Simone Lawson
N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Danish history and played a significant role in shaping modern Danish national consciousness. Grundtvig's theological views and writings, such as his emphasis on the authority of 'the living word' and his interpretation of Christianity as a historical revelation, have had a lasting impact on Lutheran theology and hymn-writing. His book, 'What Constitutes Authentic Christianity', published in 1985, likely explores his unique perspective on Christianity and its interplay with Danish culture and history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Christianity as a historical revelation | Unbroken chain of a living sacramental tradition at baptism and communion |
| The authority of the 'living word' | Congregation as a living community of Christians |
| Congregation | Independent, self-organizing |
| Education | Popular, autonomous places of learning |
| Hymn-writing | "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage" and "Det kimer nu til julefest" |
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What You'll Learn
N. F. S. Grundvig's Christian awakening in 1810
N. F. S. Grundtvig, born Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig, was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Danish history, as his philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in the last half of the 19th century.
In 1810, Grundtvig underwent a "Christian awakening" or a religious crisis, which led him to convert to a strongly held Lutheranism. He retired to his father's country parish in Udby as his chaplain. This new conviction was expressed in his "The First World Chronicle" or "Kort Begreb af Verdens Krønike i Sammenhæng" in 1812, where he attempted to explain how belief in God has been viewed throughout history and criticized the ideology of many prominent Danes. The book caused him to lose several friends and gained him notoriety among his peers.
In 1811, after a spiritual and emotional conflict, Grundtvig became his father's curate. His first attempt to write history from a Christian standpoint, "Verdens krønike" or "World Chronicle" (1812), attracted much attention. From 1813 until 1821, his criticism of the rationalist tendencies predominant in Denmark's Lutheran church made it impossible for him to find a pastorate. In his poems and writings during this period, he called for a renewal of the spirit of Martin Luther and foreshadowed Søren Kierkegaard's opposition to Romantic philosophers.
Grundtvig's theological development continued over his lifetime and took several important turns. He moved from his initial "Christian awakening" to believing in a congregational and sacramental form of Christianity in his later years. He always identified as a pastor rather than a theologian, reflecting the distance between his ideas and academic theology. The chief characteristic of his theology was the substitution of the authority of the "living word" for the apostolic commentaries. He desired each congregation to act as an independent community.
Grundtvig's obsession with the pre-Christian Scandinavian faith, known as ""Forn Siðr" or "the old customs," lasted throughout his life. He coined the name "Asatro" or "Asetro" for this faith, which can be interpreted as "the Aesir faith" or "loyal to the Aesir." His focus on education led him to advocate for the reform of the Sorø Academy into a popular school with a different form of higher education than what was common at universities. He believed that universities should educate students for active participation in society and popular life, including practical skills and knowledge of national poetry and history.
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Grundvig's view of the Church as a living community of Christians
N. F. S. Grundtvig, the influential Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician, played a significant role in shaping modern Danish national consciousness. His theology and philosophy had a profound impact on Danish society and culture.
Grundtvig's view of the Church as a living community of Christians evolved throughout his life. Initially ordained as a Lutheran pastor, he underwent a religious crisis in 1810, leading him to embrace a strong form of Lutheranism. He retired to his father's parish in Udby, where he served as a chaplain and began to express his newfound convictions.
Over time, Grundtvig's theology continued to develop. He moved away from a solely Bible-centric view of the Church and towards a more congregational and sacramental understanding of Christianity. He argued for the authority of 'the living word', seeing it not as formal instruction but as the spiritual communication of 'truth', which evoked an active response in the listener. This concept of the 'living word' extended beyond the classroom, influencing community life and the folk high school movement he helped inspire.
Grundtvig's experience at the church in Christianshavn further shaped his views. He believed that the Church was not merely founded on the Bible but was a living community of Christians. This perspective led him to emphasize the importance of independent, self-organizing congregations within the Church.
Grundtvig's theology and philosophy had a significant impact on Danish society and culture. His preaching attracted large congregations, and he soon gathered a dedicated following. His hymns also played a crucial role in shaping Danish church services, replacing orthodox Lutheran hymns with those of national poets.
Grundtvig's influence extended beyond theology to education and politics. He advocated for a form of higher education that prepared students for active participation in society, rather than solely producing learned scholars. Additionally, he became politically active, initially adopting a conservative stance before moving towards a more liberal and reforming position.
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His belief in the authority of 'the living word'
N. F. S. Grundtvig was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He is considered one of the most influential people in Danish history, as his philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in the last half of the 19th century.
Grundtvig's belief in the authority of the living word was a central tenet of his theology. He argued that the church was not founded on the Bible, but on a living community of Christians. This belief was shaped by his experience at the church of Christianshavn and his ongoing reflections. He saw the church as a dynamic and organic entity, where the interpretation and application of Scripture were not static but evolved as the community of believers grew and changed.
Grundtvig's emphasis on the living word also influenced his views on education. He advocated for popular, autonomous places of learning, which became known as folk high schools. He believed that education should equip students for active participation in society and popular life, rather than just producing learned scholars. This approach to education was designed to empower people to engage with and contribute to the democratic processes that were emerging in Denmark at the time.
