I have been revisiting Fowler's theories about stages of faith. Through hundreds of interviews Fowler was able to determine that people of all religions go through similar stages of faith. The bottom-line is that when we are "saved" we begin a progressive and predictable journey toward Christ-likeness. Communities also seem to go through a similar pattern, as evidenced by Israel. So, these stages become guides and tools of where individuals and communities are in their spiritual growth toward Christ-likeness.

The really interesting part is that the last two stages, Conjunctive and Universal, are evidenced by a detachment from the groups where "faith" has taken place, and a increasingly singular faith in God. My first thought was that the institutional church has a vested interest in not helping people reach these last two levels of faith! I asked Prof. Thompson about this theory and he smiled and said, "People who reach these levels of faith cause pastor's a lot of trouble." People in these stages of faith begin to challenge the pastor's/denomination's teachings, practices and motives. These people will either choose to live in the conflict of their consciousness and commitments, or they will leave and forego their commitments to seek the "deeper life."

Thompson believes individuals, groups and churches go through each of the faith stages. The stages cannot be skipped. The stages are progressive, and some stages may be permanent, depending on the conditions of spiritual growth. Additionally, Fowler believes that the advanced stages are a result of cooperation with the Spirit. Therefore, these stages portray ways in which God intends to call individuals, groups and churches to maturity of knowing, moral development. Israel (the nation) and Jesus (an individual) are representative of the process.

Looking deeper into these stages, I can definitely see my own journey and those of people I am journeying with... I can also see more clearly the stage of faith of my church....


Primal Stage – Genesis – Birth Stories of Jesus – Decision to be a Christ-follower
 Represents maximum human dependency; maximum care by others, including God.
 Genesis - The beginning of Salvation History for the Hebrew/Israelite/Jew.
 Jesus birth.
 Decision is made to follow Christ.

Intuitive-Projective – Call of Fathers(Creeds) – Journey to/from Egypt – Romance/Setting Apart
 Babies learn that “others” are out there, with whom to interact.
 Call of Abraham and the verbally repeated in Israel’s creeds of Duet. 6:20-25 and Duet. 26::5-10. Call of Abraham and Egyptian slavery.
 Jesus journeys to and from Egypt. (Math. 2:14-15)
 The follower learns that he is “called” and “set apart,” but is still largely dependent on “other people like him.” This is often a time of joy and bliss.

Mythic-Literal – Exodus, Sinai Stories – Jesus Returns to Nazareth - Non-negotiable Faith
 One learns stories and ways of acting which define one’s family and group identity.
 Stories of the Exodus and Sinai celebrated in Passover and the Feast of Weeks form Israel’s identity as a nation/people and develop a national consciousness.
 Jesus returns to Nazareth. (Math. 2:19-23)
 The follower begins to take on the stories, beliefs and observances that symbolize belonging to the community. Beliefs and morality are appropriated with literal interpretations.

Synthetic-Conventional – Wandering and Conquest – Jesus Grows and is Baptized – Loyalty to Group
 Loyalties to persons or groups from the core of one’s identity. Strong attachment to ideals and rules.
 Israel begins to establish the parameters of what it means to be God’s people in the 40 years of wandering and the conquest of Israel. This is reinforced in Sukkoth (Feast of Booths) and Bar Mitzpha.
 Jesus “grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.” (Lk. 2:40) Jesus is Bar Mitzphad (Lk. 2:42ff.)
 The follower experiences a synthesis of Church, Bible, stories, and experience to form faith. Faith is likely to be “rule based” with strong identification with a particular group/church.

Individuative-Reflective – Davidic Covenant and Prophetic Movement – Jesus’ Ministry and Death – Awareness of Other Faiths Persons develop skills for dealing with theirs and others faith and ideas.
 King David’s ambassadors bring other cultural ideas to Israel (Solomon’s wives).
 Jesus’ ministry challenges the social, economic and religious practices of contemporary Judaism. (Parable of the Good Samaritan – Be a Jew, but act like a Samaritan.)
 The follower becomes aware of, examines, and deals with the contradictions and ramifications of other faiths and beliefs.

Conjunctive Faith – Sabbath - Messianic Promise – Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Final Return of Jesus – Reconciliation of Faith
 Emotional, behavioral, societal and religious opposites and contradictions meet and are reconciled.
 Israel’s concept of the Sabbath is the weekly meeting in the presence of God for prayer and thought.
 Jesus’ death, Resurrection, Ascension and Return are the ultimate reconciliation of all Creation.
 The follower’s faith insists on humility, based on the fact that the grasp on ultimate truth that any tradition can offer needs continual correction and challenge. The follower may also acknowledge that paradox and apparent contradictions are intrinsic to that truth. Deep faith to a particular tradition, with openness to the truths of other traditions.

Universalizing Faith – Eschaton - Eternal Kingdom
 Oneness with God. Possible tension with the religious system as consciousness and commitments, love and loyalties conflict.
 Jesus’ exists as the eternal ultimate reality, the Reconciler of all things.
 The follower experiences a “radical decentration of self,” widening inclusiveness of the circle that counts as “neighbors”. The follower experiences a radical shift in values as a detachment from causes, institutions, persons and posessions is replaces with love for the Creator. Manifests the fruits of “kenosis,” the “pouring out” or emptying of self. Total and pervasive response to God’s love.
 Fowler suggest that a very small percentage of people actually attain this level of faith. He suggest Gandhi as an example.