Response To John MacArthur - Should This Former Calvinist Keep Her Thoughts To Herself?

Alana Lagares is a former Calvinist who has shared on her YouTube channel about why she left Calvinism. About a month ago John MacArthur made reference to one of her videos and claimed that she, and presumably others like her, should keep her thoughts and doubts about Calvinism to herself.

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[luisrafaelayala]

Put doctrine into the Bible! Really? Instead of taking doctrine from the Bible! He just revealed what Calvinism does.🧐

[minorsingingairhead]

0:21 He basically admitted that for 50 years he practiced eisegeses. He said he "put doctrine into that text and see if it survives". That is the problem right there. You are not supposed to do that.
Thanks for calling him out. I would trade 50 years of learning for a humble spirit and open mind any time.

[ravissary]

That "whistful girl" is a multiple mother, college educated, at LEAST in her mid 30s, who has followed MacArthurs teaching for 2 decades before eventually changing her mind.

Not only grossly inaccurate and dismissive, but deceptively disrespectful.

[larrybedouin]

I have been a bible student for over 50 years too, but I have never been a Calvinist.

[michellelewis]

I was a John MacArthur fan when I was a new believer but have moved away from his ministry as I grow in the faith. I am also a recovering Calvinist. I have lost a bit of respect for him over the years for comments such as this. It disheartens me that both he and his conversation partner so casually dismissed this woman's thoughts with no regard for her as a human being or sister in Christ. The condescension and heartlessness was stark. Thank you for your measured and biblical response to this; and I have increased respect for Alana L in the way she has handled this as well. Blessings to you.

[UniteAgainstEvil]

"....for 50 years, has put doctrine into the text to test if it survives..." Clearly isogesis...

[johndisalvo]

MacArthur has 50+ years of heresy under his belt!!!! Who does she think she is???? What a “Karen”!

[jay]

But… God predestined Alana to say that so what’s his problem😂😂😂

[timothybrooks]

2000 years of tradition> 50 years of McArthur studying the Bible

[eugenelombard]

Within my own family, I am unable to discuss or point out anything that I might disagree with. Their aggressive response always turns into a shouting match. This makes me think there is something very sinister about Calvinism.

[snopure]

Why did John MacArthur feel the need to bring this up anyway? It's not uncommon for people to change their philosophies, so it's strange that he singled out one so-called "sophomoric... wistful girl." His rush to tooting his own horn sounds defensive, as well as the ad hominin attack. It's like he's been challenged to a debate and ran out of logical arguments before even approaching the podium, so he resorted to showing his creds and (albeit mellow) name-calling. This is not the response at all that I would expect from a shepherd who has paid attention to biblical instruction for 50 years, but I guess that's part of the problem; at some point he figured he had reached some type of threshold and decided he was no longer a student of the Word and that there's nothing else for him to learn or be corrected on. It's very sad and concerning, and even more so that a lot of people would agree with this characterization and have no problem with it. He is basically the pope of Calvinism.

[gmandofgod]

Based on other comments he has made, I think his comment is a good representation of his character. Great video!!

[gmandofgod]

Girl?? She looks like grown woman to me.

[m]

It’s not just JMac. The person he is with is as culpable. The smug, smiling headshake affirming everything JMac says epitomizing everything I have come to understand about Calvinism. Arrogant and egotistical.

[sarahboudreault]

Funny how he said he put doctrine into the text, that’s exactly what Calvinists do. He’s obviously been reading scripture through Calvinist lenses. I know that’s not what this video is about but it stood out to me.

[BillyMenno]

Spot on! Your connection to the Pharisees response in John 7 was perfect.

Unfortunately many believers would agree with the Pharisees, and just outsource their thinking to the intelligent, aged and learned.

Our church had a segment of people who listened to JMac and RC Sproul, who ultimately ended up leaving our fellowship. In any theological disagreement, our pastor didn't stand a chance. Obviously there were areas where our pastor was incorrect, but even IF he understood the scripture correctly, the feeling was; do we really believe this country pastor is going to understand the scripture better than these "scholars"?

[mesky]

Thank you for the video. It is that very attitude, that we should not question our experienced Bible teachers and pastors that kept me from doing my own work of studying the Word and discovering that the Bible does not teach Calvinism. I am not elevating myself to the level of Dr. MacArthur, but I did attend Bible college (where I was taught Calvinism) and was given some skills to study the Bible for what it says.After venturing out of the echo chamber, and realizing that Calvinists do not own the market on a "high view of Scripture" or acknowledging God's sovereignty, I am convinced from what the Bible teaches that Calvinism is not scriptural.

[TheMaskedBaptist]

Thank you, Jordan, for your kind, honest and sincere thoughts of this egregious event. Alana L is a kind, sweet, smart, thoughtful believer-in-Christ, and John probably had no notion he also slighted Christ at the time. I'm sure he'd tell me to be quiet, too. It doesn't look good on him.

[williammarinelli]

"Put doctrine into the text and see if it survives"
1. Preferred survival test. See if already personally settled doctrine actually agrees with text. If so, cool. This agreement is not necessary. Already settled doctrine survival is necessary, however.
2. Reword Scripture to enhance doctrinal survival odds. Ex: jacob have I loved and esau have I hated, in other words, jacob have I elected to be saved but esau have I predestined to be damned.
3. Bifurcate Scripture words into man made subcategories: general vs effectual call, decretal will vs prescriptive will, common vs sovereign grace, etc. This way you can always create bucket to put your doctrine so that it can survive.
4. Appeal to mystery when text blatantly and clearly contradicts doctrine. Ex: Spurgeon's 2 parallel lines that meet in eternity.
5. Outsource the doctrinal survival test to a kahuna that has been making his doctrine survive (somehow) for 50 years.

[wingslevel]

JM also also said you can be saved after taking the mark.