Top Banner
Faith Beyond Belief Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey Toward Faith Presented by Margaret Placentra Johnston Author of FAITH BEYOND BELIEF Stories of Good People Who Left Their Church Behind (Quest Books, 2012) 1
56

Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Jul 18, 2018

Download

Documents

donhan
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Faith Beyond Belief –

Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey Toward Faith

Presented by Margaret Placentra Johnston

Author of

FAITH BEYOND BELIEF

Stories of Good People Who Left Their Church Behind (Quest Books, 2012)

1

Page 2: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Book

GOLD WINNER of the 2013 NAUTILUS BOOK AWARD in Religion/spirituality

2

Page 3: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Session One

Introduction

to

Faith Development

3

Page 4: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Own Story Why I moved away from conventional belief

4

Page 5: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Own Story Why I moved away from conventional belief

How I spent many years estranged from all forms of religion

5

Page 6: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Own Story Why I moved away from conventional belief

How I spent many years estranged from all forms of religion

What happened when I learned about the stages

6

Page 7: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Own Story Why I moved away from conventional belief

How I spent many years estranged from all forms of religion

What happened when I learned about the stages

The impression that the possibility of post-critical faith made on me

7

Page 8: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

My Own Story Why I moved away from conventional belief

How I spent many years estranged from all forms of religion

What happened when I learned about the stages

The impression that the possibility of post-critical faith made on me

How this perspective might help you

8

Page 9: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

I have called it Spiritual Development Theory, but many of you have studied it under other names. (Faith

development, etc.)

9

Page 10: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

In many cases you may have studied it as a theoretical possibility at the academic level, but did

not connect it to real lives of people in your congregation or out in the real world.

10

Page 11: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

In many cases you may have studied it as a theoretical possibility at the academic level, but did

not connect it to real lives of people in your congregation or out in the real world.

The stories in my book are real-life examples of the stages (as I understood the concept).

11

Page 12: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Many theorists have described this same concept.

12

Page 13: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Simplified into four “stages”

- Lawless

- Faithful

- Rational

- Mystic

13

Page 14: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless

- Faithful

- Rational – uninvolved in religion or atheist/agnostic, but principled = POST-religious

- Mystic

14

Page 15: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists.

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled

- Mystic

15

Page 16: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled.

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists.

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled

- Mystic

16

Page 17: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Most of the religion

that is explicit in our culture,

sounds like the Faithful stage,

as contrasted against the

Lawless stage.

17

Page 18: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literal

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled

- Mystic – religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful. Post-religious

18

Page 19: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Simplified into four “stages”

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled

- Mystic – religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful

19

Page 20: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory M. Scott Peck, Psychiatrist

Claimed he developed his stages through work with his own patients.

- Lawless – Stage I - Chaotic, Antisocial

- Faithful – Stage II - Formal, Institutional

- Rational – Stage III - Skeptic, Individual

- Mystic – Stage IV - Mystic, Communal

20

Page 21: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory M. Scott Peck, Psychiatrist

Claimed he developed his stages through work with his own patients.

- Lawless – Stage I - Chaotic, Antisocial

- Faithful – Stage II - Formal, Institutional

- Rational – Stage III - Skeptic, Individual

- Mystic – Stage IV - Mystic, Communal

21

Page 22: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory M. Scott Peck, Psychiatrist

Claimed he developed his stages through work with his own patients.

- Lawless – Stage I - Chaotic, Antisocial

- Faithful – Stage II - Formal, Institutional

- Rational – Stage III - Skeptic, Individual

- Mystic – Stage IV - Mystic, Communal

22

Page 23: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory M. Scott Peck, Psychiatrist

Claimed he developed his stages through work with his own patients.

- Lawless – Stage I - Chaotic, Antisocial

- Faithful – Stage II - Formal, Institutional

- Rational – Stage III - Skeptic, Individual

- Mystic – Stage IV - Mystic, Communal

23

Page 24: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory James Fowler, Professor of Theology

and Human Development at Emory University, ret’d.

Also United Methodist minister

Conducted formal interviews of 359 people, their faith stances rated and

categorized into six stages.

