessen his respect for Piper, nor did it ruin his friendship. Reading some of the comments on the YouTube feed (I really should not do that!), it was clear that some were horrified at Piper’s participation. I wasn’t. I was blessed. And I was reminded of the need to be kind to those with whom I disagree. In a cancerous, cancel-culture world, what a joy to see gospel love displayed at the memorial service of a man who refused to compromise his convictions and who also refused to jettison compassion.

Finally, Sinclair Ferguson the beloved Scottish veteran Presbyterian pastor brought the final message (and preached the following morning at Grace Community Church). What struck me about his prominent presence is that he is a paedobaptist. He baptises infants with as much conviction as MacArthur refused to. The rightful objects of baptism is an important issue. And yet it is no barrier to either Christian fellowship or to friendship. Again, I think MacArthur was saying to those watching, “Hold your convictions but do so charitably. Don’t write someone off as ‘unfaithful’ over a matter of secondary importance. Be kind to one another.”

I have no doubt that, when John MacArthur entered the presence of the Lord, he heard, “Well done my good and faithful servant. You have finished well.” And for those paying attention to his memorial service, we saw that he also finished kind.

Doug