Stages of faith

Faith - like life - is a journey of growth, development, becoming. There are a number of clearly discernible phases or stages to the faith journey which mirror the stages of human psychological development from infant to adult. I think this is a really important subject because so many intra / interdenominational battles and misunderstandings stem merely from people being on different stages of their journeys.

Actually, it doesn't have to be faith - these stages can apply to any ideology or worldview, including atheism. Whole countries and cultures can also exhibit these stages - for example, a revolutionary culture is at 'stage 3' as described below.

Again, this is sadly not my idea - I think M. Scott Peck came up with it, but I like reinventing the wheel - it lets me think things out for myself. So where my version differs from his, I'm sure his is right.

Stage 1 - blissful/chaotic
This equates to the baby/infant stage of development. In faith terms, this is the 'childlike' new convert - often full of blissful excitement and joy (and occasionally deep despair), and with tremendous faith, but with little understanding and responsibility and few limits. In terms of faith streams, this seems to relate most closely to the charismatic/pentecostal. In butterfly life-cycle terms, this is the newly-emerged caterpillar.

Stage 2 - fundamentalist
This equates to the toddler/child stage of development. At this stage there is a need for strict limits and consequences, and a strong sense of binaries of right/wrong, true/false, in/out, us/them, black/white. The fundamentalist stage is characterised by a degree of rigidity, dogmatism, legalism, exclusivity and literal-mindedness.

In terms of faith streams, this stage often goes with - but is not limited to - evangelicalism, particularly the more extreme end. In butterfly terms, this is the confining pupa/chrysalis. It's a vital if not always appealing stage of development, and those who are going through it deserve more tolerance than they often receive (or give).

It's worth noting that it's perfectly possible to be a fundamentalist atheist. It's also possible to be a mild and fluffy fundy - not all who hold strong and strict beliefs are intolerant bigots by any means.

Stage 3 - rebellious
This equates to the adolescent/teenage stage of development, where there is a need to rebel, to break free, to question and challenge all the rules, beliefs and authorities that were previously accepted on trust. This stage can be characterised by tremendous idealism but also violent iconoclasm, sometimes with a total rejection of earlier beliefs. People entering this phase can behave like new (anti-)converts, zealously opposing the faith they previously held. Often the stricter and more rigid the preceding fundamentalism, the stronger the rebellion against it - those whose 'stage 2' was milder and more open are less likely to turn their backs on it so violently.

In faith streams, this stage probably relates most closely to the activist / social justice stream. It also often relates to the liberal end of the fundamentalist/liberal polarity, in stark contrast to stage 2. In butterfly terms, this is the breaking out from the pupa.

Stage 4 - settled sceptic
This equates to the emerging adult phase, where rebellious adolescent idealisms gradually give way to a more reasonable, settled scepticism. At this stage there may be a gradual return of faith for those who have lost it, but it will usually be to a steadier, more rational and tolerant kind of faith.

This stage may relate to the milder, more moderate forms of evangelicalism and sacramentalism. In the butterfly life-cycle, this is the period of resting and drying of wings before taking flight.

Stage 5 - mature mystic/contemplative
This is the stage of mature adulthood, and in faith terms it is marked by a deepening of faith but often in a more open and mystical, less dogmatic and doctrinal form, less wedded to certainties and correct interpretations. In some ways it can look a little like the unboundaried childish faith of stage 1, but now it is because the boundaries have been fully internalised and can now be transcended. This is the butterfly taking flight.

The transition to stage 5 is, I think, often marked by the 'long dark night of the soul' experience, a period of darkness, doubt, discontent, even near despair before the dawn of a new and deeper faith.

People in stages 1 and 2 are apt to think that those in stages 3 and 4 have lost or compromised their faith. Though this may be true, in most cases they are simply at a different stage of the faith journey.

A few more points about the 'stages'. Firstly, it's quite common to miss out stages in development, though I think it's preferable to go through all the stages. It's also quite possible to remain stuck in a stage for many years or even the whole of life. Secondly, we can actually be in different stages at the same time but in different areas of our life - so I may be in stage 2 in my attitudes to sexual morality, at stage 3 in my prayer life, and stage 4 in my attitude to money. Thirdly, we may need to repeat some or all of the earlier stages again later. It's quite possible to slip back from stage 5 to stage 4 or even 2, and then have to go through part of the process again.

And finally, development never ends in this life.