Fowler's Theory of Faith Development: An Evaluative Discussion

Jardine, Marlene M.; Viljoen, H.G.

doi:10.1080/0034408920870108

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Although the theory has generated lively critical scholarly response from psychologists and theologians (e.g., Coyle 2011;Heywood 2008;McDargh 2001), it represented a major breakthrough in the integration of religion and psychology (Jardine and Viljoen 1992). In bringing together important features of several developmental models, namely those of Piaget (1967), Erikson (1950), Kohlberg (1981) and Selman (1976), Fowler has situated faith development squarely within the domain of human developmental processes, in the same way that Gladwin et al (1995) have situated the management of sustainable development as a process of achieving human development.…”

Section: Phases Of Faith Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Role of Faith in Sustainability Management: A Conceptual Model and Research Agenda

Martinez

2017

J Bus Ethics

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The objective of this article is to develop a faith development perspective on corporate sustainability. A firm's management of sustainability is arguably determined by the way decision-makers relate to the other and the natural environment, and this relationship is fundamentally shaped by faith. This study advances theoretical understanding of the approach managers take on sustainability issues by explaining how four distinct phases of faith development-improvidence, obedience, irreverence and providence-determine a manager's disposition towards sustainability. Combining insights from intentional and relational faith development theories, the analysis reveals that a manager's faith disposition can be measured according to four interrelated process criteria: (1) connectivity as a measure of a manager's actual engagement and activities aimed at relating to sustainability; (2) inclusivity as a measure of who and what is included or excluded in a manager's moral consideration; (3) emotional affinity as a measure of a manager's sensitivity and affection towards the well-being of others and ecological welfare; and (4) reciprocity as a measure of the degree to which a manager is rewarded for responding to the needs and concerns of 'Others', mainly in the form of a positive emotional (and relational) stimulus. The conceptual model consolidates earlier scholarly works on the psychological drivers of sustainability management by illuminating our search for a process of faith development that connects with an increasingly complex understanding of the role of business in society.

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Section: Phases Of Faith Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Role of Faith in Sustainability Management: A Conceptual Model and Research Agenda

Martinez

2017

J Bus Ethics

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“…Only a brief sketch is offered here. It also is not the purpose of this article to address the myriad of questions concerning the adequacy of Fowler's theory (e.g., Broughton, 1986;Day, 200l;Jardin & Viljoen, 1992;McBride, 1976;Nelson & Aleshire, 1986;Parks 1991;Streib, 2001Streib, , 2005. Those interested in the ongoing debate about Fowler's way of conceptualizing faith should consult the collections in Dykstra and Parks (1986), Astley and Francis (1992), and a recent issue of the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion (Streib, 2001).…”

Section: Fowler's Theory Of Faith Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite its attempts to attend to affective and relational dimensions of faith, the nature of the FDI is better attuned to uncovering the cognitive dimensions of faith, perhaps because the FDI attempts to cover these latter structures via reflections (cf. Broughton, 1986: Fernhout, 1986Jardin & Viljoen, 1992). The heavy focus of the current scoring guide on the structural elements of faith also tends to favor the cognitive elements of faith development for stage determination.…”

Section: Structures Of Faithmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Faith Development

Parker

2006

Journal of Psychology and Theology

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James Fowler's theory of faith development has had a significant influence on religious education, pastoral care, and developmental psychology. Since he introduced the notion of faith “stages,” there have been several attempts to measure these, beginning with Fowler's own work. This article reviews and evaluates the adequacy of the various instruments used to measure Fowler's theory of faith development.

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