April 5, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Hans Nielsen Hauge

When Hans Nielsen Hauge was nearing the age of twenty-five, he felt there could be a lot more to his life, especially his Christian life. Suddenly, on this day, April 5, 1796, while singing “Jesus, I Long for Thy Blessed Communion,” he was filled with divine joy. “…my mind became so exalted that I was not myself aware of, nor can I express, what took place in my soul. For I was beside myself.

“Hauge left his parent’s home to spread the gospel through Norway. This task was made harder by the fact that the established church was afraid of enthusiasts and had forbidden all religious services (under the Conventicle Act) except those under the supervision of regularly posted clergymen. Consequently, Hauge spent much time in jail. Some of his incarcerations lasted several months. But although men sought to thwart him, God so endorsed Hauge’s preaching with the power of the Holy Spirit that spiritual renewal followed wherever he went. Often this was accompanied by economic renewal, for Hans was gifted with many skills and strong business-sense and helped Norway’s peasants develop industries. Eventually he won the support of several bishops. However, he was once held in prison from 1804-1814 although all charges against him fell through. His enemies (among them certain godless bishops) called for his death.” (Suddenly Hauge Found Living Faith, Dan Graves, Christianity.com)

Hauge worked as a lay preacher at a time when such activity was forbidden by law. The Conventicle Act of 1741 prohibited any religious meetings not authorized by the state church: a response to radical Pietism (emphasis on individual piety and living a vigorous Christian life) within Norwegian cities. The act decreed that religious gatherings could be held only under the supervision of a state approved minister. The pastor was thought to be the only person who could correctly interpret the teachings of the state church. Hauge came to feel that he had a call which made it mandatory for him to break this law and proclaim the word of God despite what the state church believed. According to Hauge’s views, the State Church failed to provide parishioners with a personal religious experience. Hauge’s religious teachings were therefore viewed as attacks on the state church and its ministers.

He…is regarded as the founder of Norwegian Pietism. Norwegians immigrating into the United States brought Hauge’s teachings with them, influencing Lutheranism in the New World. (H)e himself died in 1824 at the relatively young age of 53. His last words, spoken with a face that shone with light, were, “O Thou eternal, loving God!” (Suddenly Hauge Found Living Faith, Dan Graves, Christianity.com)

Hauge was a staunch advocate of the idea of the priesthood of all believers, as was Luther. He felt that people had to be awakened to a consciousness of their sins before they could begin to gain salvation through the G-d’s grace, which Luther tried mightily, but failed. In his struggle to understand his sins, and enumerate them, Luther could not find a G-d who loved him. But once he understood that justification came first from Jesus, that G-d acted first in loving him through the cross of Jesus, then he could believe and know that he was simultaneously a Saint and Sinner, both loved and still a sinner in need of Grace. And that then moves us to do good works, not so that G-d loves us, but because G-d loves us.

This week collect one roll of paper towel to bring in for Trinity’s Table.

Pastor Dave