World News and Trends: America's famous optimism sorely tested
The May 2011 edition of The American Spectator asked this question of nine insightful observers: "Is America in Decline?" Only two responded with an unqualified yes. The majority felt that the United States would pull through its well-known present difficulties and maintain its standing as the world's preeminent nation.
The publisher, Alfred Regnery, summed up the general feelings: "There is no question that we have had our share of problems, and still do. But the good news is, we have always been able to recover and re-emerge to the exceptional place that the world expects us to be . . . Americans are the most resourceful people in the world."
But Mr. Regnery did acknowledge "the wet blanket of suffocating government" as a very serious challenge. As a precondition to recovery, some of the nine respondents wanted a change of national administration in 2012.
A recent Newsweek report about America's condition gives one pause for thought. "Three out of four people believe the economy is stagnant or getting worse. One in three are uneasy about getting married, starting a family, or being able to buy a home. Most say their relationships have been damaged by economic woes, or, perhaps more accurately, the dread and nervousness that accompanies them" (Tony Dokoupil, "Mad as Hell," June 6, 2011).
In fact, the most serious challenge to America's national well-being continues to be an increasing failure to read and live by the Word of God as revealed in Scripture. A recent survey published in the May 24, 2011, edition of USA Today showed that nearly half of Americans rarely even open a Bible.
In addition to our regular magazine, the publishers of The Good News also offer a variety of free booklets, including one titled Making Life Work. With the Bible as its basis, this publication covers marriage and family life, workable child-rearing tips, right friendships, finding success in job and career, financial security and keys to a long, peaceful and healthy life. This booklet, if followed, will help most anyone to get back on the right track materially and spiritually. (Sources: The American Spectator, Newsweek, USA Today.)
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: July - August 2011
Course Content
Jerold Aust
Jerold Aust has served in the ministry for 52 years, as a public speaker for 58 years, a published writer for 38 years, and is employed by UCG’s Media and Communications Services. He is a Senior Writer, interviewer, and editor for Beyond Today Magazine and has taught Speech Communication for UCG’s ministerial online program and the Book of Revelation for ABC.
Jerold holds a BA in theology from Ambassador College, Pasadena (1968), an MA in Communication from California State University, Fullerton (1995), a distance-learning Ph.D (2006), and a Famous Writers School diploma in non-fiction writing (1973). Additionally, he studied post-grad communication at University of Southern California (1995), radio, TV, voice-overs, and Public Relations at Fullerton College (1995-1996), and graduate communication at Wichita State University (1978). Jerold has taught communication at the University of South Alabama (7 years) and ABC (17 years). His published works include, Ronald Reagan’s Rhetoric: Metaphor as Persuasion and EZSpeakers: Public Speaking Made Easy in 7 Steps. Jerold's overarching goal is to share with humankind its incredible destiny!
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
