The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition (Paperback)

~ Janet O. Hagberg (Author), Robert A. Guelich (Author) "Spirituality may be the most misunderstood and misused term of our time..." (more)
Key Phrases: Journey Outward, Holy Spirit, New Age (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Critical Journey, at its core, is a description of the spiritual journey—our response to our faith in God with the resulting changes that follow. Four completely new chapters, applying the six stages to areas of ministry, church, and personal life, have been added, as well as a section of questions and answers. Many new resources for teaching and group leadership are now available through the author’s web page.

The Critical Journey, at its core, is a description of the spiritual journey—our response to our faith in God with the resulting changes that follow.

In this book the authors address the following issues: the struggle to find meaning and wholeness, the crisis of values and identity at mid-life, the quest for self-actualization, the healing of early religious experiences, questions about the spiritual journey.

The Critical Journey does not reveal exactly how or when we need to move along in our personal pilgrimages, nor does it offer formulas for spiritual growth. Rather, it describes six phases of the spiritual journey and illustrates how people act and think while in these stages.

This is an excellent guide for those who are wrestling with their faith and wondering how others have resolved their "dark nights of the soul."

About the Author

Janet O. Hagberg is an author, public speaker, spiritual director, and social activist. She has written seven books including The Inventurers, Real Power, Wrestling with Your Angels, and The Critical Journey. She is currently the Executive Director of The Silent Wit-ness Initiative. The organization’s goal is to eliminate domestic violence homicides by the year 2010.

Robert A. Guelich was professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. His previous publications include The Sermon on the Mount: A Critical-Historical Commentary; the Matthew volume in the New International Commentary series; the first of two volumes on Mark in the World Biblical Commentary series; and (as editor) Unity and Diversity in New Testament Theology: Festschrift for George Ladd. Robert Guelich died in 1991 of a heart attack.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Sheffield Publishing Company; 2nd edition (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879215497
• ISBN-13: 978-1879215498
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A life changing book., November 7, 2007

By	Connie Sherwood (Grand Forks, North Dakota USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have used this book with several study groups since I read it as required reading in Spiritual Direction training. It is a must read for any person who is ever unclear about the way different Christians respond to things. This books changed the way I view my life. It has shed so much light on my relationship with God. We were not meant to go through this journey of faith alone, and this book is the absolute best word on that subject.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overgeneralized, but excellent concepts, December 22, 2007

By	Laurie (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

I really liked this book as I read it. Upon further reflection, however, I am afraid I must disagree with its premise that everyone develops similarly in their faith. I read this for a class assignment, and as we discussed it, I saw people who would think they hit a stage at one point, but the point was so shallow that I am not sure it could really count. Especially among those who grew up in Christian homes, I noticed those who questioned their faith for a week or two, decided to just ignore all their questions and have faith anyways (when really, I think it is often just fear that what you were taught your entire life could be wrong), then proclaim they were in stage 5 as they no longer let little things from the world bother them. Yet I did not see any true substance to their faith becasue they just ignored everything they questioned. I know that probably sounds judgmental and is to some degree. Maybe I just hit "the wall" much harder than most people.

Also, I am not sure I want my faith to develop in the stage 5/6 descriptions they provided. I would rather a deeper faith for me to look like something else more grounded, but since I am not there yet, I do not know how to describe it. I apologize for my ambiguity.

I could not figure out how the authors ascertained that people go through stages and these were the stages and what they looked like. As they quoted no studies they performed or even any Bible to back their statements, I found it sounding nice but lacking. Anyways, I think it is worth a read just because it can explin why some people are on such radical different communication levels. I would actually think it somewhat describes personalities of faith instead of growth of faith, as I know many people who kind of move in and out of the "stages", yet seem to stay mostly in one or two. As we read and learn, we may put on another spiritual persona, but I don't think it has to go in any particular order (though it may). But it has helped me deal with my parents better, as I believe that they are correct in their assessment of certain stages annoying others.

Perhaps the authors' field was just too narrow in that maybe they chose people of just one generation or denomination or who became Christians before/after a certain age in which to study spiritual development. Don't know as they did not say (either that or I missed it, which is highly possible as I had much other reading at this time and skimmed certain parts).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a helpful assessment of spiritual growth, July 22, 2007

By	Dr. Gary R. Sweeten (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Janet Hagberg has written one of the most helpful books I know for Pastors and Christian Educators. Those of us who have searched wide and near for a complete model of growth and been disappointed with Rick Warren's truncated version will likely find The Critical Journey to be a better fit.

I am buying multiple copies and using them in my classes and coaching sessions. Her newest version is even better than the earlier copies.