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 percepti

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n's faith develops, they decide which contents of the cumulative tradition remain helpful and relevant. Fowler's conclusion of Smith's argument echoes his own conclusion of the direction and development of personal faith. He states that Smith knows his account of the way faith works is idealistic (Fowler 10). Rather than the dynamic and progressive relationship Smith outlines, the relationship between faith, life, and religion has become problematic for many people today. Given the continuous and progressive detachment of modern people from themselves and each other, cumulative traditions have less impact on their lives than they have had in the past. Consequently, faith today struggles to be formed and maintained in many persons who feel they have no usable access to any viable cumulative tradition (Fowler 10). The Stages of Faith Fowler's argument concerning the progressive stages of the development of human faith is the heart of his book. His theory is strongly rooted in the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, particularly Freud's concepts of the ego, the conscious, and the unconscious. Fowler argues that we begin our journey toward the development of our faith in the infancy stage (119). He maintains that fro

Category: Philosophy - S