Faith in The West Wing

Proverbial wisdom advises against discussing politics and religion in polite company. However, Aaron Sorkin and the producers of the award-winning television series The West Wing (NBC, 1999-2006) didn't seem to get the memo. Still popular and surprisingly relevant several years after its final episode, this primetime dramatization of a fictional presidential administration regularly incorporated religious rhetoric, perspectives, and practices in its characters and storylines. With episodes featuring such explicitly religious titles as "Take This Sabbath Day," "Faith-Based Initiative," and "In God We Trust," and with characters with such biblically based names as Josiah, Josh, Toby, Abbey, and Sam, the series took thoughtful religious faith seriously and implied that spirituality can serve as a vital component of civic virtue. While by no means an exhaustive examination of all seven seasons, this collection of essays explores some of the more prominent portrayals of religious faith and practice throughout the series to prompt and guide the readers' own reflections and observations. Discussion questions are also provided at the end of each chapter for use in watch parties and other small group gatherings.

Author: David W. Graybeal
Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
Published: 01/10/2023
Pages: 164
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.35d
ISBN13: 9781666748574
ISBN10: 1666748579
BISAC Categories:
- Religion | Christian Living | Social Issues
- Religion | Christianity | Literature & the Arts
- Religion | Faith

About the Author
David W. Graybeal is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. He has served churches in southwestern England and east Tennessee, where he is a member of the Holston Conference. He is also an adjunct professor of religion at Tennessee Wesleyan University.