University of Leicester
Browse

Interpreting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): An application and evaluation of the SIFT methodology.

Download (1.64 MB)
thesis
posted on 2024-01-18, 15:28 authored by Francis Loftus

This empirical study was designed to explore and to evaluate the contribution of the SIFT approach to biblical hermeneutics for interpreting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The SIFT approach is a recent addition to hermeneutical theories, rooted in the reader perspective approach and informed by the development of the Jungian theory of psychological type. The opening four chapters provide the theoretical context for the empirical study by exploring the historical trajectory of biblical hermeneutics, examining how different hermeneutical approaches have added to the interpretation of this parable. The roots and development of the SIFT approach are examined in discussion of reader response within hermeneutical theory, in the nature of ordinary theology and in psychological type theory. Then the fifth chapter roots the study in the discussion of methodology. In the empirical component to this study 16 individuals (one from each of the 16 complete psychological types) were interviewed to elicit their interpretation of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The results from their interviews are discussed in eight chapters, with each chapter presenting the interpretation of two contrasting types. These chapters support the conclusion that the interpretation of individual readers reflects their unique psychological type and helps to validate the theory underpinning the SIFT approach to biblical hermeneutics.

History

Supervisor(s)

Leslie Francis

Date of award

2023-11-20

Author affiliation

Bishop Grosseteste University

Awarding institution

University of Leicester

Qualification level

  • Doctoral

Qualification name

  • PhD

Language

en

Usage metrics

    University of Leicester Theses

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC