Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development and Christian Faith

Explore Yourself–in Spirit and Faith

In this updated reissue of his 1984 classic, James Fowler–author of the bestselling Stages of Faith–applies his groundbreaking research on the development of faith to Christianity. Grounded in developmental psychology, theology, and practical ethics, Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian shows how communities of shared beliefs can support and nurture individuals as they shape themselves, and are shaped, in spirit and faith. In his revised first chapter Fowler locates his approach to the study of human and faith development in relation to the contemporary conversation about identity and selfhood in postmodernity. Fowler invites readers to explore what it means to find and claim vocation: a purpose for one′s life that is part of the purposes of God. Reclaiming covenant and vocation as ideals for responsible, mature, Christian selfhood, Fowler shows how a dynamic understanding of what vocation involves can both inform and transform lives.

Introduction.

ADULT DEVELOPMENT THEORIES AND THE CRISIS OF VOCATION.

The Crisis in Vocational Ideals.

Images of Good Man/Good Woman in Ferment.

From "Ideological Tepee" to Proteus: Continuity and Change.

Adult Developmental Theorists as Philosophers and Gossips.

DEVELOPMENTALISTS AS PHILOSOPHERS AND GOSSIPS.

Developmentalists as Philosophers and Gossips (E. Erikson).

Toward Generative Adulthood (D. Levinson).

Seasons and Wisdom (C. Gilligan).

TWO PATHS TO RESONSIBLE SELFHOOD.

Faith Development Theory and the Human Vocation.

Taking Stock.

Faith, A Focus for Research.

Stages of Faith and Human Becoming.

FAITH DEVELOPMENT THEORY AND THE HUMAN VOCATION.

Adulthood, Vocation, and the Christian Story.

The Christian Classic and Its Narrative Structure.

Christian Faith and the Human Vocation.

The Challenge of Vocation.

Vocation vs. Destiny, or Beyond Self–Actualization.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND ADULTHOOD.

Self and Others: From Destiny to Vocation.

Vocational Existence and Christian Community.

The Christian Story, Passion, and Affections.

Virtues and Vocation.

BECOMGING ADULT, BECOMING CHRISTIAN.

Studies in Vocation.

Vocation and the Stories of Our Lives.

Development and Conversion.

Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian.

Acknowledgments.

Index.

JAMES W. FOWLER is Charles Howard Candler professor of theology and human development and director of Emory University′s Center for Ethics in Public Policy and the Professions.

"Here we have Fowler′s own and explicitly Christian word on the interface of faith development research and the particularity of Christian covenant/vocation. A gift to us and an invaluable resource." ––Thomas H. Groome, professor of theology and religious education, Boston College

"No one, we believe, has provided more valuable scientific findings and theoretical formulations for those whose care for others is focused principally on the growth of the spirit, and of the person as a whole, than James. W. Fowler." ––James J. Gill, editor–in–chief, Human Development

"Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian is an excellent resource for pastoral ministers and religious educators, offering practical insights based upon solid research." ––Barbara J. Fleischer, director, Loyola Institute for Ministry, Loyola University