Relating Faith Development and Religious Styles: Reflections in Light of Apostasy from Religious Fundamentalism

Author: Adam, Raoul J.¹

Source: Archive for the Psychology of Religion / Archiv für Religionspychologie, Volume 30, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 201-231(31)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This paper provides a relational analysis of James Fowler's (1981) Faith Development Theory (FDT) and Heinz Streib's (2001) Religious Styles Perspective (RSP) in light of a recent study of apostasy from religious fundamentalisms. Empirical support is provided for both theories. RSP is endorsed as a more encompassing theory of religious development which accounts for more contingencies than FDT. However, FDT is subsumed rather than superseded by RSP as a powerful lens through which to observe cognitive dimensions of religious development. The paper introduces an integrative paradigm, phenomenological empiricism, to conceptualise a complementary relationship between FDT and RSP as key theories in the future study of religious development.

Keywords: FAITH DEVELOPMENT THEORY; RELIGIOUS STYLES PERSPECTIVE; APOSTASY; RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM; PHENOMENOLOGICAL EMPIRICISM

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1163/157361208X317204

Affiliations: 1: School of Education, James Cook University, Australia;, Email: Raoul.Adam@jcu.edu.au

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