Gustaf Aulén

Gustaf Emanuel Hildebrand Aulén (b. May 15, 1879 in Ljungby parish, Kalmar county, Sweden), was the Bishop of Strängnäs in the Church of Sweden from 1933 to 1952.Aulén was born to Rev. F.J. Aulén and Maria Hildebrand. He married Kristine Björnstad in 1907.

Aulén is the acclaimed author of "Christus Victor: A Historical Study of the Three Main Types of the Idea of Atonement" in 1931. This work analyzes the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus, suggesting that the three main interpretations in Christian history are the Christus Victor theory, the Satisfaction theory, and the Moral Exemplar theory. Theology Today reports that most modern discussion of atonement theory harkens back to Aulén for its categories [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3664/is_199510/ai_n8728504/pg_4] .

In this work, Aulén states that he is reintroducing the "classic idea of the atonement," the Christus Victor theory. He says it is the only authentically Christian view of the doctrine. He argued that the Satisfaction theory was only fully articulated by Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th century, and the Moral Exemplar theory, finding its genesis in Peter Abelard, has been popularized by 19th and 20th century liberal theologians. The Christus Victor theory is described as a battle. He writes: Its central theme is the idea of the Atonement as a Divine conflict and victory; Christ -- Christus Victor -- fights against and triumphs over the evil powers of the world, the 'tyrants' under which mankind is in bondage and suffering, and in Him God reconciles the world to Himself.

Aulén also authored "The Faith of the Christian Church" and "Reformation And Catholicity."

Gustaf Aulén was an avid composer contributing profusely to the Swedish hymnbook. He was the president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music 1944–1950.

In 1975 Aulén authored an autobiography "Från mina nittiosex år : hänt och tänkt" ("My ninety-six years : happenings and thoughts"). After this book (which was thought to be his last), he yet authored another one a year later - this time about liturgical music.

Aulén died in December 16 1977 at the age of 98.

Studies and career

* Uppsala University:
**Candidate of Philosophy 1899
**Licenciate of Theology 1906
**Doctor of Theology 1915

**Lecturer of Theological Encyclopedia 1907
**Lecturer of Dogmatism 1910

*Lund University:
**Professor of Systematic Theology 1913

*Bishop of the Diocese of Strängnäs 1933

References

Citation
last = Aulén
first = Gustaf
year = 1951
title = Christus Victor
edition = first
publisher = MacMillan
isbn = 1592443303

¹ Young, P.D., "Beyond Moral Influence to an Atoning Life," Theology Today, Oct. 1995.