Recognizing the Wall: A Journey Through Spiritual Stages

Spiritual maturity can be understood through a six-stage theory, where many Christians in America often remain stagnant at stage three, which focuses on a productive life of service. The critical transition occurs at the wall, an experience of profound pain or suffering that serves as a theological crisis or dark night of the soul. Rather than confronting this wall and advancing through stages four, five, and six—marked by inward exploration, outward love, and the second half of life—many individuals in the deconstruction movement tend to retreat from their faith. This highlights the challenge of navigating spiritual growth in the face of personal crises.