FAITH DEVELOPMENT AND FOWLER
FAITH DEVELOPMENT AND FOWLER
edited by Craig Dykstra and Sharon Parks
Summary:
This book is
most probably the finest examination of the theory and research developed by
James Fowler. It offers a careful examination of all the various aspects of
Fowler’s faith development theory, and also provides careful critiques of this
theory. It explores in depth the nature and meaning of faith, and as such is
eminently useful for persons working in the helping professions.
Spirit of the
Book:
This
book gives you not only the technical aspects of James Fowler’s faith
development theory, but also, and just as important, the basic feel and inner
understanding of what growth in faith is all about.
What this Book Gives You: This comprehensive volume gives you virtually everything you need to know about Fowler’s groundbreaking theory and research on faith development. The book consists of five major parts, all of which enrich your understanding of Fowler’s work: (1) the nature and structure of faith; (2) evaluating faith development theory; (3) enhancing faith development; (4) using faith for more effective use in ministry and other helping professions; (5) a key updating of Fowler’s position written by James Fowler.
Distinctiveness: Why this Book is Special: One of the most distinctive features of this book is its combination of coverage and balance. In terms of coverage, this wonderful book gives you a splendid overview of all the major facets of Fowler’s theory of faith development. In terms of balance, this book gives you the singular contributions of Fowler’s theory, and additdionally gives you some helpful and incisive critiques of faith development à la Fowler.
Major Features:Among the many features of this book are: (1) Fowler’s interpretation of faith as that which gives fundamental meaning to life; (2) faith as an existential process which develops in distinct stages; (3) ways in which persons can discover the stage of faith in which they currently are; (4) ways in which persons can advance from one stage of faith to the next higher stage of faith: (5) practical applications of faith development theory to pastoral ministry, religious education, and all kinds of helping professions.
Chapters
1. Faith and Structuring of meaning
2. What is Faith?
3.Where is Faith?; Searching for the Core
4. The Political Psychology of Faith Development Theory
5. Personal Completion and Faith Development
6. Imagination and Spirit in Faith Development; Moving Beyond Structure-
Content Dichotomy
7. H. Richard Niebuhr’s Influence on Faith Development Theory
8. Research in Faith Development
9. Faith Development and the Requirements of Care
10. Faith Development and Pastoral Diagnosis
11. Faith Development and Religious Education
12.
Dialogue Toward a future in Faith Development Studies
Praise for this Book:
“This illuminating book offers a lucid presentation by James Fowler of his influential theory of faith development. The volume also provides a variety of penetrating appraisals of Fowler’s theory by scholars from various fields. These appraisals, together with Fowler’s carefully reasoned reactions to them, represent a major sep in the continued ripening of faith development theory”
—LAWRENCE KOHLBERG, Harvard University, author of the multivolume series Essays in Moral Development
“I found myself avidly reading this book line-for-line. Each chapter lured me to the next. I finished it with q great sense of reward and enthusiasm. This book is the definitive one for exploring the development of faith.”
—WAYNE E. OATES, University of Louisville; author of Psychology of Religion
“This book goes a long way in promoting ‘development’ in the use of Fowler’s work.”
—THOMAS H. GROOME, Boston College; author of Christian Religious Education
“This volume is an uncommonly valuable piece. The issues it treats are urgent for religious reality.”
—WALTER E. BRUGGEMANN, Columbia Theological Seminary; author of Genesis.
“This book is good! Leaders engaged in all facets of the church’s ministry, especially pastoral counseling and religious education, will benefit significantly if they attend to this careful, clarifying, and stimulating work.”
—SARA LITTLE, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia; author of To Set One’s Heart.
“This book does an outstanding service in focusing some of the fundamental theological, psychological, and developmental issues which have remained obscure in Fowler’s theory. The results are often very creative, clarifying, and, at points, trenchantly critical.”
—JAMES E. LODER, Princeton Theological Seminary; author of The Transforming Moment.
Price and
Such:
322 pages List
Price: $24.95 ISBN 0-89135-056-X