Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Stages of Faith Introduction James Fowler stat

James Fowler states in Stages of Faith that central among the qualities that make and keep humans human is our capacity for trust and fidelity (292). Thus, his book is a theory of faith based on the structural-development perspective that defines the growth of faith in humans along certain highly formal stages. He argues that while his theory is not a theology, it provides a formally normative criteria for determining the adequacy and responsiveness of our particular traditions of faith (Fowler 292). Fowler essentially divorces faith from religion; rather, religion would appear to be a form of faith under his definition. His theory is instructive in the stages of human development and informative of the ways such development itself aids or hinders our development of a personal faith. His only apparent limitation is his clear belief that the development he describes is not subject to question.

The Manner of Our Faith: Tillich, Niebuhr, and Smith

Fowler begins his analysis of the manner of faith among humanity by studying the definitions of faith laid down by Paul Tillich, Richard Niebuhr, and Wilfred Cantwell Smith. However, he first establishes his own understanding of faith. Basically, he argues faith is not necessarily religious (Fowler 4). Rather, he sees faith as a person's or group's way of finding coherence in and giving meaning to the multiple forces and relations that make up our lives. Thus, our faith defines our perceptions of ourselves in relation to others based on a background of shared meaning and purpose (Fowler 4).

Paul Tillich's Dynamics of Faith was published in the 1950s, yet Fowler maintains it holds one of the most honest and clear analyses of faith. Fowler believes that traditionally we have been too ready to align faith with religion rather than analyzing faith as a basis for religion. He argues that Tillich performs such an analysis by pushing aside easy identifications of faith with reli...

Page 1 of 9 Next >

More on Stages of Faith Introduction James Fowler stat...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Stages of Faith Introduction James Fowler stat. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 01:15, March 19, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1708232.html