Six Stages of Faith

James Fowler’s stages of faith is a theory that describes how individuals develop and evolve their faith over time. According to Fowler, there are six stages of faith, each of which builds upon the previous stage:

Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – In this stage, which usually occurs during early childhood, a person’s understanding of God and the world is based on their imagination and the stories they have been told. They may see God as a kind of superhero who can do anything or as a powerful but punishing authority figure.

Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith – During this stage, which typically occurs in childhood and early adolescence, a person’s understanding of God becomes more concrete and focused on rules and rituals. They may see God as a moral authority who rewards or punishes based on adherence to specific rules or beliefs.

Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith – In this stage, which usually begins in adolescence, a person begins to develop a more personal relationship with God, often through belonging to a particular religious community. They may see God as a loving parent or friend and rely on religious authority figures for guidance.

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith – In this stage, which typically occurs in young adulthood, a person begins to question and evaluate their beliefs and values, often resulting in a more personal and nuanced understanding of God. They may see God as a more complex and mysterious presence in their life.

Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith – During this stage, which often occurs in midlife, a person seeks to integrate their personal beliefs and experiences with the larger spiritual and philosophical traditions. They may embrace paradox and mystery and see God as a unifying force that transcends individual beliefs and experiences.

Stage 6: Universalizing Faith – In this final stage, which is relatively rare, a person’s faith transcends individual beliefs and values to embrace a universal and unconditional love for all beings. They may see God as a force for social justice and equality and seek to live out their faith through service and activism.