Tracing the Jerusalem Code: Christian Cultures in Scandinavia

Throughout the entire Christian history, the idea of Jerusalem, earthly and celestial, has been formative to the Christian Church and produced a fundamental structure of literary and visual religious language. In Western Christianity, this topos has been so influential that it may be described as a code to Christian culture. The research project "Tracing the Jerusalem Code", hosted by MF Norwegian School of Theology, aims to explore the structuring significance of Jerusalem and The Holy Land in Scandinavian history. The project is interdisciplinary and investigates references to Jerusalem across source groups and historical periods. In three subprojects we will deal with formative periods of religious change in Scandinavia: 1) Jerusalem in Medieval Scandinavia (ca 1100-1536) 2) Jerusalem in the Lutheran kingdoms of Denmark-Norway and Sweden (1536-1750) 3) Jerusalem in the eyes of Scandinavian revivalists and travelers (1750-1950) We have discovered that the ideas of Jerusalem play a significant role more widely than presupposed. About 60 Norwegian and international scholars contribute to one or more of the three subprojects. The results of their investigations are presented in a trilogy of research articles, presently under way (to be published during 2019).

Prosjektet har vært synlig gjennom omtale og intervjuer i media (Klassekampen, Vårt Land, Forskerforum) og ikke minst ved en egen faktaboks i Regjeringens Humanioramelding 2017 (s. 71). Der var prosjektet et eksempel på humanistisk grunnforskning som bidrar til forståelse av hvordan identiteter utvikler seg historisk, og dermed et bidrag til kunnskapsgrunnlaget for politikk på integreringsfeltet. En viktig virkning av prosjektet er konsolideringen av tverrfaglig humanistisk forskningssamarbeid mellom prosjektdeltagernes institusjoner. Etter prosjektperioden videreføres dette i den nye forskningsgruppen MOVE, etablert på MF ved årsskiftet 2018/19. Den involverer en rekke forskere fra MF og andre institusjoner i Oslo, samt deltagernes internasjonale nettverk. Forskergruppen tar mål av seg til å bli et nav i teori- og metodeutvikling for studiet av kulturelle forflytningsprosesser.

In light of the role Jerusalem has played in the fundamental structure of Christian visual and literary language since antiquity, it can be designated a "code" to the Christian culture. We will trace the historical roots and multiple applications of the idea of Jerusalem. We have chosen the context of Scandinavia as our test case, and, in three subprojects, will deal with formative periods of religious change: 1) Jerusalem in Medieval Scandinavia (ca 1000-1500) Main foci: the process of Christianization (100-1200), Birgitta of Vadstena (1303-1373). 2) Jerusalem in the Lutheran kingdoms of Denmark-Norway and Sweden (ca. 1500-1800). Main focus: the transformation of the "Jerusalem code" during the Protestant Reformation and confessionalization. 3) Jerusalem in the eyes of Scandinavian revivalists and travellers (ca 1800-1920). Main focus: the Christian claim of Jerusalem as spiritual heritage, and new access to the real Jerusalem. The changing interpretation of Jerusalem is expressed in theological and literary texts, religious practices, material artefacts, architecture and visual culture. By interdisciplinary and diachronic investigation, we will trace a vast variety of Jerusalem representations and interpretations, and investigate diverse ways in which the application of Jerusalem and its significations have been in use and transformed in different historical contexts. The special relevance of the project lies in the constant challenge of conflicting religious and historical identities, also in modern society. By tracing the role of Jerusalem in the Christian cultures of Scandinavia, we aim to develop historical understanding as an important resource, both in a national and international context.