[4. Introduction of Christianity in the North]
While Christianity suffered such great losses in Asia and Africa, it was spread by faithful workers over the whole of Europe. A monk by the name of Ansgar, afterward called Saint Ansgar, came from Germany to Denmark in 826, and labored there and in Sweden for the introduction of Christianity for forty years, surrounded by many dangers. He has been called the Apostle of the North. It took, however, a long time before Christianity was firmly established in these countries. In olden times the people of Norway, as well as of Denmark and Sweden, were heathens; their gods were called Asas. But at the time when Christianity reached Norway, the faith in Odin and Thor was not very firm. Many believed in nothing but their own strength. It is thus told about King Harald the Fairhaired, that he placed no trust in the Asas, but “believed in that god who was the strongest, and had made all and ruled over all.” The Northmen who first heard anything about Christ were Vikings, who sailed west and south on their robbing expeditions. Some of these were baptized, many only in order to receive the presents that were given those who were baptized. But such Christianity as this had no power, and we hear nothing of any efforts on their part to spread it when they came home. The Norse chief, Helge the Lean, who had been brought up in Ireland in the Christian faith, and later resided in Iceland, continued in his faith in Christ; but when he was on the sea or in danger he turned to Thor.
Haakon the Good, who in England had been brought up in the Christian faith, wished to introduce it into Norway, when he was made king. He even got some priests from England and built some churches; but the people of Trondhjem opposed his efforts, and Haakon himself was forced to sacrifice to the gods.
Haakon the Earl was the last heathen ruler of Norway. He believed so strongly in the power of the old gods that during the battle with the Jomsvikings he sacrificed his own son to obtain victory. In an insurrection he was killed by his own slave, and Olav Trygveson became king. He had accepted Christianity during one of his sea expeditions, and had been baptized. He was zealous for the progress of the faith, and traveled through the country to Christianize the people. Where this could not be accomplished with leniency, force was employed. Several who resisted baptism were tortured to death. He introduced Christianity in Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, but did not reign long enough over Norway to accomplish his purpose there. When he had reigned five years, he fell in the battle at Svolder, in the year 1000.
Olav Haraldson, afterwards known as Saint Olav, introduced Christianity throughout Norway. On one of his Viking expeditions he had been converted and baptized. He was of an earnest character, and Christianity made a deep impression on his mind. He resolved to Christianize the whole country, and for that reason went from one district to another, building churches and installing priests.
According to the custom of the times he often employed cruel means. The people were provoked and rose in rebellion, and Olav fled to Gardarike, or Russia. From thence he returned after a time with an army, and treated the people with great kindness, but they met him with a superior force at Stiklestad, where Olav was killed after a great slaughter, in the year 1030. He had then been king for about sixteen years.—Miracles were soon reported to have been wrought by his corpse, and after a few years he was canonized as a saint. His bones were put in a shrine, which afterwards was placed on the altar of the cathedral at Trondhjem, where they remained until the time of the Reformation. Pilgrimages were made to this relic from far and near; pilgrimages belonged to the superstitions of the times.
[5. The Popes, The Monks]
The bishop of Rome soon became the most powerful among the bishops and was called pope, that is, papa (father). Some popes were pious, God-fearing men, who were zealous for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth; others endeavored only to extend their own power and importance; and some were downright wicked.
The popes claimed and claim to this day that they are the representatives of Christ on earth. They made the claim that Christ had placed Peter over the other apostles and over the whole Christian Church. Furthermore, that Peter was the first bishop in Rome, and that his power was inherited by the following bishops. As the vicegerents of Christ they, of course, must be infallible in doctrine; but they have nevertheless often advanced doctrines that were only human opinions, and even in direct opposition to the Scriptures. They established the doctrine to worship the virgin Mary and other dead men and women, and canonized them as saints. They claimed that these saints prevailed greatly with God, and therefore prayers must be offered to them for intercession and help. These saints were said through works of penitence and good deeds to have done not only enough to be saved themselves, but to have had a surplus of holiness. This treasure of sanctity the popes had a right to dispose of, and could even sell it for money. Thus arose the horrible sale of indulgences.
Baptism and the old confession of faith, or the three Articles of Faith, remained unchanged; but the Lord’s Supper had been greatly changed. Laymen may only eat of the bread, but must not drink of the wine.