September 2013

The Georg Volume 10, Issue 2 Sverdrup Society NEWSLETTER

Dr. Carl Vaagenes to Speak at GSS Annual Meeting in Minneapolis on October 5

In this Issue: The tenth annual meeting of the tions from Volume 6 of Sam- Georg Sverdrup Society will be lede Skrifter. To date, Vaagenes held Saturday, October 5, in the has been responsible for trans- Vaagenes to Speak 1 at Annual Meeting Hans Nielsen Hauge Chapel on lating 27 of the 85 meditations the AFLC Schools campus, at from this volume, all of which “Sven Oftedal” 1 3120 East Medicine Lake have been published in The 2013 Theme Boulevard, Plymouth, Minne- Sverdrup Journal. Because of “The First Blow” 2 sota. A buffet luncheon will be his own missionary experience served at 12:00 noon followed in Madagascar, Vaagenes A Giant in the Earth? 2 by the program at 1:00 p.m. brings unique insight into and The GSS Annual Meeting will understanding of Sverdrup’s Dr. Carl Vaagenes begin at 2:30. passion for missions. The Life of 3 Prof. Oftedal This year’s program speak- Born in Betroka, Madagas- er will be Dr. Carl P. Vaagenes, car, Dr. Vaagenes is the son of was the everyday language. Prof. Sven Oftedal 4 presenting on “The Vocabulary Lutheran Free Church mission- When he went outdoors, he of Faith for the Congregation: aries Rev. M. G. C. and Hanna conversed in Malagasy with The “Open 4 Georg Sverdrup’s Gift of Lan- Vaagenes. Both parents were his playmates, and when he Declaration” guage in Proclaiming Christ’s born in Norway, immigrated to went to school, he was taught in English. Fluent in Message to the World.” Dr. America for their education, Vaagenes has been translating and then left for the mission four languages (Norwegian, and writing for the Society field. As a result, Dr. Vaagenes French, Malagasy, and Eng- since 2008, his main focus be- had the experience of growing lish), Vaagenes is unusually Georg Sverdrup ing Sverdrup’s Mission Medita- up in a home where Norwegian (Continued on page 3)  Born to Pastor Harold Ulrich Sverdrup and his wife Caroline “Sven Oftedal” 2013 Theme Metella, nee Suur, at Balestrand, The theme of the 2013 Journal friend and ally. The two were Sogn, Norway, on of the Georg Sverdrup Society inseparable, and in at least December 16, 1848. is “Sven Oftedal.” This marks a one collection their sermons  Died on May 3, 1907, departure for the society, in were treated as if composed in Minneapolis, MN, focusing on a figure other than by a single hand. A highlight and buried in the Sverdrup himself. However, it of the journal will be the first Lakewood Cemetery. is impossible to properly under- published translation of Of- stand the dynamics of the tedal’s lecture, “Free Associ- young Lutheran Free Church ations Among Free Congre- without understanding the con- gations,” a seminal Free tributions of Sverdrup’s closest Church document. NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Issue 2

Page 2 “The First Blow” Translated by Larry Walker

The following article was first pub- held in Trinity Church between mem- It did not take long before he lished in the immigrant newspaper, bers of the Conference and the Nor- had rendered his opponents’ many “Danskeren” (“The Dane”), and wegian Synod concerning “the justi- books and patristic authorities re- included in a series of tributes to fication of the world.” dundant. He kept himself to the Prof. Sven Oftedal published shortly It was there that Sven Oftedal New Testament and Børnelærdom after his death in 1911. It offers an first stepped forward in public. and demanded answers “with nei- eyewitness account of Professor Of- The Norwegian Synod men had ther horns nor fangs.” tedal soon after he had arrived from provided themselves with stacks of The entire assembly stared in Norway and relates how he first ap- books; a servant came carrying a amazement at this young man. He peared as a public figure in the con- whole armful. was even compared to Luther. troversy between the Danish- When the discussion began, jabs Norwegian Conference and the much were directed at Prof. Wenaas; his * * * larger, more conservative Norwegian weak side was well known. Synod. Prof. August Weenaas was the But at a wave from the Chairman, This was a characteristic of first president of Augsburg College. he sat down, and Oftedal spoke up Oftedal’s and Sverdrup’s church It is unclear from the published ver- and thereafter led the discussion from work, which the young Oftedal at sion whether the three paragraphs the Conference side. that memorable meeting introduced following the break come from the He was equipped only with his —“The New Testament and Bør- original “Danskeren” article or not. New Testament in Greek and nelælardom.” (ed.) “Børnelærdom,” which was their It was of first importance for term for the extract of Pontoppidan’s them to hold fast to, and to dis- Explanation. pense, God’s Word, and to give it We knew him particularly as a Everyone gazed on that dignified to the people in a manner which young man, when he had just arrived young countenance with its blond the congregation members could from Norway—both as a teacher and locks around a plump face. understand. otherwise. We were immediately impressed Therefore let their memory be Shortly after he had come to Min- that it was the figure of a leader that blessed! neapolis, a discussion meeting was stood there.

