George Yancey on Identity Politics, Christianophobia, and a Better Way Forward

In this episode, Will and Josh talk with Dr. George Yancey, a sociologist at Baylor University who specializes in race, identity politics, Christianophobia, and how faith communities can move beyond today’s culture-war structures. The conversation unpacks why identity politics has become such a powerful force, how Christians can disentangle their core identity from political tribes, and why social identity theory helps explain today’s polarization. Dr. Yancey also discusses his research on Christianophobia, the limits of both conservative and progressive models, and how a Christ-centered identity offers a more honest path forward than culture-war loyalty.

Additional Resources
Dr. Yancey’s YouTube channel: Shattering Paradigms
Sociology Department at Baylor University (contact): https://www.baylor.edu/sociology/

Guest Bio
Dr. George Yancey is a sociologist and professor at Baylor University whose work focuses on race, social identity, anti-Christian bias, and the intersection of faith and culture. He is the author of several books on racial reconciliation, Christianophobia, and sociology of religion. His research emphasizes data-driven analysis and a Christ-centered approach to navigating America’s most polarized debates.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. George Yancey and His Work
03:00 The Role of Faith in Political Identity
05:54 Sociological Methods and Christian Perspectives
08:44 Human Nature and Racial Reconciliation
11:45 Conversations on Race and Immigration
14:38 Critiques of Colorblindness and Anti-Racism
17:41 Power Dynamics in Racial Discussions
20:23 The Intersection of Faith and Political Identity
23:18 The Importance of Core Identity in Faith
26:22 Filtering Conversations Through Faith
31:09 Exploring Assumptions in Faith and Identity
34:33 Understanding Christianophobia and Its Cultural Context
38:32 The Divide Between Progressive and Conservative Christians
45:02 The Impact of Identity Politics on Christianity
49:58 Finding Common Ground Amidst Polarization
01:00:06 The Role of Identity Politics in Current Narratives