Fowler's stages of Faith Development

Fowler's stages of Faith Development

1. Intuitive-Projective 2. Mythical-Literal 3. Synthetic-Conventional 4. Individuative-Reflective 5. Conjunctive Faith 6. Universalizing Faith

Intuitive-Projective

Stage 1: Preschool Children fantasy and reality often get mixed together most basic ideas about God are usually picked up from our parents and/or society.

Mythic-Literal

Stage 2: school-age start understanding the world in more logical ways generally accept the stories told to them by their faith community but tend to understand them in very literal ways some remain in this stage through adulthood

Synthetic-Conventional

Stage 3: Teenagers (generally) life has grown to include several different social circles and there is a need to pull it all together usually adopts some sort of all-encompassing belief system people tend to have a hard time seeing outside their box and don't recognize that they are "inside" a belief system authority is usually placed in individuals or groups that represent one's beliefs Many people remain in this stage

Conjunctive Faith

Stage 4: Mid-Life Can reach sooner but rare the point when people begin to realize the limits of logic and start to accept the paradoxes in life begin to see life as a mystery and often return to sacred stories and symbols but this time without being stuck in a theological box

Individuative-Reflective

Stage 4: Young Adulthood people start seeing outside the box and realizing that there are other "boxes" begin to critically examine their beliefs on their own and often become disillusioned with their former faith

Universalizing Faith

Stage 6 Few people reach this stage. Those who do live their lives to the full in service of others without any real worries or doubts.