A Giant in the Earth? Translated by Larry Walker

At the news of his death, this associa- America, and especially for the Nor- And it is especially for this reason tion feels that it has grounds, no less wegian people in America. But you that the Association feels obligated to than others, to say with the poet, have been just as fully and complete- express to you our profound thanks. “Great is our loss.” For among us ly a Norwegian. You were not only The leadership of “The Society Norwegians in America there is none quick to recognize and appropriate to for Norwegian Language and Cul- who, through their life and work, has yourself the good you found in your ture,” served precisely the cause for which new Fatherland, but you also sought Via a committee: our association labors than you. to preserve and—so far as possible— O. E. Rølvaag, P. J. Eikeland Clearly have you shown us that there to transplant what you brought of is no contradiction in being at once an your heritage which you recognized American and a Norwegian. As an as greater than so many among us American, you have for nearly forty would believe. Therefore we must years devoted to your new Fatherland also add with the poet, “Great is our all your labor. You have lived for gain.” NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Issue 2

Page 3 GSS Annual Meeting (cont.) gifted as a linguist and a Upon their return to the wife, Ruth, have four chil- translator. Largely because United States, they served dren and several grandchil- Norwegian was his first lan- calls to Ebenezer Lutheran dren and great grandchildren. guage, his understanding of Church in Northwood, North Since Sven Oftedal is the and appreciation for Dakota (1973-1978), and Lu- society’s study topic for this

Sverdrup’s use of language is theran congregations in Tofte year, a recent translation of

evident, as will be seen in his and Lutsen, Minnesota (1978- one of his writings will be presentation 1991). He earned a Doctor of read. The program will also Vaagenes is a graduate of Ministry from Luther North- include the traditional Augburg College and Theo- western Seminary in 1988 “Sverdrup Songfest,” and logical Seminary, where he where his dissertation was special music will be provid- earned a BTh (MDiv). He “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit ed by AFLC schools attended the University of in a Lutheran Congregation.” To help give an accurate Paris, Sorbonne, 1955-1956. From 1991-1994, he count for the luncheon, please He returned to Madagascar served a call to Brooklyn Park contact Loiell Dyrud before with his wife, Ruth Oredson, Lutheran Church and was at September 30 by email: whom he married in 1950. North Heights Lutheran [email protected] or phone: They served as Lutheran Free Church, St. Paul, from 1994- 218-681-6964. Church missionaries until 2012. 1972. Dr. Vaagenes and his —Loiell Dyrud

