Extending Our Vision of Developmental Growth and Engaging in Empirical Scrutiny: Proposals for the Future of Faith Development Theory

This article evaluates the portrait of faith development theory and research in James Fowler’s article, “Faith Development at 30.” Questions are raised: Does Fowler’s emphasis on the practical-theological and pastoral focus of faith development contradict its aspiration and disposition for empirical scrutiny? Does Fowler’s principal concern with the reactions from Christian theologians and religious educators indicate disregard of and from psychology? Both questions can be denied with reference to the large amount of research projects which use and apply the faith development perspective. The article suggests further engagement in theory discussion, methodological clarification and empirical research; it invites networking among researchers and indicates future research strategies. But also the practical-theological relevance of faith development theory, especially for religious education, are demonstrated with reference to recent research. The article concludes, in agreement with Fowler, with a proposal to notice the importance of the Conjunctive Faith style for social bodies, and to include this in religious education. With the latter, the article moves beyond a wide-spread faith development application and argues against the false assumption as if children and adolescents could not understand and consider Conjunctive Faith. It is an honor for me to be invited to respond to James Fowler’s article in this journal issue. However, it is a challenge to keep my response brief, while commenting on at least some of the issues raised by this comprehensive narrative account of faith development’s past and future. I shall highlight some new insights that the text offers or to which it draws fresh attention. I will expand on them and take them forward to proposals for the future of faith development theory that I regard as critical and decisive: empirical scrutiny and the enlargement of our vision of developmental growth. Religious Education Copyright C © The Religious Education Association Vol. 99 No. 4 Fall 2004 ISSN: 0034–4087 print DOI: 10.1080/00344080490519913