Ole Hallesby

Ole Hallesby
Ole Kristian Hallesby
Born 5 August 1879(1879-08-05)
Aremark, Norway
Died 22 November 1961(1961-11-22) (aged 82)
Occupation theologian, ethicist, teacher, preacher, writer
Nationality Norway

Ole Kristian Hallesby (5 August 1879 - 22 November 1961) was an influential conservative Norwegian Lutheran pietist who taught at the Free Faculty of Theology from 1909 to 1952.

An outspoken opponent of the Nazi occupation of Norway, he was arrested and detained at Grini concentration camp for two years (until the end of the war).

During a razzia in November 1948 it was revealed that the already-imprisoned Nazi agents, Gard Holtskog, Sten Blom Westberg and Hans Johann Krijom, were about to fabricate a document which probably was supposed to tie Hallesby to the Nazis.[1]

Hallesby wrote 67 books, mostly on theology and ethics, but is known for devotional writings.

Contents

Hell debate

In 1953, a radio speech by Hallesby caused a major debate in Norway on the existence of hell. In the speech, Hallesby spoke to the non-religious that if "you fell dead to the floor this moment, you fall at the same time into hell", and "how can you who is unconverted lie down calmly to sleep at night, you who don't know if you'll wake up in your bed or in hell?"[2]

The speech was condemned on the front page of Dagbladet the following day, and criticisms were raised against NRK for hosting Hallesby's speech. NRK responded that since there was a state church, they had to accept it as it was.

Within the church, the debate ignited a conflict between liberal and literal interpretations of the Bible. The bishop of Hamar Kristian Schjelderup was the main spokesperson for the liberal side who argued that the damnation of hell was incompatible with a religion of love. Most of the church supported Hallesby's view of hell, though some did not support the wording in his speech.

The debate also brought up questions whether there ought to be a state church. The debate may also have catalyzed the formation of the Norwegian Humanist Association.[3]

Bibliography (US editions)

  • The Christian Life: In The Light of the Cross (1922)
  • Infant baptism and adult conversion: An exposition of the relation between… (1924)
  • Why I Am A Christian (1925)
  • The Christian Home (1926)
  • Prayer (1931)
  • Conscience (1933)
  • Under His Wings (1933, 3rd ed.)
  • God's Word For Today: A Devotional Book For The Home (1937)
  • Religious or Christian (1939)
  • Temperament & the Christian Faith (1962, reprint)

See also

External links

  • The Inferno - Monday, Mar. 01, 1954 Time Magazine article about Ole Hallesby

References

  1. ^ Fjørtoft, Kjell (1997) (in Norwegian). Oppgjøret som ikke tok slutt. Oslo: Gyldendal. pp. 154–155. ISBN 82-05-24493-6. 
  2. ^ Århundrets Hvem Hva Hvor, published 1999 by Schibsted ISBN 82-516-1759-6
  3. ^ Da helvete var løs ("When hell was loose") Op-ed by Prof. Paul Knutsen in Dagbladet, January 25, 2003 (Norwegian)


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