Fowler's Faith Development Theory as a Frame for Religious Education

Abstract Psychologists have stated helpful models for understanding cognitive, behavioral and psychological development, but Dr. James W. Fowler a theologian noted that there arent any specific models dealing with faith development. He built his theory on the foundations laid by the developmental theories Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg plus the theological discussions of faith by Tillich, Niebuhr, and Smith and called his theory as faith development spaces. Fowler’s model emerged as he listened to the life stories of 357 individuals interviewed between 1972 to 1981. After several interviewing, fowler concluded that faith development, that is, growth in meaning making, is a universal, human phenomenon. It is somehow innate and Instinctive. Fowler demonstrated that faith development follows a predictable, cognitive, conceptual and development trajectory. Although this theory has been considered by many international researchers, but the complexity of this theory has led to a lot of theoretical, ethical and practical challenges. Because this theory remains very obsolete in Iran, this review article attempts to provide a better understanding of this theory. So At first the definition of faith according to fowler is presented, then the stages of faith development is studied in detail and ultimately the criticisms of this theory has been proposed. It seems that the theory Which includes one pre Phase and six Phase, be helpful As a framework for Codification religious- faith Development theory In accordance to Islamic teachings.