Furthermore, Grundtvig's belief in the living word also found expression in his hymn writing. He wrote or translated about 1500 hymns, including "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage," which reflects his emphasis on the dynamic and living nature of God's word in the lives of believers. These hymns had a significant impact on Danish church services, replacing the slow measures of the orthodox Lutherans with more engaging and accessible music.
Grundtvig's belief in the authority of the living word was also evident in his preaching. He was known for his polemical writing style and abrasive behaviour, which often got him into trouble with the religious authorities of his time. His trial sermon, "Wherefore hath the Word of the Lord vanished from His House?", was a scathing critique of the contemporary clergy for betraying the message of the Christian gospel. Despite the controversy it caused, this sermon demonstrated Grundtvig's commitment to proclaiming what he saw as the true, living word of God, unfiltered and uncompromised.
In summary, Grundtvig's belief in the authority of the living word was a foundational aspect of his theology and philosophy. It shaped his views on the nature of the church, education, hymn writing, and preaching, and it continues to influence Christian thought and practice in Denmark and beyond.
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His contribution to Lutheran theology
N. F. S. Grundtvig is considered one of the most significant figures in Danish history. His contribution to Lutheran theology stimulated considerable debate. Grundtvig's theology developed over his lifetime, taking several important turns.
In 1810, Grundtvig underwent a religious crisis and converted to a strongly held Lutheranism. He retired to his father's country parish in Udby as his chaplain. His newfound conviction was expressed in his "The First World Chronicle" of 1812, a presentation of European history in which he attempted to explain how belief in God has been viewed throughout history. He criticised the ideology of many prominent Danes, which won him notoriety and cost him several friends.
From 1813 to 1821, Grundtvig's criticism of the rationalist tendencies of Denmark's Lutheran church made it impossible for him to find a pastorate. In poems such as Roskilde-Riim and other collections, he called for a renewal of the spirit of Martin Luther. In 1825, he was the central figure in a church controversy when he accused the theologian H.N. Clausen of treating Christianity as merely a philosophical idea. Grundtvig maintained that Christianity was a historical revelation, handed down by the unbroken chain of a living sacramental tradition at baptism and communion. His writings were placed under censorship, and in 1826 he resigned his pastorate.
Grundtvig's obsession with the pre-Christian Scandinavian faith lasted throughout his life. He advocated for the authority of 'the living word' and for the organisation of the church through independent, self-organising congregations. He believed that the 'lower orders' needed education to participate in the new advisory assemblies. In later life, he became pastor to the church of Vartov hospital in Copenhagen, serving there from 1839 until his death in 1872. In 1861, he received the titular rank of Bishop in the Church of Denmark.
Grundtvig is also remembered for his hymn writing, leaving a legacy of several hundred hymns, including "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage" and "Det kimer nu til julefest". His "Song Collection for the Danish Church" contains new versions of traditional Christian hymns, as well as numerous original hymns, many of which are well known in Norwegian, Swedish, German, and English translations.
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His influence on modern Danish national consciousness
N. F. S. Grundtvig is considered one of the most influential people in Danish history, playing a significant role in shaping modern Danish national consciousness. His philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in the latter half of the 19th century, deeply rooted in national literature and spirituality.
Grundtvig's influence on modern Danish national consciousness can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, he advocated for the separation of state and church, a stance that influenced the formation of free churches alongside the Danish Lutheran Church. This perspective contributed to a diverse religious landscape in Denmark, accommodating various forms of human consciousness and spiritual expression.
Secondly, Grundtvig's ideas on education were transformative. He championed the concept of reforming academic institutions to focus on preparing students for active participation in society and popular life, rather than solely producing learned scholars. This vision aligned with his belief in the importance of educating the general population, which helped foster a sense of national identity and pride among the Danish people.
Additionally, Grundtvig's literary contributions, including his writings and approximately 1500 hymns, left an indelible mark on Danish culture. His works, including "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage" and "Det kimer nu til julefest", resonated deeply with Danes and became integral to their cultural and spiritual identity.
Furthermore, Grundtvig's political involvement during the Danish Golden Age was significant. He participated in the Danish Constituent Assembly that drafted Denmark's first constitution in 1848, and his evolving theological perspectives, from his "'Christian awakening'" in 1810 to his later belief in congregational and sacramental Christianity, influenced his political stance. By the 1840s, he had evolved from a conservative into an absolute liberal, and his political ideas continue to be referenced in contemporary debates on "Danishness" and "Danish culture."
Lastly, Grundtvig's influence extended beyond politics and religion to Danish sport culture. The initial profile of modern Danish sports in the nineteenth century was influenced by rural farmers' culture, urban bourgeois culture, and workers' culture. Over time, this profile evolved under the influence of reform movements, cultural radicalism, and welfare culture, all of which bore the imprint of Grundtvig's ideas.
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Frequently asked questions
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig.
Grundtvig was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician.
Grundtvig was a staunch Christian with an obsession with the pre-Christian Scandinavian faith. He believed that Christianity was a historical revelation, handed down by the unbroken chain of a living sacramental tradition at baptism and communion. He also advocated for the authority of 'the living word' and for the organisation of the church through independent, self-organising congregations.
Grundtvig is considered one of the most significant figures in Danish history. He was influential in formulating modern Danish national consciousness and his writings contributed to a new form of nationalism in the last half of the 19th century. He is also known for his hymn writing, leaving a legacy of several hundred hymns that continue to be used in Danish church services.
