James William Fowler III (1940–2015) was an American theologian who was Professor of Theology and Human Development at Emory University. He was director of both the Center for Research on Faith and Moral Development, and the Center for Ethics until he retired in 2005. He was a minister in the United Methodist Church.[4][5] Fowler is best known for his book Stages of Faith, published in 1981, in which he sought to develop the idea of a developmental process in "human faith".
Fowler was born in Reidsville, North Carolina, on October 12, 1940, the son of a Methodist minister.[4] In 1977, Fowler was appointed Associate Professor of Theology and Human Development at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.[1] He was later named Charles Howard Candler Professor of Theology and Human Development.[1][6] He died on October 16, 2015.[1]
Stages of faith
He is best known for his book Stages of Faith (1981), in which he sought to develop the idea of a developmental process in "human faith".[5]
In the book, Fowler describes 6 stages of development.
Description of the stages
No.
Fowler
Age
Piaget
0
Undifferentiated Faith
0–2 years
Sensoric-motorical
1
Intuitive- Projective
2–7 years
Pre-operational
2
Mythic- Literal
7–12 years
Concrete operational
3
Synthetic- Conventional
12+ years
Formal-operational
4
Individual-Reflective
21+ years
5
Conjunctive
35+ years
6
Universalizing
45+
Stage 0 – "Primal or Undifferentiated" faith (birth to 2 years), is characterized by an early learning of the safety of their environment (i.e. warm, safe and secure vs. hurt, neglect and abuse). If consistent nurture is experienced, one will develop a sense of trust and safety about the universe and the divine. Conversely, negative experiences will cause one to develop distrust about the universe and the divine. Transition to the next stage begins with integration of thought and language which facilitates the use of symbols in speech and play.
Stage 1 – "Intuitive-Projective" faith (ages of three to seven), is characterized by the psyche's unprotected exposure to the Unconscious, and marked by a relative fluidity of thought patterns.[8] Religion is learned mainly through experiences, stories, images, and the people that one comes in contact with.
Stage 2 – "Mythic-Literal" faith (mostly in school children), is characterized by persons have a strong belief in the justice and reciprocity of the universe, and their deities are almost always anthropomorphic. During this time metaphors and symbolic language are often misunderstood and are taken literally.
Stage 3 – "Synthetic-Conventional" faith (arising in adolescence; aged 12 to adulthood), is characterized by conformity to authority and the religious development of a personal identity. Any conflicts with one's beliefs are ignored at this stage due to the fear of threat from inconsistencies.
Stage 4 – "Individuative-Reflective" faith (usually mid-twenties to late thirties), is a stage of angst and struggle. The individual takes personal responsibility for his or her beliefs and feelings. As one is able to reflect on one's own beliefs, there is an openness to a new complexity of faith, but this also increases the awareness of conflicts in one's belief.
Stage 5 – "Conjunctive" faith (mid-life crisis), acknowledges paradox and transcendence relating reality behind the symbols of inherited systems. The individual resolves conflicts from previous stages by a complex understanding of a multidimensional, interdependent "truth" that cannot be explained by any particular statement.
Stage 6 – "Universalizing" faith, or what some might call "enlightenment". The individual would treat any person with compassion as he or she views people as from a universal community, and should be treated with universal principles of love and justice.
Empirical research
Fowler's model has inspired a considerable body of empirical research into faith development, although little of such research was ever conducted by Fowler himself. A useful tool here has been Gary Leak's Faith Development Scale, or FDS, which has been subject to factor analysis by Leak.[9] For criticism see Developmental approaches to religion.
Publications
Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning (1981) ISBN0-06-062866-9
Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development and Christian Faith (1984) (revised 1999 ISBN0-7879-5134-X)
To See the Kingdom: The Theological Vision of H. Richard Niebuhr (1974), ISBN978-0-687-42300-2
^ abFreightman, C. G. (October 22, 2015). . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dunwoody, Georgia: Cox Media Group. p. B6. ISSN 1539-7459. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
Downs, Perry G. (1994). Teaching for Spiritual Growth: An Introduction to Christian Education. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN978-0-310-59370-6.
Evans, Nancy; Forney, Deanna; Guido, Florence; Patton, Lori; Renn, Kristen (2010). Student Development in College: Theory, Research, and Practice (2nd ed.). San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass. ISBN978-0-7879-7809-9.
Leak, Gary K. (2008). "Factorial Validity of the Faith Development Scale". The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 18 (2): 123–131. doi:10.1080/10508610701879399. ISSN 1532-7582.
Osmer, Richard; Bridgers, Lynn (2018) [2015]. "James Fowler". Christian Educators of the 20th Century. La Mirada, California: Biola University. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
Wolski Conn, Joann, ed. (1986). Women's Spirituality: Resources for Christian Development. New York: Paulist Press.
Further reading
Fowler, James W. (1981). Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. San Francisco, California: Harper & Row. ISBN978-0-06-062840-6.
