You're listening to the Allender Center podcast with Dr. Dan Allender.

As we round out our summer podcast season, Dan has invited a series of friends and colleagues

to talk about specific passages of scripture that intrigue and inspire them.

To kick things off, Dr. Shalice Stern's Associate Professor of Theology at the Seattle School,

talks with Dan about Philippians too, and the idea that following the example of Christ

means becoming more fully ourselves.

I have the distinct pleasure to be with my dear friend and colleague,

Shalie Stearns again. Say hi.

Hi, Dan. How's it going?

Good. And we also get to do what I love to do at least three or four times a year, and that is to

just play in scripture.

And what we're doing is just asking you the question.

What intrigues you?

What particular passage at the moment intrigues you

and you have picked Philippians chapter 2, 1 through 11? And obviously it should intrigue us because

it's the Word of God. But it is just a fascinating passage, an ancient hymn played into a, both an invitation and confrontation.

So nonetheless, tell us, why are you intrigued by Philippians chapter 2, 1 through 11?

That's a great question. Yeah, I was just sitting here thinking, when I was in the fifth grade and probably it's one of the first major shifts in my spirituality where my faith became my own.

I went to camp and we studied the book of Philippians that summer.

And so I remember like singing, you know,

rejoice the Lord always and again I say rejoice,

which is kind of a silly little song,

...