Thanksgiving is far more than just a holiday. For the believer, it is a way of life (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In fact, Paul told the church in Rome that thankfulness to God represents a fundamental distinction between the redeemed and the unregenerate. Romans 1:21 says of unbelievers, “For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened” (emphasis added). That kind of willful ingratitude, futility, and folly is what characterizes contemporary society.
In this day of depravity and deception, the need to proclaim the truth is more urgent than ever. Not only has our culture rejected basic truths revealed in creation; it denies the reality of truth itself. The sages of this postmodern age promote arbitrary ideas of “my truth” and “your truth,” while openly deriding any notion of the truth.
Believers, by contrast, must stand firm in the truth, bringing every philosophy, worldview, and thought captive to the obedience of the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). In that spirit, we have launched the John MacArthur Publishing Group (JMPG) to serve as a clarion voice for the truth in this world of lies. The mission of the publishing group is to produce biblical resources that bring the transforming truth of God’s Word to the lives of His people (Romans 12:2).
You are already aware of some of the resources being developed by JMPG. The War on Children will be released at Shepherds Conference in March 2024. Commentaries on Zechariah and Jonah & Nahum, as part of the MacArthur Old Testament Commentary series, will also be available in the coming months. Additionally, the translation notes from the Legacy Standard Bible are already online (tyndale.tms.edu). Out of a desire to provide resources for the global church (Matthew 28:18–20), JMPG has partnered with The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) to produce these volumes in other languages. For example, the Zechariah commentary is currently being translated into French. Soon, the translation of Jonah & Nahum along with The War on Children will begin into French and into other languages as well.
The John MacArthur Publishing Group will also unify the publishing efforts of Grace to You, The Master’s University & Seminary, and Grace Community Church, as our ministries come together to produce books, Sunday School materials, Christian education curricula, multimedia resources, and theological works. Despite the corrupt culture around us, God continues to do amazing things, far more abundantly than we could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We have so much for which to be thankful, beginning with the truth of God’s grace towards us through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). What a joy it is to see our church on the frontlines of gospel ministry. JMPG is yet another expression of the opportunity for impact that God has entrusted to us. Whether through the pulpit or the printed page, we must be faithful to proclaim the truth of His Word to a world in need.
To that end, I invite you to partner with us in this new initiative. May the Lord bless you and your family as you celebrate the truth about Christ and give Him thanks this holiday season.
Love in the Truth,
John and Patricia