Posted: September 5th, 2022

James Fowler’s “Stages of Faith”

James Fowler’s “Stages of Faith”
In 1981, James W. Fowler developed a model that explains the development of faith in a person’s life from childhood to adulthood. According to him, beliefs in the doctrines of religion grow overtime.
Stage 0: Primal Faith
It is also known as undifferentiated faith. Primal faith develops between birth and two years. Here the child is introduced to the surrounding, and they get to build images of God. These images affect their perspectives about religion in the future. The initial perception depends mostly on the care a child receives. The kid gets to know God as a supreme being who can either harm or protect them.
Stage 1: Intuitive-Reflective Faith
This stage is between the ages of two to six or seven years. Here a child develops language, and they can arrange ideas and experiences through speech and symbols. Children begin their religious education at this stage. They are not able to question what they hear, and they interpret the doctrines of religion from the perspective of the teacher. Fowler gave an example of a child he interviewed. The child described heaven as a place high in the sky, God, together with his son Jesus, the three wise men, and several saints live there.
Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith
Children at elementary school are at this stage. They can re-tell stories learned about religion, but they are not able to understand their inner meanings. According to research conducted by Fowler, some adults are at this stage. People at this stage strongly believe in the reciprocity of the universe.
Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith
This stage begins during the teenage years; between twelve and thirteen years. The teenagers focus mostly on building relationships outside the family setting. They view God as a supreme being who is compassionate, and they can confide in him. They seek guidance and support from him. Apart from establishing relationships, the children also question their thoughts as they pursue personal identity.

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith
The person begins to question their values, behaviors, and beliefs. Relationships are not valuable at this stage. Mostly, it starts in the late teens. However, some adults remain at this stage because it is challenging to break established behaviors, relationships, and lifestyles.
Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and Stage 6: Universalizing Faith
Conjunctive faith entails an in-depth analysis of traditions and myths that one had overlooked; it begins at the age of 35 to 40. Universalizing faith comprises of walking according to the teachings of religion. One focuses more on universal requirements rather than personal needs.
References
Eisenstein, Sister Ruth Ann. “Development of some models of God and suggested relationships to James Fowler’s stages of faith development.” Religious Education 73.6 (1978): 640-655.
Neuman, Michelle E. “Addressing children’s beliefs through Fowler’s stages of faith.” Journal of pediatric nursing 26.1 (2011): 44-50.

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