WORLD’s Top 25 articles and columns for 2017
Our year-end countdown of the stories that generated the most reader traffic
Some of the faces from WORLD’s top stories in 2017 (from left, top to bottom): movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, Kansas rancher Greg Gardiner, U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, Sen. Al Franken, a baby with Downs syndrome, evolutionist Francis Collins, former transgender Walt Heyer, former LGBT activist Robert Wenham, Reformed theologian R.C. Sproul, WORLD Daniel of the Year Joni Eareckson Tada, cancer-battler Esther Ybarra, illustration of a transgender teen, Bryan College President Stephen Livesay, Colorado baker Jack Phillips, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump, retired Coast Guard Vice Adm. William “Dean” Lee, and radio host Garrison Keillor Images (from left, top to bottom) by AP, Julie Tucker, AP, AP, iStock.com/Tatiana Dyuvbanova, AP, Steve Craft, Layne Beckner Grime/Genesis, Ligonier, Gary Fong/Genesis, handout, Krieg Barrie, Shawn Poynter/The New York Times/Redux, AP, AP, AP, Patrick Kelley/U.S. Coast Guard, AP
In 2017, we witnessed tragedy and scandal. We celebrated a theological anniversary and said goodbye to a gifted Reformed communicator. As Christians, we responded to issues concerning our origins and the way God made us. As Americans, we fought for our rights to life and liberty. WORLD covered these stories throughout the year in our magazine, on our website, and on our podcast. Here are the Top 25 articles and columns that grabbed your attention the most.
25. Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
The president’s pick resembles Justice Antonin Scalia in philosophy and writing style
by Emily Belz Jan. 31 | WORLD Digital
24. Trump’s stance on LGBT order stuns religious liberty advocates
The president plans to keep a controversial Obama administration rule
by Evan Wilt Jan. 31 | WORLD Digital
23. Garrison Keillor fired for inappropriate behavior
Minnesota Public Radio announced Wednesday it had fired Garrison Keillor, the former host of A Prairie Home Companion, over accusations of improper behavior with ‘an individual who worked with him’
by Lynde Langdon & Kiley Crossland Nov. 29 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
22. Trump narrows Supreme Court list to four
The president is expected to announce a nominee on Feb. 2
by Emily Belz & J.C. Derrick Jan. 26 | WORLD Digital
21. Not so Golden Globes
The astounding arrogance, superiority, and hypocrisy of Hollywood’s elite
by Cal Thomas Jan. 12 | WORLD Digital
20. More than inspirational
Joni Eareckson Tada’s half-century as a quadriplegic and a disabilities advocate is far more than a story of human endurance. It’s a Christ-exalting example of a courageous truth Christians don’t always embrace: ‘When I am weak, then I am strong’
by Jamie Dean Nov. 25 | WORLD Magazine | Cover Story
19. Beyond politics
Evaluating accusations of sexual misconduct
by Marvin Olasky Nov. 17 | WORLD Magazine | Voices
18. Evolution vs. the Bible
Francis Collins and BioLogos seek a different story of our origins than the one told in Genesis
by Elizabeth Handford Nov. 18 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
17. A great sexual reckoning
A flood of harassment cases reminds us that sex is sacred and transgression is costly. Yet even in a fallen world, faithful men and women can treat one another with honor
by Mindy Belz Dec. 30 | WORLD Magazine | Features
16. Too young to cross a street but old enough for a sex change
American Academy of Pediatrics offers opposing views of children’s cognitive abilities
by Julie Borg May 4 | WORLD Digital
15. Uncaging the lion
R.C. Sproul, who died Thursday at age 78, on teaching, preaching, and the crisis within evangelicalism
by Joel Belz Dec. 15 | WORLD Magazine | Q&A
14. Malaysian pastor kidnapped after helping Muslims
Police have arrested a suspect but have not found Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo
by Angela Lu Fulton March 13 | WORLD Digital
13. Suffer the children
Some say the growing rush to label children ‘transgender’ promotes physician-approved child abuse. But speaking out against the practice provokes ire. Who will defend the vulnerable?
by Jamie Dean April 15 | WORLD Magazine | Cover Story
12. Civil war at a Christian college
Chronicling three sad years of conflict on the Bryan College campus
by Marvin Olasky Sept. 2 | WORLD Magazine | Features
11. Unexpected footprints deal blow to evolution
New fossil find puts early humans outside the framework of Darwinism
by Julie Borg Sept. 28 | WORLD Digital | Beginnings
10. All eyes on Kennedy
A Christian cake baker had a good day in court
by Emily Belz Dec. 5 | WORLD Magazine | Features
9. Ohio passes Down syndrome abortion ban
Pro-life advocates are confident Gov. John Kasich will sign the law
by Samantha Gobba Dec. 18 | WORLD Digital | Vitals
8. Evangelicals and Roy Moore
Giving candidates we like a moral pass debases our culture
by Marvin Olasky Nov. 13 | WORLD Magazine | Voices
7. Risking his three stars
Retired Coast Guard Vice Adm. William ‘Dean’ Lee’s principled stand for religious liberty in the military
by J.C. Derrick Jan. 28 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
6. Burying vs. burning
A preference and a proposal for Christians to choose burial instead of cremation
by John Piper July 8 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
5. Esther’s story
In a state known for legal assisted suicide, one terminally ill young woman instead chose to live each God-given day to its fullest
by Sophia Lee Oct. 14 | WORLD Magazine | Features
4. Walt’s story
Walt Heyer is a man again, and he has a manly purpose: protect the vulnerable from the transgender movement
by Sophia Lee April 15 | WORLD Magazine | Features
3. Ranchers who survived wildfires face crippling losses
Last week’s fires on the Plains could disrupt the beef industry in the long-term
by Jill Nelson March 15 | WORLD Digital
2. The case of the Texas fire
An unexpected turn of events in the life of Hank the Cowdog author John R. Erickson
by Marvin Olasky April 1 | WORLD Magazine | Features
1. Sounding the alarm
Many transgender persons regret what they did to their bodies and souls, and some are pleading that others not repeat their mistake
by Sophia Lee April 15 | WORLD Magazine | Features
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