The Dangers of Overreaction: How to Find Theological Stability as a Young Man & New Podcast: Remembering John MacArthur

There is a profound danger in instability. Why are young men so easily prone to shifting ideologies?

Welcome to The Perspectivalist!

Today, I’m honored to host Reverend Grant Castleberry—Marine officer turned pastor, currently finishing his dissertation on Martin Lloyd-Jones. We gather to reflect on John MacArthur, a towering figure in pastoral longevity and biblical faithfulness.

Grant’s personal encounters with MacArthur go beyond admiration—they shaped his call to ministry and introduced him to Reformed theology. From late-night radio sermons after high school football practices to transformative theological tapes like Chosen for Eternity, MacArthur’s influence was profound and life-altering.

In our conversation, we explore:

• How conviction and clarity drove MacArthur’s preaching

• The weight of biblical authority and expository rigor

• The rare gift of decades-long pastoral ministry

• Personal reflections: the kind, humble man behind the pulpit

Join us for a meaningful tribute to a faithful pastor whose legacy continues to influence Christian ministry and leadership.

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The Call to Stability

I have recently harped on the tendency towards overreaction in the ideological spectrum. This is especially true among young fathers, whom I have seen accumulate numerous theological perspectives and a host of church membership cards. The fundamentalist read “The Sword of the Lord” yesterday and is now listening to lectures on iconography from his new favorite Eastern Orthodox podcast. They are about to take their spouses and families through emotional roller coasters because the latest thing to shine on X is calling them; the new movement is drawing them from yonder mystical experience.

While I would love to see a worldwide Reformational revival, I am firstly committed to a worldwide ecclesiastical revival. I want to see men who love their wives and children at home, their local bodies in service, their shepherds in submission, and their worship in faithfulness and joy.

The CREC is experiencing an enormous surge in attendance and interest, with many attendees coming from independent and evangelical backgrounds. If they leave their flocks for legitimate reasons, I encourage them to refrain from making radical decisions in the first year of their membership in our congregation. Sit. Learn. Ask. Read. Serve.

You should stay close to the common. There is no need to dig into 2002 Federal Vision controversies, Barth’s Romans commentary, or Leithart’s Constantine biography. Read your Heidelberg Catechism. Read your R.C. Sproul. And read to stay near the roots before wandering into the forest. There will be time for that, but before you explore, you must solidify who you are and from whence you came. This will provide a strong foundation for your journey.

I’d recommend five resources for the Reformed newbie:

a) R.C. Sproul’s “The Holiness of God” for its high Reformed piety.

b) The Heidelberg Catechism for its splendid pastoral theology.

c) J.I. Packer’s “Knowing God” for its imperative to know God truly.

d) Douglas Wilson’s “Reforming Marriage” for the rich calling of matrimony.

e) Herman Bavinck’s “The Wonderful Works of God” for its glorious doctrine of God.

The latter will be a bit more demanding as a systematic treatment, but it will ground you and keep you from entering into foreign territory too quickly. The others will provide the theology and piety needed to avoid the temptations to shift.

Theological journeys require stability of mind and strength. They are not shape-shifting games because they touch the very core of who you are. The double-minded person will always seek the next thing and never ultimately find satisfaction. His instability will damage everything and everyone around him.