Article Title: Faith Development Theory and Christian Theological Faith
Author(s): Amina Tarrar & Syeda Salma Hasan
Institute(s): Department of Psychology, GC University Lahore
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2015, Vol. 13, No.2, 37-42
Correspondence Address: Amina Tarrar, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, GC University Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: amnah.tarar@gmail.com
Abstract
Faith Development Theory (FDT) is one of the rare perspectives in psychology, which has emerged as an interaction of theology and developmental theory. Influenced by the liberal theologians as Tillich (1957) Neibuhr (1950; 1961) and scholars of religion as W. C. Smith 1963; 1979; 1998) on the one hand, and developmental psychologists such as Piaget and Kolhberg who proposed cognitive and moral development theories (, Piaget, 1972; Piaget &Inhelder, 1969; Kohlberg, 1969; 1981) on the other, it has touched upon the most subjective and yet universal aspect of human psychology-faith. The objectives of the following discussion are to analyze how faith development theory can be related to Christian concept of faith in which it emerged, what are the similarities and differences, and what lessons can be learned from these comparisons for experiencing religious faith in a globalized world demanding tolerance and understanding of the spirit of religion behind its diverse forms.
Key words: Faith, FDT, theology, moral development
