Jens Gran Gleditsch
Encyclopedia
Jens Gran Gleditsch was a Norwegian bishop
and theologian. He was a brother of Kristen Gran Gleditsch
.
Gleditsch was born on 6 December 1860 in Voss
, Søndre Bergenhus
, Norway
. He received his cand.theol.
degree in 1883 from the University of Oslo
. He was a chaplain
in Lista from 1887 until 1891. He then moved to Antwerp, Belgium
to serve as pastor of the Norwegian Seaman's Church there. In 1912, Gleditsch became the parish priest in Arendal
. From 1917 until 1923, he held various positions in churches in Oslo
. In 1918, he received an honorary Doctorate of Theology from the University of Uppsala. He was bishop at the Diocese of Nidaros
from 1923 until 1928. His appointment as a bishop was very controversial at the time due to his liberal theology
. He retired after only five years as bishop due to health problems, and he died three years later in Oslo
on 27 October 1931.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and theologian. He was a brother of Kristen Gran Gleditsch
Kristen Gran Gleditsch
Kristen Gran Gleditsch was a Norwegian military officer and topographer.He was born in Overhalla as a son of dean Lars August Gleditsch . He was a brother of bishop Jens Gran Gleditsch, an uncle of Ellen, Kristian and Henry Gleditsch, and a first cousin once removed of Odd Gleditsch, Sr...
.
Gleditsch was born on 6 December 1860 in Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
, Søndre Bergenhus
Hordaland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Telemark and Rogaland. Hordaland is the third largest county after Akershus and Oslo by population. The county administration is located in Bergen...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. He received his cand.theol.
Cand.theol.
Candidatus theologiæ , Candidata theologiæ , abbreviated cand. theol. is an academic degree with a long tradition, awarded after a six year higher education in theology in Denmark and Norway. In Norway, the title has remained after the "Quality Reform", though it is equivalent to a Master of...
degree in 1883 from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He was a chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in Lista from 1887 until 1891. He then moved to Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
to serve as pastor of the Norwegian Seaman's Church there. In 1912, Gleditsch became the parish priest in Arendal
Arendal
is a town and municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. Arendal belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet.The town of Arendal is the administrative center the municipality and also of Aust-Agder county...
. From 1917 until 1923, he held various positions in churches in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. In 1918, he received an honorary Doctorate of Theology from the University of Uppsala. He was bishop at the Diocese of Nidaros
Diocese of Nidaros
Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag counties and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. The diocese is divided into 12 deaneries . Finn Wagle was the bishop from 1991 to 2008...
from 1923 until 1928. His appointment as a bishop was very controversial at the time due to his liberal theology
Liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
. He retired after only five years as bishop due to health problems, and he died three years later in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
on 27 October 1931.
Selected works
- Jesus og dogmet. Nogle ord om forholdet mellem den historiske og religiøse betragtning af Kristi person (1909)
- Andagtsbok: Kristelig tro og kristelig liv i korte betragtninger (1912)
- Norsk kirkepolitik. Tanker til overveielse (1913)
- Reformationens profil gjennem tiderne (1917)