Pastor John MacArthur battling pneumonia: scandals and controversies
14 july 2025 в 19:13
Pastor John F. MacArthur from Los Angeles has been battling pneumonia since July 2025, and with recent news about his health condition, many people are curious to learn about his past and scandals. One of the most well-known incidents in preacher MacArthur’s career was his response to COVID and alleged comments about domestic violence.
Below you will learn about MacArthur’s past scandals.
MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church and the founder of the Christian television and radio educational program Grace to You. He has been called one of the most influential pastors among Christians.
In 2022, MacArthur was accused of previously excluding a woman from the church who had left her abusive husband. The alleged incident occurred in 2002, and the woman reportedly told elders and pastors in MacArthur’s church about the violence of her then-husband, hoping for their help. However, reportedly, MacArthur ordered his congregation at the time to treat the woman as an «unbeliever».
«This is what the Lord wants», - MacArthur allegedly told his congregation in 2002, addressing the woman, according to The Roys Report. «He wants discipline… to have her excluded from the church, publicly shamed, and cut off from fellowship».
MacArthur was involved in a legal dispute with the Los Angeles County, which sued the pastor for downplaying the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. «There is no pandemic», - MacArthur said during the global crisis, according to The Los Angeles Times. He also informed his congregation that he and his wife, Patricia MacArthur, had contracted COVID-19.
MacArthur refused to close the church and services during the pandemic, contradicting the practice of social distancing at the time. When Los Angeles County sued him, the theologian filed a counterclaim for violation of religious freedom. The pastor and Los Angeles County reached an out-of-court settlement, with each paying him $ 400,000.
Officials from Los Angeles County released a public statement regarding the lawsuits. It stated: «After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that some public safety measures cannot be applied to places of worship, resolving this dispute was a responsible and appropriate decision. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County has been committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents. We are grateful to the religious organizations in the county for their ongoing partnership in ensuring the safety and protection of their congregants and the entire community from COVID-19».
By July 2025, MacArthur is in the hospital, battling a severe case of pneumonia. Tom Patton, associate pastor of Grace Community Church in San Valley, California, announced MacArthur’s hospitalization to his congregation that month.
«This week Pastor John fell ill with pneumonia», - Patton said, adding, «He has been hospitalized, and he may be in the presence of the Lord soon».
Before battling pneumonia, MacArthur had experienced numerous health issues over the years. In 2023, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He underwent a procedure to have stents placed in his heart. Also that year, he had a catheter inserted to treat this condition.
Throughout 2024, MacArthur underwent several additional surgeries, including aortic replacement and lung surgery to address fluid buildup due to the flu. In early 2025, MacArthur was hospitalized for two weeks due to kidney, lung, and heart problems
Below you will learn about MacArthur’s past scandals.
MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church and the founder of the Christian television and radio educational program Grace to You. He has been called one of the most influential pastors among Christians.
In 2022, MacArthur was accused of previously excluding a woman from the church who had left her abusive husband. The alleged incident occurred in 2002, and the woman reportedly told elders and pastors in MacArthur’s church about the violence of her then-husband, hoping for their help. However, reportedly, MacArthur ordered his congregation at the time to treat the woman as an «unbeliever».
«This is what the Lord wants», - MacArthur allegedly told his congregation in 2002, addressing the woman, according to The Roys Report. «He wants discipline… to have her excluded from the church, publicly shamed, and cut off from fellowship».
MacArthur was involved in a legal dispute with the Los Angeles County, which sued the pastor for downplaying the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. «There is no pandemic», - MacArthur said during the global crisis, according to The Los Angeles Times. He also informed his congregation that he and his wife, Patricia MacArthur, had contracted COVID-19.
MacArthur refused to close the church and services during the pandemic, contradicting the practice of social distancing at the time. When Los Angeles County sued him, the theologian filed a counterclaim for violation of religious freedom. The pastor and Los Angeles County reached an out-of-court settlement, with each paying him $ 400,000.
Officials from Los Angeles County released a public statement regarding the lawsuits. It stated: «After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that some public safety measures cannot be applied to places of worship, resolving this dispute was a responsible and appropriate decision. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County has been committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents. We are grateful to the religious organizations in the county for their ongoing partnership in ensuring the safety and protection of their congregants and the entire community from COVID-19».
By July 2025, MacArthur is in the hospital, battling a severe case of pneumonia. Tom Patton, associate pastor of Grace Community Church in San Valley, California, announced MacArthur’s hospitalization to his congregation that month.
«This week Pastor John fell ill with pneumonia», - Patton said, adding, «He has been hospitalized, and he may be in the presence of the Lord soon».
Before battling pneumonia, MacArthur had experienced numerous health issues over the years. In 2023, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He underwent a procedure to have stents placed in his heart. Also that year, he had a catheter inserted to treat this condition.
Throughout 2024, MacArthur underwent several additional surgeries, including aortic replacement and lung surgery to address fluid buildup due to the flu. In early 2025, MacArthur was hospitalized for two weeks due to kidney, lung, and heart problems
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