Did he deserve this?
A progressive LGBTQ publication has criticized a prominent Evangelical figure in the United States, labeling him as an “old white hate pastor” for his controversial remarks regarding Martin Luther King Jr.’s religious beliefs. John MacArthur, a long-serving pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, stirred controversy when he stated during a Q-and-A session that King was not a Christian but rather a “non-believer” with an “immoral” life.
MacArthur’s comments, made in February, were in response to a question about his opinion on certain Evangelical organizations, including The Gospel Coalition and Together for the Gospel. He criticized The Gospel Coalition for honoring King’s legacy, stating that King misrepresented Christian principles and the Gospel.
In defense of King’s Christianity, the LGBTQ publication highlighted King’s ministry work and his academic credentials, including a Ph.D. in systematic theology. They argued that King is widely recognized as a Christian and a moral civil rights leader.
The publication also accused MacArthur of making racist and anti-LGBT statements throughout his career, citing a sermon from 2001 in which he linked Christianity to slavery and denied equal social rights based on religious beliefs.
Referring to MacArthur and other pastors who hold similar views as “old, white, hate pastors,” the publication linked to sources criticizing conservative Christian figures and organizations. This included references to People For the American Way, an advocacy group founded to counter the influence of Evangelical political organizations.
In previous articles, the publication acknowledged King’s complex theological views, including his doubts about certain Christian doctrines such as the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Jesus. However, they also noted that interpretations of King’s theological beliefs vary among scholars.
Overall, the controversy surrounding MacArthur’s comments reflects broader debates within both the Evangelical community and society at large regarding issues of race, religion, and LGBTQ rights.