What We Can Learn from the MacArthur/Beth Moore Debacle
Over this past week, a YouTube recording surfaced of John MacArthur sitting on a panel playing word association with other so-called Christian leaders. When Beth Moore’s name was thrown out, MacArthur replied, “Go home.” Other guests went on to call her a narcissist and the panel responded with a slew of reactions, both with reasons why they didn’t support her stance on Biblical issues, to down-right name-calling. 
The recording unleashed a fire storm on social media and MacArthur is facing a huge backlash. I’ve observed the responses with heartsick sadness and frustration.
MacArthur, regardless of his personal beliefs, did not filter his responses through Christ-like love. Jesus said the world will know us by our love. We can score big numbers in Bible Trivia but unless we’re living out the love and compassion Jesus showed, all that knowledge is nothing more than noise. It does nothing.
Beth Moore, to her credit, has responded with nothing but grace. Her many followers, however, are incensed and have flooded Twitter with angry barbs to anyone who dares defend him. The refrain of “We are woman. We will not be silenced. Hear us rise up in the church and take our rightful place” is being thrown around with frightening speed.
This may be an unpopular sentiment, but as a woman, I have a voice too and believe this with all my heart: the only One we need to put on a pedestal is Jesus.
As believers, our agenda should not be women’s rights within the church, “how dare someone say that about me” (Jesus said that would happen, after all), or any of the other issues we get sidetracked about when our pride takes a hit. Our focus should be Jesus and Him crucified.
And all this upheaval between MacArthur and Moore is just another reminder why we should never elevate the teachings of humans over the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal the deep mysteries of God’s heart to our minds. Men, and women, are fallible. We are sinners. We let each other down. We have no power within ourselves to redeem or transform. That’s why we need a Savior. We can learn from each other but we are not a replacement for God’s Word in each other’s lives.
Jesus said, “Follow me.” Not John MacArthur. Not Beth Moore. Not Furtick, or Stanley, or Lucado or any any other human.
Just Jesus.
He never changes. He is the Truth, the Way and the Life. Why would we ever follow anyone else?
Comments 8
Excellent
Beth lost my favor when she announced she didn’t support electing Trump as Pres. That meant we would be left with Hillary and ongoing destruction of our country. No sense there, for sure!!
Well said my friend. Mankind’s logic and opinions are no substitute for the truth of God.. Let everything you do or say be for God’s glory and out of love.
Amen and amen!
I agree, we should depend on Jesus not Man or Woman to follow. Well said Tara.
Well put, my friend. Well put. Jesus’ most loyal and closest followers were women; why the men of modern times try to ignore and downplay that still baffles me; but we should always follow with “What would Jesus do”, especially when we have a public persona. The world tends to judge Christianity by our disagreements and not by the Word of God. We cannot draw all men unto Him with this type of behavior.
Amen to it all! I agree!
Well said, Tara!
Jesus was a true gentleman, but He flip tables. Those men who trashed Beth Moore cannot be called gentlemen. They were rude and dismissive about the power and influence of women leaders, and they forget that there are many women who’ve been hurt by men, and simply will not listen to a man’s preaching.
I love your point about pedestals, you’re spot on!