Looking at the Birds, Considering the Lilies, and Perceiving God’s Grace in the Countryside: An Empirical Investigation in Hermeneutical Theory

This study is situated within the newly emerging interest in concept of grace as a legitimate topic for empirical enquiry, and draws on theoretical framework provided by SIFT approach to biblical hermeneutics, an rooted reader-perspective hermeneutical theory Jungian psychological type theory. Data were draw from two one-day workshops with Anglican Readers (lay ministers). On each occasion participants invited divide into three separate groups according their preferences sensing or intuition (the perceiving functions) these explore messages Matthew 6: 25–30 (Jesus’ invitation look at birds consider lilies). The rich data gathered generated insights contemporary theologies also confirmed hypothesis that interpretation shaped reader’s preference intuition.