Critical Responses to Faith Development Theory: A Useful Agenda for Change?

• Published in: Archive for the psychology of religion Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 281 - 298
• Main Author: Coyle, Adrian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Brill 01.01.2011; BRILL
• Subjects: Archives; Cognitive psychology; CONCEPTUAL ARTICLE; Development theory; Developmental psychology theories; Faith; faith development theory; Identity; meaning-making; process models; Psychodynamics; Psychology of religion; religious development; Spiritual belief systems; stage structure; Theology
• ISSN: 0084-6724; 1573-6121
• DOI: 10.1163/157361211X608162

Summary Since it was first presented, James Fowler's faith development theory has proven influential in pastoral care and counselling, pastoral and practical theology, spiritual direction, and Christian education. However, it has also been subject to substantial critical evaluation. This article reviews the major themes within psychological critiques and considers the agenda provided by these critiques for the theory's future development. Critical themes concern Fowler's understanding of "faith"; the theory's structural "logic of development"; its overemphasis on cognition and lack of attention to (emotional/psychodynamic dimensions as) processes of transition and transformation; its gender bias and cultural specificity; and its purported difficulty in accommodating postmodern trends in psychology. To address these critiques in a meaningful way, there is a need to embrace alternative existing theories of faith development and spiritual/religious change, to construct a radically revised, process-focused version of faith development theory, and to continue to develop new localized process models of faith development.