The Jackson Phenomenon www.thetrumpet.com THE TRUTH BEHIND A State IRAN’S ELECTIONS ABORTIONADULTE of Crisis ABORTIONADULTE WORKING THEWORKING PHILADELPHIA September 2009 MOTHER PREMARITALR MOTHER PREMARITALR SAME-SEX DIVORCEY SAME-SEX DIVORCEYMARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT MARRIAGE WORKING SEX DEADBEAT MOTHER ROLE FATHERS ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION FEMINISM ABORTIONPORN CONFUSION DIVORCEHOMOSEXUALITYADULTE TRUMPETHOMOSEXUALITY FEMINISM FEMINISM PREMARITAL ADULTEABORTIONADULTERY PORN RY WORKING SEXABORTIONADULTE SAME-SEX MOTHER PREMARITALDIVORCERY WORKING SAME-SEX SEX MOTHER PREMARITALDIVORCERY MARRIAGEMARRIAGE DEADBEAT ROLE SAME-SEX SEX ROLE FATHERS MARRIAGE DEADBEAT PORN CONFUSION CONFUSION ROLE FATHERS HOMOSEXUALITY PORN CONFUSION PREMARITALFEMINISM HOMOSEXUALITYHOMOSEXUALITY THE SEX FEMINISMFEMINISM ROLEABORTIONADULTEWORKINGABORTIONADULTE CONFUSIONWORKING MOTHER WORKING WAR MOTHER PREMARITALDIVORCER SAME-SEX YPORN MOTHER PREMARITALR SEX SAME-SEX DIVORCEY DEADBEATMARRIAGE DEADBEAT DEADBEAT SEX ROLE FATHERS MARRIAGE DEADBEAT FATHERS CONFUSION DIVORCE FATHERS ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION ON HOMOSEXUALITY PORN ABORTIONADULTEFEMINISMABORTION AND HOW HOMOSEXUALITY WORKING TO WIN IT FEMINISM MOTHER PREMARITALR FAMILY SAME-SEX DIVORCEY ABORTIONADULTE MARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT WORKING ROLE FATHERS MOTHER PREMARITAL CONFUSION DIVORCERY PORN SAME-SEX SAME-SEX HOMOSEXUALITY HOMOSEXUALITYMARRIAGE SEX DEADBEAT FEMINISMMARRIAGE ROLE FATHERS PORN CONFUSION CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2009 Vol. 20, No. 8 Circ. 255,067 8 24 2 12 32 DEPARTMENTS WORLD SOCIETY 1 FROM THE EDITOR 12 The Truth Behind Iran’s 2 The War Against Family Honoring the Election Protests Why to fight it—how to win it! Father 13 Why Trouble in Iran Will Lead to War 9 America’s Decline—From Sinatra to Jackson 16 WORLDWATCH 14 Germany’s Stealth You can track the moral descent Attack on the EU of a nation by its culture. 34 TELEVISION LOG The Key of David 20 Pope Benedict and National LIVING Socialism—the Connection 36 LETTERS 6 Protect Your Family 22 A State of Emergency 37 COMMENTARY 26 California, once the most blessed state in Keep the Ghetto A Solution for the Union, is today the most troubled. Out of Your Bedroom Social Depravity It’s more difficult than ever. 25 Another Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact? BIBLE 28 Why Rest on the Sabbath Day? 32 The Tie That Binds America, Britain and Israel RELIGION 30 Growing Up in the Worldwide Church of God For a free subscription in the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-772-8577 COVER STAFF Publisher and Editor in Chief Gerald Flurry THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET (issn 10706348) is published monthly CONTACT US Please notify us of any change in your address; include your old mail- Families are Executive Editor News Editor (except bimonthly May-June and November-December issues) by ing label and the new address. The publishers assume no responsibility for return Stephen Flurry Ron the Philadelphia Church of God, 14400 S. Bryant Ave, Edmond, of unsolicited artwork, photographs or manuscripts. The editor reserves the right under attack Fraser Managing Editor Joel Hilliker Contribut- ok 73034. Periodicals postage paid at Edmond, ok, and additional to use any letters, in whole or in part, as he deems in the public interest, and to from many ing Editors Mark Jenkins, Ryan Malone, Brad mailing offices. ©2009 Philadelphia Church of God. All rights edit any letter for clarity or space. Website www.theTrumpet.com E-mail letters@ sources. Macdonald, Robert Morley, Philip Nice Associ- reserved. printed in the u.s.a. Unless otherwise noted, scriptures theTrumpet.com; subscription or literature requests [email protected] Phone Aubrey ate Editor Production Assistant are quoted from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. U.S. U.S., Canada: 1-800-772-8577; Australia: 1-800-22-333-0; New Zealand: 0-800- Donna Grieves Postmaster: Send address changes to: the philadelphia trum- 500-512. Contributions, letters or requests may be sent to our office nearest you: Mercado/ Michael Dattolo Research Assistants Adar pet, p.o. Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083. 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Central Post Office, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100 Schmidl Spanish Edition Editor Carlos Heyer this worldwide work of God are gladly welcomed as co-workers. Latin America Attn: Spanish Department, p.o. Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083, U.S. FROM THE EDITOR Honoring the Father amily is the most beautiful thing in life! repeatedly gave His Father credit for His success. Herbert W. Armstrong once wrote, “The very founda- Then, this verse tells us that Christ actually devoted His tion of any stable civilization is a solid family struc- earthly ministry to declaring His Father! Jesus Christ revealed the ture. … Nothing in this material world is as important existence of God the Father to this world. Before that time, peo- Fas a happy home life with father, mother and well-taught, happy ple didn’t even know God in the terms of children—a close-knit family” (Good News, February 1979). family. So often, you see that great men and women come from strong Let me tell you an awe-inspiring, families. They had the support of a dedicated father and mother marvelous truth that you can prove from in a happy marriage. your Bible. It is very beautiful, and so Theodore Roosevelt attributed a great part of his success and plain that I wonder how so many peo- leadership to what he learned from his father. “My father was ple—even those who profess to believe the best man I ever knew,” he said. Wayne Gretzky, perhaps the the Bible—can fail so completely to un- greatest hockey player ever, had a terrific relationship with his derstand it! father. So did the famous runner Sebastian Coe. Football greats The Apostle John absolutely filled his Dan Marino and Joe Montana said their fathers taught them how Gospel with statements showing how to be leaders. I find such examples inspiring. Christ honored His Father! “[M]y Fa- GERALD FLURRY David Hartman was a common-looking man, not your typi- ther is greater than I,” Christ said (John EDITOR IN CHIEF cal handsome television personality. But he became very success- 14:28; see also John 5:19). “[T]he Father ful in that field, hosting the top-rated program Good Morning hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please America for over a decade. He too had a strong relationship with him,” He said (John 8:29). “I came down from heaven, not to do his father. “My father always told me, David, you’re unique!” he mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38; see said. “And you have something unique to give!” He believed his also John 4:34). Jesus repeatedly referred to “the Father which has father and achieved a lot in his life. sent me” (John 5:23, 30, 36, 37; 6:44, 57; 8:16, 18; 12:49; 20:21). The best family example in history, however, is that of Jesus This is astonishing! Why did He keep repeating these state- Christ. ments? There is an inspiring reason! The Apostle John, in writing his Gospel, showed how Jesus Christ was the Son of God, who had shared in the majestic repeatedly and consistently honored His Father. John wrote, “No glory of God for a prior eternity. But He came to Earth to de- man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is clare His Father. Over and over, He said, My Father sent me. Don’t in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). make your religion revolve around me. I’m not the central figure! Notice what that verse says! The Father sent me! He’s in charge! He’s the Head of the Family! Jesus Christ was the only being ever begotten by God as a hu- Never in the history of the universe has anybody honored his man being in the womb of a woman. This shows a special family father more than Christ honored His. What wonderful humil- relationship. There was the Father and the Son in the God Family! ity and character He had in declaring His Father, and constantly directing our attention to the Father! Throughout Scripture there is Christ’s magnificent example shows God’s family government! instruction to fathers that they must Throughout Scripture there is instruction to fathers that they must lead their families in love. God wants fathers in- lead their families in love. God wants volved and engaged, actively loving their wives, loving their fathers involved and engaged, actively children. Teaching and educating their children. Providing for them. Disciplining them, defending them. loving their wives, loving their children. God the Father sets the ultimate example in fulfilling that role! And He inspired tremendous love and devotion in His The truth is, from the very beginning, God created physical Son, Jesus Christ. family in order to teach people about Himself, and to draw people This example shows how strong family is meant to work! God to Himself! God created marriage between husband and wife, and wants physical fathers to fulfill the same function that He Him- sex as a means of reproduction, so that children would grow up self fulfills toward His children.