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Philippians 2.6-11 has generated an immense amount of scholarly literature such as journal articles and monographs not to mention blog posts, video lectures, and podcasts. What does the enigmatic phrase "in the form of God" mean? Did Paul intend us to think Jesus refused to grasp at equality with God or that he refused to exploit the equality he already had? What does it mean that Jesus emptied himself? Today we are getting into the weeds in order to understand what Philippians 2 is all about. I don't want to say too much before you get a chance to listen, but I can at least tell you this: Dr. Perriman does not believe it's about a pre-existent being becoming a human.

"Morphe is never used of the one living God, the one true God, for the simple reason that it always has reference to the external appearance of an object or a person or a god." -Andrew Perriman

My guest today is Andrew Perriman who has a degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford as well as an MPhil and PhD from the London School of Theology where he currently works as an Associate Research Fellow. He teaches New Testament and works with graduate students on biblical interpretation.

See also the previous episode on the other texts in Paul's epistle that traditional Christians think teach Jesus pre-existed.

https://youtu.be/pLBX_DA1acQ

—— Links ——

• Follow Andrew Perriman at his postost blog
• Get In the Form of a God from Wipf & Stock or from Amazon
• Check out these previous episodes about pre-existence
• Get the transcript of this episode
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