What is the Biblical Response to Identity Politics?

This series essentially describes identity politics as a superficial worldview that addresses legitimate concerns over oppression without getting to the root issue, the sinfulness of all humanity. The exaltation of secondary group identities–characteristics like race, class, sex, nationality, and sexual orientation–to fundamental markers of identity is a misguided attempt to undo oppression. The Biblical response to identity politics deals directly with the universal problem of sin. ALL mankind needs to be born again and remade in the image of God through Jesus Christ. Sadly to say, this progressive remaking of believers into the image of Christ has become less a priority among many evangelicals who prioritize political power and “winning the culture war” over sanctification.

The Full Series

Primer on Identity Politics

December 4, 2024 No Comments

This initial episode provides a brief history of identity politics beginning in the 1970’s and highlights the distinctive focus of identity politics as opposed to conventional or traditional politics. The principle theme is perceived oppression based on one’s own race, class, sex, nationality, etc. Those who embrace identity politics typically focus on combatting oppression based on the group in which they participate.

Identity politics: redefining sin based on group identity

December 4, 2024 No Comments

This episode continues the history of major themes in identity politics, highlighting the role of “intersectionality,” the compounding of oppression based on participation in multiple oppressed groups. A brief contrast between Identity politics and the Biblical worldview regarding oppression is provided towards the end.

To oppress or not to oppress: the superficial “sin” lens of identity politics

December 4, 2024 No Comments

This episode draws the stark contrast between oppression and sin, the respective lenses of identity politics and the Bible respectively. “Sin” in identity politics is largely defined by participation, willing or not, in oppressor/oppressee groups. God is not really in view. This worldview contrasts sharply with the Biblical assessment of man’s problem: sin is universal, and oppression/victim status among groups is part of the much larger universal problem of sin.

Identity Politics and the Bible: addressing symptoms vs. universal sin

December 4, 2024 No Comments

This episode tackles the deficient view of sin in identity politics, where the depravity of human nature is not addressed. Identity politics focuses on symptoms of oppression without dealing with the sinful root of universal human depravity .

Identity Politics motivated by grievance

December 4, 2024 No Comments

Identity politics is actually an easy scapegoat for anyone not finding their identity in Christ, particularly those who haven’t gained God’s perspective on their grievances. I give my testimony how worldly wealth categories led to grievance in my own life and my embrace of classism, a category of identity politics.

Identity Politics: Making the Secondary Primary

December 4, 2024 No Comments

This episodes addresses how identity politics exalts secondary characteristics of identity, like race, class and sex–into fundamental markers of identity. Racial profiling is an obvious application of such an unjust approach. White privilege and white guilt amount to racial profiling applied to whites. Both are unjust and miss the standard of Biblical justice.