Recent Norwegian Church History

The 1800s have traditionally been one of three main areas for Norwegian church history research – in addition to the MIddle Ages and the Reformation. In time, the investigation of recent Norwegian church history has also been extended to the twentieth century. The Faculty of Theology currently has three permanent positions addressing this particular research area.

The 19th and 20th centuries in Norway saw the transition to modernity and the breaking up of a Protestant homogeneity. The position of the Church of Norway changes from being an exclusive to a privileged, if disputed, state- and folk church. Within the church, the formation of organizations and home mission activities come to play an important role in the century from around 1850 to 1950, and leads to the influence of conservative and low-church elements over church life and theology. At the same time, the official church is thrust towards a democratic structural transformation through a gradual church re-organization.

Activity amongst organizations was modern in expression, but often conservative with regard to theological content. The Christian organizations made space for an increased activity for women in church. This was the case not least in connection to the growth of mission and philanthropy. Diaconal work was one area where women could attain a role in church and society on an independent basis. The most disputed issue within the church was the question of whether women could be priests. Women’s role in church and society often gained a symbolic function as an expression of morality in society.

The worldview debate and the criticism of church, in particular in the middle of the 1900s, concerned both dogmatic positions and ethical foundations. Christianity was accused of being oppressive and life-denying. And the twentieth century was characterized by an increasing secularization and a more privatized form of religion.

The contrast to this can be found to some extent in the changes Norway underwent in the direction of a more multi-religious and multi-cultural society in the final decades of the 1900s. This development has led to a more self-reflective and dialogical theological practice, but also to struggles between religions and between the more secular religious expressions and the more orthodox.

Permanent staff connected to the research area:

• Hallgeir Elstad, Professor
• Berge Ragnar Furre, Senior Professor
• Ingun Montgomery, Senior Professor
• Øyvind Norderval, Professor
• Tarald Rasmussen, Professor
• Dag Thorkildsen, Professor
• Aud V. Tønnessen, Professor

Research fellows connected to the research area:

• Dr. Birgitte Lerheim