McDargh, John (2001). "Faith Development Theory and the Postmodern Problem of Foundations". International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 11 (3): 185–199. doi:10.1207/S15327582IJPR1103_05. ISSN 1532-7582.
Rothman, Stanley; Lichter, S. Robert; Nevitte, Neil (2005). "Fundamentals and Fundamentalists: A Reply to Ames et al". The Forum. 3 (2). Art. 8. doi:10.2202/1540-8884.1081. ISSN 1540-8884.
——— (2005). "Politics and Professional Advancement Among College Faculty". The Forum. 3 (1). Art. 2. doi:10.2202/1540-8884.1067. ISSN 1540-8884.
Streib, Heinz (2001). "The Symposium on Faith Development Theory and the Modern Paradigm". International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 11 (3): 141–142. doi:10.1207/S15327582IJPR1103_01. ISSN 1532-7582.
Wulff, David M. (1997). Psychology of Religion: Classic and Contemporary (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley. ISBN978-0-471-03706-4.
Zastrow, Charles; Kirst-Ashman, Karen (2007). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Belmont, California: Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN978-0-495-00622-0.
External links
James W.Fowler page at Emory Center for Ethics
Craig R. Dykstra "Transformation in Faith and Morals" Theology Today39(1)
james, fowler, james, william, fowler, 1940, 2015, american, theologian, professor, theology, human, development, emory, university, director, both, center, research, faith, moral, development, center, ethics, until, retired, 2005, minister, united, methodist,. James William Fowler III 1940 2015 was an American theologian who was Professor of Theology and Human Development at Emory University He was director of both the Center for Research on Faith and Moral Development and the Center for Ethics until he retired in 2005 He was a minister in the United Methodist Church 4 5 Fowler is best known for his book Stages of Faith published in 1981 in which he sought to develop the idea of a developmental process in human faith The ReverendJames W FowlerBornJames William Fowler III 1940 10 12 October 12 1940Reidsville North Carolina USDiedOctober 16 2015 2015 10 16 aged 75 SpouseLurline Fowler 1 Ecclesiastical careerReligionChristianity Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist ChurchAcademic backgroundAlma materDuke UniversityDrew UniversityHarvard UniversityThesisThe Development and Expression of the Conviction of the Sovereignty of God in H Richard Niebur s Thought 1971 InfluencesErik Erikson 1 Immanuel Kant 2 H Richard Niebuhr 3 Paul Tillich 2 Academic workDisciplineReligious studiestheologySub disciplinePsychology of religionInstitutionsEmory UniversityNotable worksStages of Faith 1981 Notable ideasStages of faith development Contents 1 Life and career 2 Stages of faith 2 1 Description of the stages 3 Empirical research 4 Publications 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Footnotes 6 2 Bibliography 7 Further reading 8 External linksLife and career EditFowler was born in Reidsville North Carolina on October 12 1940 the son of a Methodist minister 4 In 1977 Fowler was appointed Associate Professor of Theology and Human Development at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University 1 He was later named Charles Howard Candler Professor of Theology and Human Development 1 6 He died on October 16 2015 1 Stages of faith EditHe is best known for his book Stages of Faith 1981 in which he sought to develop the idea of a developmental process in human faith 5 These stages of faith development were along the lines of Jean Piaget s theory of cognitive development and Lawrence Kohlberg s stages of moral development 7 In the book Fowler describes 6 stages of development Description of the stages Edit No Fowler Age Piaget0 UndifferentiatedFaith 0 2 years Sensoric motorical1 Intuitive Projective 2 7 years Pre operational2 Mythic Literal 7 12 years Concrete operational3 Synthetic Conventional 12 years Formal operational4 Individual Reflective 21 years5 Conjunctive 35 years6 Universalizing 45 Stage 0 Primal or Undifferentiated faith birth to 2 years is characterized by an early learning of the safety of their environment i e warm safe and secure vs hurt neglect and abuse If consistent nurture is experienced one will develop a sense of trust and safety about the universe and the divine Conversely negative experiences will cause one to develop distrust about the universe and the divine Transition to the next stage begins with integration of thought and language which facilitates the use of symbols in speech and play Stage 1 Intuitive Projective faith ages of three to seven is characterized by the psyche s unprotected exposure to the Unconscious and marked by a relative fluidity of thought patterns 8 Religion is learned mainly through experiences stories images and the people that one comes in contact with Stage 2 Mythic Literal faith mostly in school children is characterized by persons have a strong belief in the justice and reciprocity of the universe and their deities are almost always anthropomorphic During this time metaphors and symbolic language are often misunderstood and are taken literally Stage 3 Synthetic Conventional faith arising in adolescence aged 12 to adulthood is characterized by conformity to authority