Shepherd’s Conference is the premier event of the ministry and the legacy of John MacArthur. And while the conference brought on four woke headliners in 2026, it also had Paul Washer. At ShepCon, Paul Washer would share his conversation with John MacArthur during the event in which MacArthur could not attend due to health.
His last year at the Shepherds Conference, I was to see him for a few minutes out to his house. And I went there and was praying, ‘Lord, what should I do? He’s getting close to glory.’ And [I] did something that men do not often do to men like him, but should [do] all the time. [I] walked in and [I] said, ‘Dr. MacArthur, is it well with your soul? Are you reading the Word? Talk to me about your prayer life. How is your communion with Christ?’
And he had almost a shocked look on his face. Then he smiled as though [to say], ‘I am so glad you asked.’ [He said,] ‘I’m reading here, I’m praying here, I’m trusting here.’ [I said,] ‘Yeah, but how’s your heart? Do you feel as though you’re encouraged in the Holy Spirit?’ [He said,] ‘Yes, I do.
‘Did you see a relationship between men—one far greater than the other, but nonetheless a relationship between brothers?
Mike Abendroth of No Crompromise Radio, who has just over 300 subs on his own YouTube channel but is a content creator for American Gospel TV’s streaming service, stating “Give Christians the gospel on their death beds, not law.” His post featured a 28 second cut of the broader context transcribed above.
No Compromise Radio, hosted by Pastor Mike Abendroth (with co-host Steve Cooley) is a podcast and video series focused on proclaiming Jesus Christ, His gospel, and biblical truth without compromise, often emphasizing Reformed doctrines like the law-gospel distinction and monergistic sanctification. The show has a significant partnership with AGTV, where it is featured as a dedicated channel or section.
Yet it is precisely his emphasis on law/gospel distinction that has him offended by Paul Washer’s encouragement to MacArthur, if indeed it is not a beef with Paul Washer (which would explain the abbreviated context).
Nevertheless, Paul Washer said and did nothing wrong, let alone controversial. He did not conflate law and gospel. He asked a dying brother in Christ, “Is it well with your soul?” That is shepherding a shepherd and Christians should want this level of pastoral diligence on their deathbeds.
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2 Responses
Baptist Covenantalism necessitates an overarching Law-Gospel hermeneutics which filters everything into said categories. If not expressed in these categories, one could see Paul helping John to reflect on the graces of sanctification present in his life even ‘till the end, a comfort of thanksgiving which prepares the heart for Heaven.
I would have to agree with your conclusion Ray. Personally, I ask those same questions to brethren all the time, especially thos I am discipling. Regardless of one’s leaning toward Calvinism or Arminianism, aren’t we required to be accountable one to another? Aren’t we supposed to provoke one another to love and good works? It really goes to the heart of the matter–literally. If Paul was doing this as an act of love for a brother who is on the precipice of crossing over, there could be nothing wrong with it. One would think it is pretty obvious even to the most milk fed babe, this is the case. In fact, I wish brothers and sisters would ask me these same questions on a regular basis.