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At this point though I'm more concerned with the substance of what he said, not with the circumstances in which he said it and whatever conclusions are trying to be drawn about it.

I agree with what MacArthur said in this article. Attributing motives to MacArthur based on a few interviews is IMO doing the same thing you are criticizing him for in his article: finding it necessary to slam fellow Reformed believers.

Rather than worry about what MacArthur may or not have had as his motive for writing this (and forgive me if I give him the benefit of the doubt), I think it more productive to focus on the content...specifically the issue of whether or not God has any love of any kind for the reprobate. IMO, that theological issue is getting lost in dialogue and baseless allegations over the credibility of the author.

Fru, this entire discussion is taking place not because of what MacArthur said about the elect or the reprobate or God's grace. Four-pointers and five-pointers can agree to disagree.

The problem with MacArthur's words here is centered on the unnecessary and incorrect slam he levels against his Reformed brothers and sisters in Christ.

Just like the "hyper" straw man, I know of NO CALVINIST who believes like the opposition says we believe. To say so, however, just makes it easier for them to criticize the Reformed faith.

As MacArthur writes...

"Pink was attempting to make the crucial point that God is sovereign in the exercise of His love. The gist of his argument is certainly valid: It is folly to think that God loves all alike, or that He is compelled by some rule of fairness to love everyone equally. Scripture teaches us that God loves because He chooses to love (Deuteronomy 7:6-7), because He is loving (God is love, 1 John 4:8), not because He is under some obligation to love everyone the same."

All Calvinists believe the sun shines on the saved and the reprobate. And all Calvinists believe that God's "love" ends there for the reprobate, and God's "love" extends to the elect as eternal bliss with Him in heaven.

No small difference.

MacArthur errs in his next step by denouncing Pink as "going too far" when Pink and MacArthur both agree that God saves according to His decree and not the will or whim of men. MacArthur simply wants it both ways.

"Unfortunately, Pink took the corollary too far. The fact that some sinners are not elected to salvation is no proof that God's attitude toward them is utterly devoid of sincere love."

"Sincere?"

"The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born." -- Matthew 26:24

MacArthur is courting the TV audience now. Too bad.