Dr. Stearns has a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from University of St. Andrews in Scotland, a master鈥檚 degree in Christian Studies from Regent College and an undergraduate degree in music from Pacific Lutheran University. Her academic work has focused on the interaction between theology and music, and she loves to talk about the Christian imagination. She is also passionate about trinitarian theology. As one student recently remarked, 鈥淵ou really do dig this trinitarian stuff, huh?鈥�
As a lapsed violinist, she brings with her a background in teaching violin and performing in chamber and orchestral settings. She also has a long history of serving in the Church as a musician, teacher and worship leader. Little know fact: her stage debut was at the age of 3 months, as she was 鈥榢idnapped鈥� by her older cousins to play the role of baby Jesus in the Church鈥檚 Christmas pageant.
Dr. Stearns lives in Ballard with the other Dr. Stearns, whom she affectionately refers to as Dave.
On January 22nd of this year, I attended Jamar Tisby鈥檚 lecture at Seattle Pacific University based on his book, The Color of Compromise. He began with the story of a speech by White civil rights lawyer Charles Morgan Jr at the Birmingham Young Men鈥檚 Business Club in Birmingham, Alabama the day after the murder of […]
A number of students have asked me recently why I want to study theology and trauma together. My answer is both simple and complicated. The simple answer is that I think that studying at the intersection of theology and trauma is a generative place to re-imagine redemption, reconciliation, and healing. The more complicated answer is […]
Dr. Chelle Stearns continues her conversation with composer Stephen Michael Newby about his work inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., and how it intersects with our cultural moment.
We were thrilled to see the following post by Dr. Chelle Stearns, Associate Professor of Theology, featured on Patheos recently. Dr. Stearns鈥檚 article, 鈥淪ex and Life in the Spirit,鈥� is part of an ongoing conversation Patheos is holding about the spirituality of sex, and we believe it raises important questions about shame, desire, and how […]