Laestadianism

The Laestadianism is a resulting from pietistic and Moravian suggestions revival movement in the Lutheran churches in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Other large communities can be found among others in the U.S. and Canada, where they form their own churches. The focus of Laestadianer is now in Finland.

History

The movement was initiated by the Swedish Lutheran pastor and botanist Lars Levi Laestadius ( 1800-1861 ). His writings were, next to the Bible and the works of Martin Luther, important basic texts of the movement. Still texts of Laestadius in the assemblies of are " firstborn Laestadianer " used. In the late 1990s, a booklet with 23 sermons of Laestadius was translated into German.

Due to various schisms, the Laestadianism has split into numerous groups, of which the largest and oldest all are represented in Finland. The " Altlaestadianer " ( Sr. gammallaestadianer, finn vanhoillislestadiolaiset ) reject the third use of the law, while in 1906 caused " newly awakened " (Finnish uusheränneet ) maintain the validity of both the Law and the Gospel for the converts. In addition, there is since 1900 the traditionalist " firstborn Laestadianer " (Finnish esikoislestadiolaiset ). The latest major laestadianische group split in 1934 " Laestadianer the word of peace" (Finnish rauhansanalaiset ), are the closest Altlaestadianern.

Practice and teaching

The best known is probably the laestadianische movement of the inwardness and emotionalism that characterize their meetings and are often expressed in ecstasy, especially in connection with the Lord's Supper. Another characteristic feature is a literal reading of the Bible with a clear emphasis on the human being as sinful beings. The conversion is carried out of a parishioner by confess his sins before the congregation and then at one of the leaders of the movement stores the confession. This then speaks to the forgiveness of sins by laying on of hands. The Laestadianer are Lutherans with strict moral standards and apply both in moral as well as in ecclesiastical matters as extremely conservative.

Laestadianer attach great importance to a Christian lifestyle. Many of them reject the contraceptive, which often leads to large families. In their meetings ( Sr. möte, finn seurat ) the forgiveness of sins plays a central role.

Organization and statistics

The municipalities are headed by full-time pastors ( U.S. and Canada ) or lay ( Scandinavia). Many pastors of the Lutheran Church, especially in Finland belong to the movement. In Finland, about 150 pastors Laestadianer. The total number of Laestadianer is estimated at about 155,000, over half of which are Finns.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there are individual laestadianische communities. In the U.S., more than 50 laestadianische communities have come together as Apostolic Lutheran Church of America.