About The Good News Magazine

"What we need is some good news!" It's an often-heard lament in this violent, anxious 21st century. The 20th century witnessed more misfortunes, disasters and catastrophes than any other in human history, and the 21st is looking no better. A brief survey of our times reveals the shocking statistic of more than 150 million killed as a result of war alone since 1900. Diseases, pandemics and natural disasters have claimed the lives of well over 100 million more. Yes, we need some good news. The information age is here, and the bad news is ever present. It rains down on us from satellites 24 hours a day. But where is the source of good news? Surprisingly, the editors and writers of this magazine believe it's been available for thousands of years.

The Good News is the biblically based flagship publication of the United Church of God, an International Association. The much-neglected Book of Books contains good news, known otherwise as "the gospel." The Old English word gospel, or "good spell (tale)," simply means good news. And what is the gospel? It's the announcement of the rule of God on the earth, now and in the future.

The gospel is not a limited "religious" message about a historical figure. It is the answer to every human dilemma, because it speaks to a way of living and of God's own plan for humanity. When Jesus of Nazareth began His ministry of reconciliation, He "came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14). It was good news about God's intervention in human affairs to save us from the bad news. Jesus' message included the truth about His own life, death and resurrection. It is the way of spiritual salvation.

The message of this is a timeless one, full of hope, faith and love—three aspects of human existence that have been debased and deconstructed in our time. Whatever happened to our visions of a positive, hopeful future and lives lived in dignity with love and concern for all? The Good News recaptures those visions and values, with a fresh issue published every two months. We're here to help you on your journey to the destiny our Creator has for us all. Let us know what you think.