To add to the discussion going on at Alan's blog, I'm reposting a summary of Fowler's Theory regarding the Stages of Faith. Fowler discovered these stages as he surveyed thousands of people from different religions. If I remember correctly, Fowler believes that once we are "saved" we enter a progressive and predictable journey toward Christ-likeness. You may not agree with that, but in looking at my own journey and the journey of others that I know, these stages seem accurate. I tried to summarize each stage with an example from the OT and the life of Jesus.

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 replaced 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 suggests Gandhi as an example.

• It is interesting to me that Fowler assumes that people in this stage of faith will remain in the institution and remain conflicted. I don't know if he realizes that there are many people who are choosing to leave the institution so that my may further their trust and faith in God.