John MacArthur to start physical therapy in hospital, spokesman says

California pastor John MacArthur remains hospitalized and is receiving tests and treatment from doctors after his December hospitalization, Grace Community Church elder Phil Johnson posted Wednesday. MacArthur is starting physical therapy due to his lengthy confinement to a bed, Johnson said in another post last week.

The pastor was hospitalized in late December after struggling with residual symptoms from a heart valve replacement in July. The pastor’s recovery has been slower than expected and he has struggled with setbacks affecting his heart and lungs, Johnson according to another update provided at his church earlier this month. Doctors have been unable to identify the cause of MacArthur’s lingering symptoms, according to the update.

Why isn’t MacArthur or his ministry sharing more about his condition? Johnson reiterated MacArthur’s desire for privacy in the initial announcement and only those directly involved would receive details. Johnson released the latest update to combat false reports online that MacArthur had been discharged from the hospital. Several social media accounts posted false information disguised as personal updates about MacArthur in an effort to boost their reach, the elder wrote. Do not trust any posts from any source unaffiliated with Grace Community Church, he added.

MacArthur’s congregants were informed of the seemingly unplanned procedure when it took place in July and were told the surgery had been successful the following week.

Dig deeper: Read my report on MacArthur’s initial hospitalization for more details.