Stages of Faith:

The Psychology of Human Development

and the Quest for Meaning

24

Page 25: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler, Developmental Psychologist/Minister

Conducted formal studies

NOT the same as

Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – Egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal and

- Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

25

Page 26: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler, Developmental Psychologist/Minister

Conducted formal studies

Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – Egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal - Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

26

Page 27: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler, Developmental Psychologist/Minister

Conducted formal studies Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – Egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal

- Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

27

Page 28: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler, Developmental Psychologist/Minister

Conducted formal studies Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – Egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal

- Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

28

Page 29: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler, Developmental Psychologist/Minister

Conducted formal studies

Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – Egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal

- Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

29

Page 30: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Dr. James Fowler Lawless ≠ Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith – egocentric – typical ages 2 - 7

Faithful - Stage 2: Mythic, Literal

- Stage 3: Synthetic, Conventional

Rational - Stage 4: Individuative, Reflective

Mystic - Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith and

- Stage 6: Universalizing Faith 30

Page 31: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory Fritz K. Oser, Professor, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, ret’d. (and Paul

Gmünder)

Five stages of what they called Religious Judgement.

(no correlation) Stage 1 “Orientation of Religious Heteronomy”

Faithful -Stage 2 “Do Ut Des” “Give so that you may receive.” (Reward and punishment oriented.)

Rational -Stage 3 “Orientation of Ego Autonomy.”(tends to push the “Ultimate” out of the world.)

Mystic -Stage 4 “Orientation of Mediated Autonomy,” (The Ultimate appears symbolically in nature, culture, and human capacities for love.)

Mystic -Stage 5 “Intersubjective Religious Orientation”

31

Page 32: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Popular Authors, New Agey

Ken Wilber, a modern-day philosopher

Twelve color stages. Individuals pass through same stages as cultures in general. First to suggest our culture

is evolving in a forward direction/transforming.

“Integral Spirituality”

Caroline Myss, a thought leader in human consciousness, spirituality

7 stages correlate with the chakras

32

Page 33: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Saint Teresa of Avila, 16th century Spanish mystic

The Interior Castle - 7 “mansions”

Both James Fowler’s

and Carolyn Myss’s stages

compare with Saint Teresa of Avila’s 7 Mansions

33

Page 34: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

- Rational - Critical Distance

- Mystic - Second Naïveté

34

Page 35: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

- Taboo

- Refuge

- Rational - Critical Distance

- Mystic - Second Naïveté

35

Page 36: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

Taboo (rules)

Refuge (protection)

- Rational - Critical Distance

- Mystic - Second Naïveté

36

Page 37: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

- Taboo

- Refuge

- The “corrupt parts of religion”

37

Page 38: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

- Rational - Critical Distance

- Mystic - Second Naïveté

38

Page 39: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté

- Rational - Critical Distance

- Mystic - Second Naïveté

39

Page 40: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Paul Ricoeur, French Philosopher

- Faithful - First Naïveté – Religion

- Rational - Critical Distance – Atheism

- Mystic - Second Naïveté – Faith Ricoeur, Paul. “Religion, Atheism, and Faith.” (Translated by Charles Freilich.) In The Conflict of Interpretations: Essays in Hermeneutics.

Edited by Don Ihde. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 2007.

40

Page 41: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Arguments against “Stage Theory”

41

Page 42: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled. Governed by own will – Egocentric

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literal.

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled.

- Mystic - religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful.

42

Page 43: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled – Egocentric

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists. Identity comes from belonging to a particular group – Ethnocentric

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled.

- Mystic - religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful.

43

Page 44: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled – Egocentric

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists. Identity comes from belonging to a particular group – Ethnocentric

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled. Have individualized, but identify with a larger part of the universe – Worldcentric

- Mystic - religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful.