The Life of Prof. Sven Oftedal

Sven Oftedal (March 22, simple doctrines of Christi- the Free Church Book 1844 –March 30, 1911) was anity. In time, both Oftedal Concern. That company born in Stavanger, Norway, and Sverdrup would serve as would in turn merge with and studied at the University presidents of Augsburg Col- Augsburg Publishing in 1963. of Oslo. He came to Minne- lege. Additionally, Oftedal Oftedal was also elected to apolis, Minnesota, in 1873 to was chairman of the board the Minneapolis School serve as a professor of the of regents at Augsburg Col- Board and was appointed to New Testament at Augsburg lege for 36 years. the Minneapolis Library Seminary, predecessor to It was at Augsburg Board. Additionally, Oftedal Augsburg College. Augsburg College that Oftedal, along served as pastor of Trinity was the first seminary found- with Georg Sverdrup, Lutheran Church in Minneap- ed by Norwegian Lutherans founded the Lutheran Free olis for five years. Trinity in America. August Church. Sverdrup, Oftedal, Lutheran Church, which was Weenaas, Augsburg’s first and others felt their beliefs founded in 1868, was origi- president, had recruited both were being compromised nally a Norwegian immigrant Sven Oftedal and Georg and broke away from the Lutheran church, which Sverdrup from Norway to United Norwegian Lutheran would have roots in the join the faculty. Sven Church of America, forming Lutheran Free Church. Oftedal and Georg Sverdrup the Lutheran Free Church in (Wikipedia) were scholars from promi- 1897. The denomination nent Haugean families in would exist as a separate Norway who came to Augs- synod until 1963. burg College, bringing with In 1877, Sven Oftedal them a genuinely radical organized the Folkebladet view of Christian education, Publishing Company, which centered on Scripture and the would merge in 1922 with “Professor Sven Oftedal” THE GEORG SVERDRUP Translated by Raynard Huglen SOCIETY NEWSLETTER PO Box 400 Source: Folkebladet, April 5, 1911. Author unknown. Beulah, ND 58523 www.georgsverdrupsociety.org So it is so, Professor Oftedal is dead. He is also taken from us, taken from the noise of strife and struggle here below to the Father’s house above where—after the end of one’s workday, after the end of labor, battle, and trouble—there is rest and

peace. The strong figure of leadership with its varied moods, which could be mild and friendly as a child, but also authoritative and commanding as a master and commander, is no longer with us. The leader we looked up to, the friend to whom we could go and open up our hearts, the personality that inspired confidence, which Ordet Blev KjŒd a host of our church people had learned to regard as their spiritual leader and father, (The Word Became Flesh) has been taken away. The pioneer, foundation-layer, trailblazer for the free church work, which has evolved and gone forth from Augsburg Seminary during his thirty- eight year stewardship there, is taken away.

To our people, who throughout the whole time have shared the good and bad Directors with him, and there are many, and the many he has enlisted to take part in support of the work of the church, he has stood as a champion. They will feel the heavy Loiell Dyrud, President sorrow and the distressing loss lying over them when the news of Professor Steve Mundfrom, Vice-President Timothy Larson, Secretary Oftedal’s death reaches them. He has followed his life-long friend [Sverdrup] with Kris Nyman, Treasurer and whom he had worked for most of a generation and at whose casket four years ago Membership Secretary he cried out: “Farewell, soul of my soul, spirit of my spirit, half of my life, my last Larry Walker, Editor friend. Now you have gone, and I am alone in a strange land; but what is our loss is Craig Johnson Wesley Langaas your triumph, and I will soon follow you. Therefore, farewell again, Georg, and welcome home to the Lord!” Prospective members are invited to contact the membership secretary at PO Box 400, Beulah, ND 58523. The “Open Declaration” Translated by Larry Walker

One of the most Andreas Helland, in his book Augsburg the Conference with the Synod. This led dramatic events Seminar Gjennem Femti Aar (Augsburg Sem- me to speak with O[ftedal] about this, in the formation inary Through Fifty Years, Folkebladet Pub- believing that it was necessary for one of of the Lutheran lishing Co., 1920) quotes Pres. Weenaas’ us to give a more accurate explanation of Free Church was explanation of how the Open Declaration why these local conferences were being the publication of came to be written: held, and to what ends they might be the “Open Dec- profitable. Oftedal declared himself ready After the free conference in Luther laration” (Aapen immediately to compose a more accurate Valley, Wisconsin, relations with the Norwe- Erklaring) in explanation, which became “The Open gian Synod were, unfortunately, more tense 1873. This docu- Declaration of What We Are Fighting than ever. Nevertheless this did not prevent ment, in which a Against, and of How We Will Fight,” and Prof. Weenaas so-called “local conferences” being held in young Prof. Of- was signed by both of us. various locations in 1873, and when oppor- tedal outlined his beliefs about the tunity arose, I and Oftedal also participated in church, caused great offense among a these. Because of this a rumor began to number of Norwegian-Americans. It also spread, no one knows from where, that contributed to an eventual break with Professor Oftedal was a secret friend of the Augsburg President August Weenaas, Norwegian Synod, and by subversive and who returned to Norway. cunning means was laboring for the union of