Faith in The West Wing: The Portrayal of Religion in a Primetime Presidency
Ebook
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.
“Faith in The West Wing is a model of serious theological reflection on vital personal and societal challenges. With exceptional pastoral sensitivity and theological astuteness, David Graybeal draws us into serious grappling with the meaning and practice of faith in our complex, diverse, and dangerous world. This is an excellent resource for individuals and groups who seek to relate faith to the living of these turbulent days.”
—Kenneth L. Carder, professor emeritus of the practice of Christian ministry, Duke Divinity School
“David Graybeal is a skillful guide through The West Wing’s religious themes. We meet President Bartlet and cast of characters whose faith in a simultaneously immanent and transcendent God stirs their hopes for a better world. While imperfect, they cultivate a thoughtful spiritual life. It’s enough to make a reader long for such leaders on the stage of American politics today.”
—William P. McDonald, professor of religion, Tennessee Wesleyan University
“With wit and insight, two of my favorite subjects come together in this wonderful work by David Graybeal: the presidency of the United States and the Christian faith. The West Wing was a great series, and Graybeal has been able to plumb the episodes from theological and historical perspectives. I will use this book over and over as I continue to follow the intersection of presidential politics and the Christian faith.”
—Charles W. Maynard, pastor of generosity and traditional worship, Cokesbury UMC
- Title: Faith in The West Wing: The Portrayal of Religion in a Primetime Presidency
- Author: David W. Graybeal
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666748598, 9781666748574, 9781666748581, 1666748595, 1666748579, 1666748587
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666748598
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-01T02:29:57Z
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.