Carl Fredrik Wisløff
Encyclopedia
Carl Fredrik Wisløff was a Norwegian theologian and Christian preacher, who spent much of his professional career at the MF Norwegian School of Theology
. He is considered among the most important lay
preachers in 20th century Norway.
, but grew up in Sarpsborg
. He was the nephew of Johan Martin Wisløff and a first cousin of later bishop Hans Edvard Wisløff.
Carl Fredrik Wisløff graduated with the cand.theol.
degree in 1931, and was hired as a priest at Vaterland
the next year. He was also hired as the first secretary of the Norges kristelige student- og gymnasiastlag
, and also founded the organization's magazine, Credo. In 1940, he was appointed as a vicar
in Birkenes
.
recognized the book as among the twenty-five most influential prose
books in post-1945 Norway.
. He also chaired the Norges kristelige student- og gymnasiastlag, from 1948 to 1960. He took the doctorate in 1958 on the thesis Nattverd og messe ('Communion and Mass'), which was translated into English (as 'The Gift of Communion') in 1964 and German in 1969. He joined the executive committee of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students
in 1959, and was appointed as professor of church history at the MF School of Theology in 1961. In 1967, he took over the presidency of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, a post he held until 1979. He retired as a professor in 1975.
Wisløff was known as an opponent of the World Council of Churches
and liberal theology
, rather adhering to the actual contents of the Bible. Among his preaching books were Ordet fra Guds munn (1951), Ordet om korset (1973), Lyset skinner i mørket (1976) and Daglig brød (1983). Other books include Politikk og kristendom (1961), volume one and three of Norsk kirkehistorie (1966, 1971), Kristne kirkesamfunn (1974), Den lutherske bekjennelse og katolisismen (1980), 2000 år med Kristus (1981) and Martin Luthers teologi (1984).
Wisløff died in June 2004, following short-term illness. His 100th anniversary was commemorated by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission
. He was also honoured with two Festschrift
s, both on his seventieth birthday.
MF Norwegian School of Theology
The Norwegian School of Theology , is a private, independent, accredited Norwegian specialised university...
. He is considered among the most important lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
preachers in 20th century Norway.
Early life and career
He was born in DrammenDrammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud County, Norway. The port and river city of Drammen is centrally located in the eastern and most populated part of Norway.-Location:...
, but grew up in Sarpsborg
Sarpsborg
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad...
. He was the nephew of Johan Martin Wisløff and a first cousin of later bishop Hans Edvard Wisløff.
Carl Fredrik Wisløff graduated with the cand.theol.
Cand.theol.
Candidatus theologiæ , Candidata theologiæ , abbreviated cand. theol. is an academic degree with a long tradition, awarded after a six year higher education in theology in Denmark and Norway. In Norway, the title has remained after the "Quality Reform", though it is equivalent to a Master of...
degree in 1931, and was hired as a priest at Vaterland
Vaterland, Norway
Vaterland is a neighborhood in Oslo, Norway. It is located north of the tracks at Oslo Central Station, between Jernbanetorget, Storgata and Akerselva river. The area features Oslo Central Station and Oslo Bus Terminal, the shopping centers Oslo City and Byporten, Galleri Oslo, Radisson Blu Plaza...
the next year. He was also hired as the first secretary of the Norges kristelige student- og gymnasiastlag
Norwegian Christian Student and School Association
The Norwegian Christian Student and School Association , is a Christian youth organization in Norway that works in schools and universities to make Jesus known. The members often refer to themselves as "The association" or "The team"...
, and also founded the organization's magazine, Credo. In 1940, he was appointed as a vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
in Birkenes
Birkenes
Birkenes is a municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sørlandet. The village of Birkeland is the administrative center and about half of the municipality's residents live there...
.
Jeg vet på hvem jeg tror
In 1946, Wisløff published Jeg vet på hvem jeg tror ('I Know in Whom I Believe'). In 2008, the liberal newspaper DagbladetDagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
recognized the book as among the twenty-five most influential prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
books in post-1945 Norway.
Academic career
In 1947, Wisløff was hired to head the priest's seminary at the MF Norwegian School of TheologyMF Norwegian School of Theology
The Norwegian School of Theology , is a private, independent, accredited Norwegian specialised university...
. He also chaired the Norges kristelige student- og gymnasiastlag, from 1948 to 1960. He took the doctorate in 1958 on the thesis Nattverd og messe ('Communion and Mass'), which was translated into English (as 'The Gift of Communion') in 1964 and German in 1969. He joined the executive committee of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students
The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students is an association of about 136 evangelical Christian student movements worldwide, encouraging evangelism, discipleship and mission among students. The goal of the organisation is to establish local autonomous student movements in every country...
in 1959, and was appointed as professor of church history at the MF School of Theology in 1961. In 1967, he took over the presidency of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, a post he held until 1979. He retired as a professor in 1975.
Wisløff was known as an opponent of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
and liberal theology
Liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
, rather adhering to the actual contents of the Bible. Among his preaching books were Ordet fra Guds munn (1951), Ordet om korset (1973), Lyset skinner i mørket (1976) and Daglig brød (1983). Other books include Politikk og kristendom (1961), volume one and three of Norsk kirkehistorie (1966, 1971), Kristne kirkesamfunn (1974), Den lutherske bekjennelse og katolisismen (1980), 2000 år med Kristus (1981) and Martin Luthers teologi (1984).
Wisløff died in June 2004, following short-term illness. His 100th anniversary was commemorated by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission
Norwegian Lutheran Mission
The Norwegian Lutheran Mission is one of several independent Lutheran organisations in Norway. They are often considered one of the most conservative Christian Evangelical organisations in Norway. They consider themselves committed to the inerrancy of the Bible as the Word of God...
. He was also honoured with two Festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
s, both on his seventieth birthday.