Edvard Munch and the Bible
It is said that Edvard Munch (1863-1944) kept three books on his bedside table: “Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen” (From Christiania’s Bohemia) by Hans Jæger, “The Idiot” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and the Bible.…
Classical Music Inspired by the Bible
Classical music, as we characterise it today, has its roots in the 14th century Ars Nova period. This era marked a departure from traditional liturgical church music used in Catholic…
The Role of the Bible in Theater
The role of the Bible in Western theater dates back to the mystery plays of the Middle Ages. This form of theater primarily served pedagogical and religious purposes and were…
The Bible and the men of Eidsvoll
The Bible played a pivotal role in nation-building and public enlightenment, and also acted as a cornerstone of Norwegian democracy. No other book had such a large influence on Norwegian…
The Bible and Beer Labels
Biblical names are often found on beverages, this includes beer. It is not surprising that several types of beer have biblical names, this is because European brewing tradition is closely…
Henrik Wergeland and the Bible
The Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland was strongly influenced by the Bible throughout his life. This is evident through both his artistic and political work. It was a given that the Bible…
Streets and places with biblical names
Many streets and places in the Nordic countries have names with biblical roots. This includes Norway, where among others, we find, Marias vei (Marias road) in Mandal, Moses vei (Moses…
The Vikings and the Bible
It is likely that the Vikings had some knowledge of the Bible as early as the year 793 when they attacked Lindisfarne. The victims of the Viking raids were often…
Biblical Quotes on Buildings
Many houses and buildings around the world have been decorated with quotes from the Bible. This tradition dates back to the Reformation, when it became common to decorate houses with…
What did the engraver do?
Engravers had a central role in Europe's printing presses in the 14th and 15th century. They were responsible for decorating the books. Most engravers had an artistic background, often starting…
