Why does this teaching matter?
MacArthur distinguishes between the church's primary calling (gospel proclamation) and secondary social effects. While Christians should be salt and light, the Great Commission is to make disciples — not to legislate morality or reform political systems. Societies are changed one converted heart at a time, not through institutional reform without regeneration.
What did John MacArthur teach?
"The church's mission is not to reform society, but to preach the gospel."
Speaker: John MacArthur
Source: Why Government Can't Save You (2000)
What does Scripture confirm?
1 Corinthians 1:17
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect."
— NKJV
Paul identifies his primary commission: gospel preaching. Not social programs, not political activism, not cultural reform — the gospel. Everything else flows from transformed hearts.
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
— NKJV
The gospel — not legislation, education, or social reform — is 'the power of God to salvation.' Only the gospel has the power to truly transform individuals and, through them, society.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."
— NKJV
The Great Commission is to make disciples and teach obedience to Christ — not to reform governments or restructure societies. The mission is fundamentally spiritual, with social transformation as a fruit, not the root.