This week, I want to review a book I have read called- “stages of faith –the psychology of human development and the quest for meaning.” It’s from James W. Fowler. It has over 300 pages and are sectioned into 5 parts and having a total of 24 chapters. The whole book tries to go in-depth of the subject of faith. It talks about the different views and definitions of faith. It’s also about how faith in an anthropological perspective. I mainly read and studied part 2 and 4.
As for the whole overview of the book, it starts in part 1-“Human faith”. The whole part contained an in-depth explanation of the definition of what faith means. Also, how faith ties into religion, relationship, imagination and to each other. The author, for me, seemed to want a distinct separation between faith and belief. Even though it was hard for me to understand, he explained how faith is not necessarily tied to religion.
The part 2 of the book which is titled “Windows on human development: a fictional conversation” is very interesting. The author wrote as if there was a discussion between 3 individuals and a moderator on the subject of faith from birth to adulthood. The three individual were men who were very intelligent in their field of study about human development.
One was Erik Erikson who is a pathologist who emphasizes on human development and, also, how it connects to religion and faith. The other person was Jean Piaget. He is into genetic epistemology. He connects biology with philosophy. The other person is Lawrence Kohlberg. His study is on moral development. All of these three characters are used in this imaginary conversation. All three are talking about how a typical person, from birth to adulthood, develops mentally, physically and how he/she interacts with the world around them.
The first discussion was about Infancy which from ages 0-1.5. Piaget says 0 -18 months old has a very small and gradual self-awareness. The infant only begins to know itself and recognizing space and time. Also, beginning to be aware of distinct casual relationships( like noticing the mother). As for Erickson, he says he agrees to what Piaget says and adds, that the environment has a big influence on their awareness. He called it “trust and mistrust” stage. The next topic was on early childhood. Which were 2- 6 yrs. old. Piaget calls this stage “Preoperational or intuitive”. It’s the process of language and thought. The point he claims where states and feelings can be expressed. Also, being able to perceive their own perspective and the perspective of others. Kolberg calls this stage “Heteronomous morality and instrumental exchange”. This is a development of balancing their morality between self-interest and interests of others. Erikson says early child-hood is around ages 4-6 yrs. old. Which he called “Initiative vs. guilt” stage. It’s a point of physical maturation and mental growth. An emphasized self-centered awareness and experience of shame and guilt. The next topic was on childhood. Which are ages 7-12 yrs. old. Piaget says it’s around 6-7 yrs. old which he calls “Concrete operational”. A logical operation of thoughts occurs. Thoughts that try to stabilize the world around them and in their body(like physical coordination). Kohlberg says it’s around 7- 8 yrs. old is when the child starts to deal with moral judgments and moral dilemmas. They still focus on self-interest towards dealing with others, but, having a developing moral “filter” in their interaction. Erikson says it is around 6-7 yrs. old which he calls “Industry vs. Inferiority” stage. It’s a point in life where the child is figuring out his/her mental abilities to do work. Then they all talk about adolescence which is 13-21 yrs. old. Piaget calls this “formal operational” stage. It’s when the person develops more deeper thoughts in logic and reasoning. He calls it “thinking about thinking”. Kohlberg somewhat agrees to Piaget but adds the morality factor. Which are a person’s moral judgment and social perspective comes into development. In adulthood, which are 21-35 yrs. old. All of the three basically says that’s when a person finds their identity and is more developed psychically, mentally, and knowing their moral level and judgment. I think the author chose to put this in the book to show how development of humans affects their faith and world view.
The next part in the book is called “dynamics of faith and human development”. This part of the book is the how the author connects the previous chapters topic in concern of faith views and dynamics in human development.
Part 4 of the book “Stages of faith”, is an interesting perspective on faith views from child to adulthood. It has recorded interviews on each stage. It seems, to me, that each stage gets more complex or defined as the stage rises. The views on identity, God and beliefs get bigger and yet people want to make sense of it all to understand what life is all about. The part 5 of the book “formation and transformation in faith” deals with a woman’s conversion story, the stages of faiths relation with conversion, and theological faith.
The book is a heavy read but, it’s full of informative content and material to help a person know what people goes through in mental, physical, and social development in concerns of world views and faith views.
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