Folkekirke, mission og pluralistisk samfund

Abstract

This article deals with the missional self-understanding of the so-called Danish folk church (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark). It argues that especially two important factors have hindered such a self-understanding: first, the church adherer to the Lutheran tradition, which for centuries had a weak emphasis on mission; and second, that the Danish folk church in centuries was a state church, which encompassed all citizens of the nation, and mission was therefore not a pressing issue for the church. Then, the article argues by referring to several theological statements and initiatives in the church that a new missional self-understanding seems to evolve these years. The article argues that the church seems to be adjusting to a new pluralistic societal situation, and the new missional self-understanding can be understood in light of this.

Keywords

• missional church
• mission
• ecclesiology
• lutheran theology
• pluralism