BELIEFS & COMMUNITY
Norwegian Lutheranism and the Church of Norway
Religious Values guide · Updated
Norwegian Lutheranism often refers to the Church of Norway, a church shaped by medieval Christianity, the Reformation and later revival movements. Its faith is Lutheran, with Scripture, the early creeds, the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Small Catechism as foundations. Norwegian Lutheran heritage also appears in churches outside Norway.
This profile focuses on the Church of Norway. An independent Norwegian church or an emigrant congregation may belong to a different body and follow different policies.
A national history and a Christian confession
The Church of Norway became Lutheran during the sixteenth-century Reformation. Its earlier Christian history and later movements of renewal both shaped parish life. The church describes its faith through the Bible and five confessional texts, including the three early Christian creeds. National history helps explain its place in society, but is not a separate Norwegian doctrine of God or salvation.[1][2]
Baptism and the Eucharist
The church identifies baptism and Eucharist as its two sacraments. Infant baptism is common, while older people can also prepare for baptism. Communion is celebrated in Sunday worship, with belief in Christ's presence. The church's public introduction invites those who wish to take part. A parish can explain local arrangements, instruction and how these practices connect with its wider Lutheran confession.[1]
Parish life and Norwegian heritage abroad
Worship, hymns and life events such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and funerals connect the church with many people's families and communities. Norwegian heritage abroad may preserve music or language without retaining the Church of Norway's institutional affiliation. When comparing churches, ask which body a congregation belongs to today. A national description cannot reliably answer questions about its present governance or Communion policy.[1][2]
Common questions
Do I need Norwegian ancestry to attend?
The church's confession is Christian and Lutheran; it is not a test of ancestry. Ask a local parish about service languages, introductory activities and membership. An English-language or international service can make a first visit easier to follow.[1]
Does Norwegian Lutheran mean the same as ELCA?
No. Norwegian immigration contributed to American Lutheran history, but the ELCA is a separate US denomination. A congregation's heritage and its current institutional affiliation answer different questions.
Sources & further reading
The sources below explain the beliefs and practices discussed here. Where a guide describes a broad movement, a named organization illustrates its own approach.
- 1.Church of Norway: Who we are and what we believe
Official account of the church's confession, baptism and Eucharist.
- 2.Church of Norway: A brief history
Church-published history of the Reformation and subsequent developments.