and the religious development of a personal identity Any conflicts with one s beliefs are ignored at this stage due to the fear of threat from inconsistencies Stage 4 Individuative Reflective faith usually mid twenties to late thirties is a stage of angst and struggle The individual takes personal responsibility for his or her beliefs and feelings As one is able to reflect on one s own beliefs there is an openness to a new complexity of faith but this also increases the awareness of conflicts in one s belief Stage 5 Conjunctive faith mid life crisis acknowledges paradox and transcendence relating reality behind the symbols of inherited systems The individual resolves conflicts from previous stages by a complex understanding of a multidimensional interdependent truth that cannot be explained by any particular statement Stage 6 Universalizing faith or what some might call enlightenment The individual would treat any person with compassion as he or she views people as from a universal community and should be treated with universal principles of love and justice Empirical research EditFowler s model has inspired a considerable body of empirical research into faith development although little of such research was ever conducted by Fowler himself A useful tool here has been Gary Leak s Faith Development Scale or FDS which has been subject to factor analysis by Leak 9 For criticism see Developmental approaches to religion Publications EditStages of Faith The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning 1981 ISBN 0 06 062866 9 Becoming Adult Becoming Christian Adult Development and Christian Faith 1984 revised 1999 ISBN 0 7879 5134 X To See the Kingdom The Theological Vision of H Richard Niebuhr 1974 ISBN 978 0 687 42300 2 Faith Development and Pastoral Care 1987 ISBN 0 8006 1739 8 Weaving the New Creation Stages of Faith and the Public Church 1991 ISBN 0 06 062845 6 Faithful Change The Personal and Public Challenges of Postmodern Life 1996 ISBN 978 0 687 01730 0See also EditJean Piaget Theory of cognitive development Erik Erikson Erikson s stages of psychosocial development Lawrence Kohlberg Kohlberg s stages of moral development Developmental psychology Developmental stage theories Psychology of religion Integral theory Ken Wilber References EditFootnotes Edit a b c d e Osmer amp Bridgers 2018 a b Downs 1994 p 114 Downs 1994 p 114 Osmer amp Bridgers 2018 a b Freightman C G October 22 2015 James W Fowler 75 Theologian Author Embodied the Faith He Studied The Atlanta Journal Constitution Dunwoody Georgia Cox Media Group p B6 ISSN 1539 7459 Archived from the original on March 4 2016 Retrieved August 26 2020 a b Evans et al 2010 p 196 James W Fowler Emory Centre for Ethics Atlanta Emory University Retrieved August 27 2020 Evans et al 2010 pp 196 197 Wolski Conn 1986 pp 226 232 Leak 2008 Bibliography Edit Downs Perry G 1994 Teaching for Spiritual Growth An Introduction to Christian Education Grand Rapids Michigan Zondervan Publishing House ISBN 978 0 310 59370 6 Evans Nancy Forney Deanna Guido Florence Patton Lori Renn Kristen 2010 Student Development in College Theory Research and Practice 2nd ed San Francisco California Jossey Bass ISBN 978 0 7879 7809 9 Leak Gary K 2008 Factorial Validity of the Faith Development Scale The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 18 2 123 131 doi 10 1080 10508610701879399 ISSN 1532 7582 Osmer Richard Bridgers Lynn 2018 2015 James Fowler Christian Educators of the 20th Century La Mirada California Biola University Retrieved August 27 2020 Wolski Conn Joann ed 1986 Women s Spirituality Resources for Christian Development New York Paulist Press Further reading EditFowler James W 1981 Stages of Faith The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning San Francisco California Harper amp Row ISBN 978 0 06 062840 6 McDargh John 2001 Faith Development Theory and the Postmodern Problem of Foundations International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 11 3 185 199 doi 10 1207 S15327582IJPR1103 05 ISSN 1532 7582 Rothman Stanley Lichter S Robert Nevitte Neil 2005 Fundamentals and Fundamentalists A Reply to Ames et al The Forum 3 2 Art 8 doi 10 2202 1540 8884 1081 ISSN 1540 8884 2005 Politics and Professional Advancement Among College Faculty The Forum 3 1 Art 2 doi 10 2202 1540 8884 1067 ISSN 1540 8884 Streib Heinz 2001 The Symposium on Faith Development Theory and the Modern Paradigm International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 11 3 141 142 doi 10 1207 S15327582IJPR1103 01 ISSN 1532 7582 Wulff David M 1997 Psychology of Religion Classic and Contemporary 2nd ed New York Wiley ISBN 978 0 471 03706 4 Zastrow Charles Kirst Ashman Karen 2007 Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmont California Thomson Brooks Cole ISBN 978 0 495 00622 0 External links EditJames W Fowler page at Emory Center for Ethics A synopsis of Fowler s Stages of Faith Consciousness Craig R Dykstra Transformation in Faith and Morals Theology Today 39 1 James Fowler s Stages of Faith in Profile 1 AwardsPreceded byPaul R Fleischman Oskar Pfister Award1994 Succeeded byPrakash Desai Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James W Fowler amp oldid 1124237207, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
