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What happened to baptism in Nordic countries? Traditionally, most newborns were baptized into the Lutheran majority churches. The rapid decline of this practice in recent decades has sparked reflection on the church's role in society and on the cultural and theological meaning of baptism in a secularized society. The decline of infant baptism has made way for new practices and ecclesial strategies. This book analyzes these developments from historical, social scientific, and theological perspectives, comparing material from the five Nordic Lutheran folk churches.
The essays gathered here provide an extensive overview of research and resources connected to baptism in the Nordic folk churches over the last two decades, but they also contribute constructive theological reflection on baptism’s wider implications.
This anthology emerged from the larger joint Nordic project Baptism in Times of Change, conducted between 2020 and 2022. The project was part of the joint Nordic initiative Churches in Times of Change, focusing on changes in ecclesial practice and theology in the Nordic region.
About the author
Harald Hegstad is a professor of systematic theology at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society in Oslo, Norway. He is also the moderator of the National Church Council of the Church of Norway.
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