If you missed part 1, you may find it HERE.
While I am certain that over the years, there were genuine conversions to the faith once for all delivered to the saints, most historians describe many tales of forced conversions and baptisms. In such cases, it is better to write of the Christianization of the Scandinavians, than the evangelization of them. History has yet to convince me that there was a widespread understanding of the biblical gospel message and genuine repentance and faith. It appears that a great deal of nominal Christianity and syncretism existed.
Much of the Christianization was also the result of leaders professing to have become Christians and then declaring their domains Christian nations. Throughout this age, the wedding of the Church and the Crown was so strong that politics oftentimes fueled missionary activity.
According to Else Roesdahl, Denmark became officially Christian in 965 AD, then Norway by the beginning of the eleventh century, and finally Sweden during the eleventh century (The Vikings, 147). Many years before the official Christian declarations occurred, some Vikings received baptisms in other countries–when traveling abroad. Also, merchants and diplomatic envoys traveling through Scandinavian lands bore witness to the Christian faith. Scandinavians living in England, Ireland, and Scotland would return home to share their new faith with family and friends (158).
According to Roesdahl, the message of the Christian faith appealed to the Vikings for several reasons:
- God and Christ were seen as strong and good helpers.
- Monotheism was probably popular among many people who saw little use for their unhelpful gods.
- Missionaries were familiar with the Viking ways/customs and preached in the local language.
- Missionaries preached peace and mercy during the violent times.
- Missionaries lived out the Christian message before the people, especially by redeeming prisoners of war, slaves, and giving alms to the poor.
- The missionaries also preached man’s equality in the face of God.
- People were told that they were responsible for their actions before God.
Important points for thinking missiologically about our labors today:
I look forward to continue my readings about the missionaries labors among the Vikings. As we consider reaching contemporary “Vikings” in our Age, I want to share with you some points to ponder from those who served during the Viking Age.
- Many missionaries traveled to remote places, risking their lives to carry their message of hope.
- Local persecution of the missionaries occurred by the Scandinavians.
- The preaching of a culturally preferred message is often a sign that the true gospel is not being preached at all.
- Stories are written of signs and wonders preceding the conversions of some peoples.
- The migrations of peoples in and out of Scandinavia allowed for many to be exposed to the Christian faith.
- The professions of faith among significant leaders oftentimes opened opportunities for missionary labors to follow.
- Contextualization practices sometimes resulted in a syncretism of the Christian faith and local pagan faith traditions.
- Missionaries studied the culture of the peoples and preached in their language.
- It was common for the Church to enter into alliances with Kings, resulting in a simultaneous spreading of Christianity and Politics.
Here is a quick overview of the Viking Age from the BBC.
Here are some interesting short video clips from The History Channel on the Vikings.
For an unfortunate example of using Norris mythology as a precursor to telling the story of Adam and Eve see Here.
Much more could be written on this topic. Maybe you will consider conducting such research into the past to assist our contemporary missional labors?
What else can we learn from missionary labors among the Vikings? Also, don’t forget your history–remember, you are making it today!
