Luther and Norwegian Nation-Building

Abstract

In most Protestant countries, the Reformation was closely connected to the development of vernacular languages and literatures. In Norway under Danish rule, this was not the case. Only in the 19th century, during the nation-building period of independent Norway, a Norwegian ecclesiastical language was developed. Some authors claim that this completed the Reformation in Norway – a protracted Reformation indeed. Particularly important were the hymns of Magnus Brostrup Landstad and Elias Blix.
 This study examines the role of Luther in the Norwegian 19th century national discourse, suggesting a three-phase development: Luther as text, as inspiration, and as argument. The full-blown use of Luther as argument was taken up by proponents of a nynorsk ecclesiastical language only during the final years of the Swedish-Norwegian union, just before its dissolution in 1905.

Linguistic Repertoires: Modeling Variation in Input and Production: A Case Study on American Speakers of Heritage Norwegian

“…Ethnicity played a significant role in finding a spouse, enforced by religion, as most Norwegian-Americans were Lutherans. Unlike Swedish immigrants, who spread across different denominations, Norwegian immigrants remained strictly Lutheran, to the extent that Lutheranism became an expression of Norwegian ethnicity in the Midwest (Joranger 2010;Aschim 2019). Aschim further notes that "the correct doctrinal Lutheranism was a matter of contention" and "by 1876, Norwegian immigrants could choose between five different competing Norwegian-language Lutheran church bodies" (cf.…”

Livnende stoff, elementers lengsel

“…Blix inntar en saerskilt plass i norsk sang-kanon; den nynorske salmediktningens fader synges langt utenfor kirkas vegger (Aschim 2019; for Blix' biografi se Aschim 2008). Før hans Nokre Salmar ble autorisert for kirkelig bruk i 1892, hadde norske menigheter i prinsippet aldri stemt opp på landsmål (nynorsk).…”