Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [6]

The last stage within Fowler's analysis of the development faith is what he calls universalising, Jamieson goes with 'The Saint'.

It is acknowledged that this is the most difficult stage to tie down, perhaps in that faith of this kind is very rare. Faith culminates into a relationship marked by selflessness with God and His creation. Fowler calls this a 'decentration from self', Jamieson talks about self being removed from the centre or the focus of an individuals life. Reflecting Gethsemane, a shift in motivation away from the usual obsessions of life results from a deep and nuanced acceptance of the ultimate authority of God and is often embodied to commitment to higher Kingdom causes as seen in the lives of of such people as Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Jamieson points out that perhaps this stage is better described through poetry, he could be right Anna Laetitia Waring in song 485 could be right too.

In service which thy love appoints
There are no bonds for me;
My secret heart is taught the truth
That makes thy children free:
A life of self-renouncing love
Is one of liberty.

Anna Laetitia Waring (1823-1910)


Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [1]
Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [2]
Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [3]
Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [4]
Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [5]

Jamieson, A. (2002). A Churchless Faith. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press

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