Iain Murray is one of my favorite authors and easily the greatest living biographer, in my view. His biographical works on D.M. Lloyd-Jones [2 volumes], Arthur W. Pink, John Murray, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and others, along with his other writings on matters pertaining to Church history are outstanding and among my favorite books. In view of all that, I am very excited that Iain Murray has written a biography of John MacArthur that is to be released in the US later this month. The book is titled, John MacArthur: Servant of the Word and Flock and is published by Banner of Truth. The Banner website has the following information about this forthcoming work:

Through more than forty years, John MacArthur has opened and taught the Word of God in one local congregation, Grace Community Church, Los Angeles. Consequences have followed which no one anticipated, and which the preacher attributes to “the sovereign hand of God”. A people united to Christ, and to their pastor, became a channel for blessing across the earth. It has been a ministry marked by characteristics that re-appear in every spiritual advance – not concern for “relevance”; not special attractions for young or old, male or female; but love for God and dependence on his Word and promises. MacArthur has proved, without ever intending to do so, that true preaching of the Word of God is international, “because if you teach the Bible it transcends every border, every language, every culture. It is as relevant today, and will be tomorrow, as in all the years since God put it down.” That is why his sermons are heard or read in more than two hundred countries around the world today.

But this is also a human story, including the shaping of his youth, the strength of marriage and family, the refining influence of trials and controversies, and the building of a man whose staff have never known to be angry. There are friends who, for all their love of his ministry, say his life is his best sermon.

“When I started in ministry, I committed myself to expository preaching, just explaining the Bible, because I knew that there was nothing I could say that was anywhere near as important as what God had to say. The real goal of ministry has always been to keep my own opinions out of it as much as possible. I never want to be guilty of giving people the illusion that they have heard from God when in fact they have only heard from me. When I step into the pulpit, the expectation is that I’m a messenger of God. I speak on His behalf, not my own.” — Dr. John MacArthur

I am very much looking forward to this biography. Given what I know of Iain Murray, it will be a topnotch work and must read.

If you have never read anything by Iain Murray, I suggest you pick up one of the titles mentioned above. You will be greatly blessed.