[4][5] Each issue features both U.S. and international news, cultural analysis, editorials and commentary, as well as book, music and movie reviews.

[4] World was launched by Joel Belz in 1986 as a publication of The Presbyterian Journal, a theologically conservative magazine founded in 1942.

[12] World magazine received national media attention in 2009, when its then features editor Lynn Vincent was chosen to collaborate on former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life.

[19] Three months later, in late September, World's two office buildings in Biltmore Village were flooded by up to six feet of water from the Swannanoa River during Hurricane Helene.

[10] World has received positive critical commentary from the New York Times regarding its investigative reporting on controversies within the evangelical Christian community.

'"[24] The magazine reported that Christian apologist and conservative political commentator Dinesh D'Souza had shared a hotel room with his fiancée prior to filing for divorce from his previous wife.

[26][27] In December 2018, World's investigative report[28] on Harvest Bible Chapel and its pastor, James MacDonald, led to a shakeup at the suburban Chicago megachurch.

The article written by freelance writer Julie Roys included detailed information on financial mismanagement and a culture of deception and intimidation at the church.