Seven years on: insights from children’s developing perspectives in interpreting the wisdom of the biblical creation narrative

Abstract

Seven years ago, in 2004–2005, research was carried out into children’s perspectives as they encounter sacred text. Seven years on, these same children and young people were contacted with a similar interview and the results are offered. In order to comment on the meaning-making interpretative process that children employ at different key stages of development, the insights of hermeneutic phenomenology and of developmental psychology are used detailing their former stage and seven years later. At each of the British educational Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, children’s perspectives of their world views and scriptural understanding are given alongside hermeneutical commentary.