N.F.S. Grundtvig
and the Theology of the
Happy
Danes
Danish theologian. Hymn
writer, philosopher, educator and politician, N F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872)
is known as the father of Folk Schools and also the father of Public
Education. An extremely prolific writer he wrote more than 1500 hymns as
well as numerous books including translations of Norse mythology. A very controversial minister who became a
Bishop, Grundtvig was critical of fellow clergy and the Danish church, and
became and remains extremely popular in Denmark. He was married three times
and had 6 children.
In a lecture at the Danebod Folk School in 1991, Walter Capps (1934-1997), professor and theologian from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later a U.S. Congressman, characterized the principles of Grundtvigianism as: (1) Affirmation of Life (2) Staying as Close as Possible to Nature (3) The Goodness and Beauty of Ordinary Life and (4) Lifelong Learning and Education. These principles do not begin to express the depth of N.F.S. Grundtvig’s legacy; he was a very complicated fellow who wrote voluminously, but they are a good introductory summary. A new anthology has recently been published in English and the works of Grundtvig are becoming increasingly well known outside of Denmark, achieving special significance in India.
Traces of two Danish American churches can still be found within the merged Evangelical Lutheran Church of America: the “Holy Danes” and the “Happy Danes.” The Holy Danes represented the pietistic movement in both Denmark and then the United States. The Happy Danes, followers of N.F.S. Grundtvig, believed in celebrating life and certainly believed in the hereafter, but they lived for the present. While salvation was the gift of Christianity, “being saved” was not a focus nor a familiar topic. Holy Danes were not always holy, and Happy Danes were not always happy, but they were theologically and culturally divided.
Happy Danes embraced the reality of life with its imperfections, focusing on enjoyment of nature, folk culture, and community. In contrast, the heritage of Holy Danes had its roots in the Inner Mission pietistic movement, and a more ascetic lifestyle. Grundtvig’s well-known motto is “Human first, then Christian.” The very fact of being human establishes common ethical values. We don’t have to be Christians to be good human beings.
A strong sense of community and culture pervade Grundtvigian thought. One is to cherish and enjoy human life and to learn from nature. We are not merely custodians of nature, but rather part of it, comprised of the same material. To praise God is to live a “simple, joyful life,” one which is also active and always engaged in learning. Suffering, while unavoidable, is not seen as a way to please God. “The Living Word” requires truthfulness and freedom. The Bible is a holy book, but is not to be taken literally.
Gymnastics was a cornerstone of the church, and gym equipment was a budget priority in nearly every “Happy” Danish church, which usually included a gym hall, The hall also served as a place for singing, crafts and folk dancing, especially in “summer school.” Holy Danes also engaged in gymnastics but considered dancing and card playing, smoking and consumption of alcohol sinful. However, both Danish branches of the Lutheran Church were “singing” churches. The Danish hymnal was the spiritual equivalent of the Anglican’s Book of Common Prayer and a place of common ground.
Today there is much less distinction between what remains of the two groups. Almost all Happy Danes have given up smoking long ago. Holy Danes now join Happy Danes in a toast and dance without guilt. Gymnastics and folk dancing are no longer part of the church, and have been relegated to secular organizations. Health clubs have increased in the United States, but they are not nearly as enjoyable as the gymnastics of the old Danish Church, where we did Jumping Jacks for the fun of it and not because it was “good for us.”
“ From Unafraid, xxvi-xxxiii)