Tag Archive for 'Norse'

I’m sure this title has some people scratching their head. “Of course it can,” you say to yourself “no one believes in Odin and Thor anymore.” Well that is not totally true, but yes, the majority of people have rejected Norse mythology as fact. They do not worship the Asgard or trim their nails before going into battle in an attempt to slow the coming of the end of the world (See Naglfar). But rejection of the literal truth of Norse Paganism (I use Norse Paganism as an example here since I am interested in it, I am sure similar theme(s) can be found in many other pagan beliefs) is not what this entry is about, I wish here to speak for a moment on the mindset and values of Norse mythology.

Norse mythology embodies strength. The warrior is at the center of the myth. It revolves around him and the strength he has to overcome evil, and receive glory and honour. These are themes that appeal to everyone. Everyone wants to be the hero, wants to overcome enemies on their own, everyone wants to have their praises sung. Christianity directly opposes these themes. It glories in weakness, and it tells people that they have no strength and deserve no glory.

What I mean here when I say Christianity glorifies weakness, I mean as a virtue. I mean what Peter Leithart says in Against Christianity “Few Christians have been as astute readers of Paul as Nietzsche [See The Geneology of Morality]. Pagan that he was, he could see what Paul was up to. He could see that Paul was slyly going about the business of ‘transvaluating all values,’ at least pagan ones, giving new names and encouraging as virtue behavior once considered disgraceful.”

Against Pagan virtues and values Christians have lifted up: Humbleness, humility, meekness, submission, and charity. We have denounced pride, strength, glory, and power. We relate to the servant and reject being the master. This is what I mean when I say Christians “glorify in weakness”

The Christian is still weak after they become a Christian. The gospel is a gospel of weakness (In that it is antithetical to pagan thought), it’s admitting that we can not do what we need to do on our own and that we need to give ourselves up to Christ. This does not only happen when one becomes a Christian, but is the continual pattern of the Christian life.

Look at what Paul says about the weakness of the Christian:

1Co 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. …  (Read More)

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

And when Paul does speak of power, it is not his own, but God’s power, which comes in his weakness:

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

The scriptures take what was virtue, and changes it. What was the virtues that pagans strove for are now considered “bad” by Christians, and what was considered weak by pagans are now “good” for Christians. Christianity therefore embraces weakness and glorifies in it. The Christian savior died in the most humiliating way possible at the hands of those had strength. Yes, power comes out in the end, but that power comes through weakness.

When these two views clash why then would anyone choose the Christian values? Why would someone stand up and choose weakness over strength?

There can be only one answer; those who choose Christianity over Norse paganism have come to understand that they have no strength. One who is sure of his own strength will never choose Christianity. This is what is meant when Christian speak of brokenness. Unless one has tried to live like a Norse warrior and failed they will always reject the Christian worldview. Until one sees their own strength as an illusion they will continue to embrace it. In this Christianity is a religion of failures.

This is not to say that there is no glory and strength in Christianity, but that as opposed to Norse mythology, it is directed away from the individual and towards God. Not only is it direct towards God, but it comes out of our own weakness. It is, quite literally, the pagan world turned upside down.

What then is the answer to the opening question? If men can succeed on their own strength then Christianity has nothing on Norse Paganism. If however, the strength that is lifted up as virtue in Norse Paganism is unattainable in reality, then Christianity is there for all who fail.