WORLD’s Top 25 articles for 2016

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Our countdown of the 25 magazine and online-only articles that generated the most reader traffic on WORLD’s website this year

25. Scholars unwrap ancient biblical text

RELIGION | Text from charred artifact mirrors Old Testament verses from the Bible’s third book | By Samantha Gobba | Sept. 22

24. Dallas church mourns slain officer who provided Sunday security

SHOOTING | Officer Mike Smith remembered for his wit, kind spirit, and quiet strength | By Molly Hulsey | July 8

23. Wayne Grudem reflects on his life’s work

Q&A | Newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the professor and theologian looks back on his accomplishments and to the work ahead | By Warren Cole Smith | Feb. 27

22. Why pray to an all-knowing God?

FAITH & INSPIRATION | Scripture teaches us how God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility work together | By D.A. Carson | May 28

21. Serious laughter

RELIGION | New and popular satire site The Babylon Bee tries to cut through superficiality to hard truths | By Emily Belz | Oct. 29

20. Saeed Abedini: Please pray for my marriage

PERSECUTION | Pastor who spent three years in an Iranian prison visited Washington to thank lawmakers who advocated for his release | By Evan Wilt | Feb. 25

19. The Dance

ESSAY | From politics to theatrics, how a campus courtship began | By John R. Erickson | March 19

18. Waiting till the wedding

LIFESTYLE | Churchgoers have joined the ranks of cohabitating couples. Some Christian leaders are directing them to a holier path | By Mary Jackson | April 16

17. Family killed in crash on way to missionary training

TRAGEDY | Mother and father of three planned to spread the gospel in Japan | By Jamie Dean | Aug. 5

16. Gary Smalley remembered for saving marriages

OBITUARY | Christian author and speaker devoted his life to strengthening families | By Samantha Gobba | March 11

15. Redeeming the time

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY | Marco Rubio plans to push an international religious freedom bill in his final months in the Senate | By J.C. Derrick | April 16

14. Friends of Ted

CAMPAIGN 2016 | Sen. Ted Cruz’s aggressive style has alienated many in Washington, but that’s not the whole picture | By Jamie Dean | April 16

13. Ben Sasse: A Reformed reformer

Q&A | A U.S. senator talks personal theology and public policy | By J.C. Derrick | Oct. 15

12. Darrin Patrick commits to restoration process

RELIGION | Popular megachurch pastor admits he needs ‘deep healing’ after elder board removes him from pulpit | By Bonnie Pritchett | April 15

11. At least one American remains in Iranian prison

IRAN | Seven Iranians cleared as part of the prisoner swap are free to remain in the United States | By Jamie Dean & Leigh Jones | Jan. 16

10. The reading habits of a latter-day Puritan

RELIGION | Excerpts from a new biography of theologian J.I. Packer | By Leland Ryken | Jan. 2

9. Rosaria Butterfield: No free passes

Q&A | What happens after a widely praised (and sometimes reviled) first book comes out? | By Marvin Olasky | Aug. 6

8. Support swells for Christian family in Norway after authorities seize children

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY | School principal reported the parents for ‘indoctrinating’ their children | By Sarah Padbury | Jan. 21

7. Gospel for Asia sued for fraud

RELIGION | A class-action lawsuit alleges the ministry misappropriated donated funds | By William McCleery | Feb. 10

6. The descent of evolution

SCIENCE | Observable scientific data does not support Darwin’s theory of macroevolution | By Robert P. Crowner | Feb. 6

5. Liberty alumni trash Trump endorsement

CAMPAIGN 2016 | College president Jerry Falwell Jr. went too far in backing the incendiary candidate, alumni say | By J.C. Derrick | Jan. 26

NIGERIA | Under the Clinton State Department, influence from big money donors appeared to thwart efforts to combat Boko Haram—efforts that might have saved thousands of lives | By Mindy Belz & J.C. Derrick | June 11