Brunstad Christian Church (BCC) is a worldwide
evangelical
Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide, interdenominational movement within Protestantism, Protestant Christianity that emphasizes evangelism, or the preaching and spreading of th ...
non-denominational
A non-denominational person or organization is one that does not follow (or is not restricted to) any particular or specific religious denomination.
The term has been used in the context of various faiths, including Jainism, Baháʼí Faith, Zoro ...
Christian church. Established in Norway early in the 20th century. It is represented by more than 220 churches in 54 countries.
An overview of members per country shows a total of 20,000 members in 2016. As many as two thirds of its members live outside Norway.
For many years the group did not have a formal name and was referred to as ''Smith's Friends'', particularly in Norway.
History
Johan Oscar Smith (1871–1943), the church's founder, was originally a member of the
Methodist Church in Norway. After a
religious conversion
Religious conversion is the adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religious denomination to the exclusion of others. Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliatin ...
in 1898 Smith began preaching to small gatherings.
In 1905, his brother Aksel Smith (1880–1919) joined him. Smith had early contact with the
Pentecostal movement in Norway and Aksel Smith cooperated with
Thomas Ball Barratt during the first few years after Barratt introduced Pentecostalism to Norway in 1906–1907.
[ As both the Pentecostal movement and Smith's group developed, they became increasingly wary of each other, with Barrat accusing Smith of creating schism within his group, as some of his followers joined Smith.
In 1908, Johan Oscar Smith met Elias Aslaksen (1888–1976) while serving in the Norwegian Navy. Under the leadership of Johan Oscar Smith, Aksel Smith, and Elias Aslaksen the group began to grow quickly.] In World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, Smith, as a Naval officer, partook in patrols of the Norwegian coast, which enabled him to develop relationships with believers and establish churches in several Norwegian coastal towns.[ During the 1930s churches were established in inland Norway, most notably in ]Hallingdal
Hallingdal () is a valley as well as a traditional district located in the traditional and electoral district Buskerud county in Norway. It consists of six municipalities: Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål and Hol.
Hallingdal is one of the ma ...
and Valdres
Valdres () is a traditional district in central, southern Norway, situated between the districts of Gudbrandsdalen and Hallingdal. The region of Valdres consists of the six municipalities of Nord-Aurdal, Sør-Aurdal, Øystre Slidre, Vestre S ...
.[ During this period, congregations were also established in Denmark.
From the 1950s, the church began to spread throughout Western Europe, including in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, after several church leaders were invited to participate in the Pentecostal conferences held at ]Leonberg
Leonberg (; ) is a town in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg about to the west of Stuttgart, the state capital. About 45,000 people live in Leonberg, making it the third-largest borough in the rural district () of Böblingen (afte ...
during the 1950s. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Brunstad Christian Church spread further to Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Africa, and Asia.[ Churches were first established in South America in the 1970s.
Today, there are more than 220 congregations in more than 65 countries. The church has annual international conferences at Oslofjord Convention Center and regional conferences throughout the world.] It has its own publishing house, , publishing books and distributing audio-visual media intended for spiritual edification. The monthly journal , ('Hidden Treasures') has been published every month since 1912.
Organization
Brunstad Christian Church is an association of some 220 churches worldwide. The church has no ordained clergy and few members have any theological training. Leaders are appointed in each local church congregation on the basis of their perceived virtue, the confidence of members in the individual and their natural abilities. There are no elected leaders. When Johan Oscar Smith died in 1943, overall leadership of the church passed to Elias Aslaksen, followed by Sigurd Bratlie in 1976 and in 1996. The church is non-denominational and has little formal association with other churches.[
]
Members worldwide
Teachings
Brunstad Christian Church places its basis of faith in the New Testament
The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...
and the belief that the Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...
is the word of God. The fundamental elements of their faith are: faith in Jesus
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
as God
In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...
's son, faith in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is a concept within the Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is understood as the divine quality or force of God manifesting in the world, particularly in acts of prophecy, creati ...
, forgiveness of sin
In religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of the deities. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered ...
, baptism
Baptism (from ) is a Christians, Christian sacrament of initiation almost invariably with the use of water. It may be performed by aspersion, sprinkling or affusion, pouring water on the head, or by immersion baptism, immersing in water eit ...
and the Lord's Supper. They believe that the forgiveness of sins is undeserved and by received through Divine grace when one believes in Jesus Christ. They practice the baptism of adults by complete immersion into water.[
As in other evangelical churches, the Bible is central and believed literally. Books and writings by past and present elders in the movement are held in high regard within Brunstad Christian Church.] The most central internal publications are the monthly magazine, and ''Smith's Letters'', a collection of letters written by Johan O. Smith, mostly to his brother Aksel and Elias Aslaksen.
The church claims to differ from other non-denominational evangelical groups in its belief that Jesus not only died to bring forgiveness of our sins, but that he was also tempted to sin just like every human being. The church teaches that Jesus' victory over sin as a human being is the basis for personal victory over sin and transformation into Jesus image for believers, which is defined as the process of sanctification
Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects ( ...
.
A study undertaken by Norwegian theologian Geir Lie concluded that the theology of Brunstad Christian Church was influenced by the Keswick revival at the turn of the 20th century and by individuals such as Madame Guyón and Jessie Penn-Lewis.[
]
Mission
Brunstad Christian Church is engaged in missionary and humanitarian work around the globe.
Controversy
A 2020 documentary by Norwegian state broadcaster NRK raised questions about whether BCC is a sect, and alleged that church leaders were benefiting economically from the church in a manner that could be illegal.
The BCC denied the allegations, and claim that they are part of a misinformation campaign run by the private Israeli intelligence company Psy-Group on behalf of an ex-member.
Bibliography
*Bratli, Kjell Arne (1996): ''The Way of the Cross: An Account of Smith's Friends''. Tananger, Norway: Skjulte Skatters Forlag.
*Gjøsund, Alf (2004). ''Seier Likevel: Min Vei ut av Trossamfunnet Smiths Venner'' (''Victory after all: My Way Out of Smith's Friends Fellowship'') (Norwegian). Lunde.
*Velten, Johan (2002). ''Ansatt av Gud: Et Kritisk Søkelys på Smiths Venner'' (''Appointed by God: A Critical Review of Smith's Friends'') (Norwegian). Genesis.
References
External links
Official website in English
Missionary website
{{Authority control
Evangelicalism in Norway
Christian organizations established in 1905
Evangelical denominations established in the 20th century
1905 establishments in Norway
Non-denominational Evangelical unions