Beyond the Fjords: Norway’s Need for the Gospel

The Post-Modern West is littered with the remnants of a civilization that was founded upon the beliefs and values established in Scripture, with God at its center. This is the reality for many European nations, especially a nation like Norway. Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Her towering mountains and deep fjords inspire a sense of awe and wonder, demonstrating the majesty of God at every turn. In response to this, Christians in Norway constructed churches to gather and worship the Triune God of the Bible.

It is believed that Christianity first spread to Norway in the 800s. The first Christian King of Norway is believed to be King Olaf Tryggvason in the late 990s. For centuries, Norway thrived as a nation rooted in God and the advancement of human rights. Yet, in recent decades, Norwegian culture, and Scandinavia as a whole, have all but abandoned God. The churches that once rang with the voices of the faithful have been converted into archaic museums. A region that is often regarded as one of the happiest in the world. ¹ also engages in eugenics by systematically aborting virtually every person diagnosed with Down syndrome while he or she is still in the womb. ² Thus, one must ask how a region of the world blessed with immense wealth and resources could also be home to one of the highest numbers of atheists per capita in the world. ³ I believe the answer is that the Gospel was discarded in favor of the prideful embrace of human enlightenment.

I spent time serving in Norway as a missionary shortly after graduating from high school. I was blessed with the opportunity to live in a beautiful country rich in culture and among a people who appeared cold and distant at first but opened their hearts and homes with a great display of hospitality.

I saw a country that once worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ as God. Norway has a strong focus on family, and every Sunday, as well as the weeks surrounding Christmas and Easter, the entire country essentially shuts down so that people can enjoy time with family and friends. There is also a strong emphasis on supporting one another. Norwegians feel deeply connected to one another’s well-being and growth through a robust social safety net and infrastructure that promotes human flourishing.

These beliefs find their roots in Christian values. For centuries, the Church was the center of the community and served as a bastion of freedom and hope in a literally dark, cold world.

I remember that a few years ago, I attended a friend’s wedding in Norway. The church where the wedding was held was over 700 years old and bore the marks of its age. It was clear that thousands of people over the course of hundreds of years had called that building home. We know that the church is not the building, but rather the people of God who join together in covenant community to worship Him and share the gospel. However, if we view these empty buildings as an indication of the state of the church in Norway, we can see how many in Scandinavia have turned from God.

Many see Christianity as nothing more than an ancient faith that was useful in its time but no longer serves the interests of the people or is necessary for a thriving life.

In recent decades, church membership in the State Church of Norway has become a social norm rather than a display of connection to fellow believers. Children are baptized and confirmed in the church and are even taught the Bible while growing up in school. However, it is not taught as the inerrant and authoritative Word of God, but as another book in a long list of influential texts.

This abandonment of the Gospel in the West is alarming. People can easily feel that because life is good, due to a high social progress index and a stellar quality of life, God is not needed. This is the human condition and should not be surprising.

Yet our response to this ought not to be passivism, but rather devoted prayer and meaningful work in these beautiful countries so that they may once again hear the name of Christ proclaimed. It is hard work and often can take years to see fruit.

So many people in Norway say to me and to other Christians, “Okay, well, I’m glad Christianity works for you, but it’s just not for me. I’m happy with what I believe.” Non-Christians in Norway and other Scandinavian countries do not see the danger of their sinful ways and coast through their entire lives on the hope that “being a good person” will be enough to atone for their sins against God and His holy law.

They often believe that God will let them into Heaven not on the basis of His grace and their repentance, but rather because they have done enough perceived good.

Thankfully, the Lord is already at work in Norway. When I lived there, I had the chance to work with some truly amazing people who faithfully love the Lord and their country. Organizations like Laget, a youth-focused organization that seeks to share the gospel on school campuses, and The Send, a multi-denominational organization that coordinates evangelism and worship events in Norway, do great work to spread the gospel.

For the reader who has never considered Scandinavia (see the map above), I would encourage you to pray for this region of the world. It is full of history, culture, and people who long for purpose and direction but do not know their Creator. Pray that the Lord will send people to serve in this region and that He will raise up leaders from within to faithfully proclaim the gospel and provide real, meaningful hope to people who wander in search of a deeper, richer life.

Nothing would bring me greater joy than seeing Norway sing praises to God once again and know Jesus intimately. It takes time and a genuine love for the people. The cold winters and long months of darkness take a toll on the body, but the joy that comes in the morning is made so much sweeter with God at the center of a person’s life.

The whole earth longs for its Creator; therefore, we must make disciples of all nations, for the songs sung in Heaven will be sung in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and all the languages of Scandinavia.