44

Page 45: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

- Lawless – pre-religious – religion never took hold, chaotic, manipulative, unprincipled – Egocentric

- Faithful – traditionally religious, superficial rule-following, literalists. Identity comes from belonging to a particular group – Ethnocentric

- Rational – distanced from religion/atheist/agnostic, but principled. Have individualized, but identify with a larger part of the universe – Worldcentric

- Mystic - religious or spiritual but in a larger, deeper way than the Faithful. All inclusive – Universal

45

Page 46: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Spiritual growth: an expanding circle of concern, an expanding worldview:

Lawless – MYSELF - Egocentric

Faithful – MY GROUP - Ethnocentric

Rational – EVERYDAY REALITY - Worldcentric

Mystic – SEEN AND UNSEEN REALITY - Universal, all-inclusive, unitive.

46

Page 47: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Lawless Stage Issue Lawless Traits

Religious Attitude Disinterested or superficial interest only

Interpretive Style Self-centered

Locus of Authority One’s own will/unprincipled

Circle of Concern Self (egocentric)

Identity Selfish

Religious Community May join for own needs

Values Personal pleasure

View of “God” Self

Other Undeveloped, Manipulative, Insincere, Chaotic lifestyle

47

Page 48: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Faithful Stage Issue Faithful Traits Religious Attitude Needs definite answers

Interpretive Style Literal

Locus of Authority Oracle authority

Circle of Concern Own group (ethnocentric)

Identity Defined by group/divisive against outsiders

Religious Community The only “right” one

Values Security/Certainty/Comfort

View of “God” External, separate Being

Other Naïve Fear-based

48

Page 49: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Rational Stage Issue Rational Traits Religious Attitude Skeptical/seeks truth over comfort Interpretive Style Reason/Science-based Locus of Authority Conscience Authority/Principled Circle of Concern All humans/Social Justice

(worldcentric) Identity Individuated – but not selfish Religious Community Questioning/may reject Values Truth/Integrity View of “God” Science/Reason/Truth Other Critical/Seeking/Involved in social

causes

49

Page 50: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Mystic Stage Issue MysticTraits Religious Attitude Prefers Mystery/Seeks Unity over Truth

Interpretive Style Metaphorical

Locus of Authority Spirit Authority (Will of God/Order of the Universe)

Circle of Concern All that exists (Universal)

Identity Seeks community with all levels

Religious Community Chooses one (or more) from many acceptable possibilities

Values Unity

View of “God” Universal principle. Inner light/Love/Goodness/ALL

Other Second Naïveté Humility/Forgiveness/Gratitude/Compassion/Acceptance

50

Page 51: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Spiritual growth: an expanding circle

of inclusiveness,

an ever broader worldview:

- Lawless – MYSELF - Egocentric

- Faithful – MY GROUP - Ethnocentric

- Rational – EVERYDAY REALITY - Worldcentric

- Mystic – SEEN AND UNSEEN REALITY Universal, all-inclusive, unitive.

51

Page 52: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Two kinds of nonbeliever:

Lawless Rational

Unprincipled Principled

Own will Conscience-based

Ego-centric World-centric

Chaos Reason/science

Arrested development in a adult Development is advanced over conventional

understandings

52

Page 53: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory

Two kinds of nonbeliever - separated by subjecting oneself to the rules of society/church/institution/tribe.

Lawless Faithful Rational

Unprincipled Principled by group Principled from within

Own will Group rules Conscience-based

Ego-centric Ethno-centric World-centric

Chaos Rule-bound Reason/science

Arrested development Conventional Development is advanced over in an adult conventional understandings

53

Page 54: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory Two kinds of religious people:

Faithful Mystic

Believe literally “Believe” metaphorically

God as Outer Being God as Universal Concept

Security/comfort Unity

Certainty Mystery

54

Page 55: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Spiritual Development Theory Two religious stages are separated by the Rational Stage

Faithful Rational Mystic

Believe literally Questioning “Believe” metaphorically

God as an Outer Being Skepticism God as Universal Concept

Security/comfort Truth/integrity Unity

Certainty Reason Mystery

55

Page 56: Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations …esr.earlham.edu/sites/default/files/session01.pdf · Faith Beyond Belief – Accompanying Our Congregations on the Journey

Faith Beyond Belief! Two kinds of religious people:

Faithful Mystic

Believe literally “believe” metaphorically

God as outer Being God as Universal Concept

Security/comfort Unity

Certainty Mystery

Belief Faith

56