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Betraktning over Verdens Dårlighet: Inkluderer skriftet “Beskrivelse over det åndelige livets løp og strid” fra 1804, og utdrag av boka “Om religiøse følelser ... deres verdi” fra 1817
Hans Nielsen Hauges bøker og skrifter fikk stor utbredelse i landet. Det viser hvor sterkt de slo an blant det som kalles «almuen», eller den vanlige mann og kvinne. Hauges første bok, «Betragtning over Verdens Daarlighed» fra 1796, utkom i seks opplag fram til 1804.
Mens Hauge levde ble hans 33 større og mindre skrifter trykt i til sammen 76 opplag. Opplagenes størrelse var heller ikke små. Hauge «Mine skrifter ble opplagt fra to til seks ganger og hver gang trykt i fra 2000 til 5000 eksemplarer.» I 1816 forteller han at det er ikke mer enn 1000 stk. igjen av hver bok, og av noen er det ingen igjen.
Den boka som fikk størst utbredelse, var Hauges salmebok, «Utvalgte salmer». Allerede i 1819 var denne solgt i 10 000 eksemplarer. Uten noen overdrivelse er det reelt å kunne regne med at Hauges bøker kom ut i et totalopplag på opp mot 250 000.
I tillegg til Hauges forfatterskap, skrev han hundrevis av brev, som fikk stor betydning for vekkelsen. Brevene ble skrevet til enkeltpersoner og venneflokker rundt omkring i landet. På den måten ble brevene til både formaning, oppmuntring og sjelesorg. De ble ofte brukt til opplesning i vennesamlingene.
Trangen etter å lese Hauges bøker førte også til at leseferdighetene i bygd og by ble forbedret.
Mens Hauge levde ble hans 33 større og mindre skrifter trykt i til sammen 76 opplag. Opplagenes størrelse var heller ikke små. Hauge «Mine skrifter ble opplagt fra to til seks ganger og hver gang trykt i fra 2000 til 5000 eksemplarer.» I 1816 forteller han at det er ikke mer enn 1000 stk. igjen av hver bok, og av noen er det ingen igjen.
Den boka som fikk størst utbredelse, var Hauges salmebok, «Utvalgte salmer». Allerede i 1819 var denne solgt i 10 000 eksemplarer. Uten noen overdrivelse er det reelt å kunne regne med at Hauges bøker kom ut i et totalopplag på opp mot 250 000.
I tillegg til Hauges forfatterskap, skrev han hundrevis av brev, som fikk stor betydning for vekkelsen. Brevene ble skrevet til enkeltpersoner og venneflokker rundt omkring i landet. På den måten ble brevene til både formaning, oppmuntring og sjelesorg. De ble ofte brukt til opplesning i vennesamlingene.
Trangen etter å lese Hauges bøker førte også til at leseferdighetene i bygd og by ble forbedret.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1796
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January 26, 2022
An inspiring compilation of writings, especially of interest for those who have had similar experiences to Hans Nielsen Hauge's; you will certainly identify with Hauge's conversion. As one reads, one can 'feel' those early days' personal memories spark back to life. This English translation of Hans Nielsen Hauge's work is a quick read. Norway's Hans Nielsen Hauge experienced an awakening-rebirth (Spirit-baptism) during April of 1796 and subsequently set out to share his experience and message throughout Norway to repent and be born again by the Spirit of God.
The problem with comprehending the path of salvation, confession of sin, repentance, and the necessity of being born again, was practically not preached in the churches in the land in Hauge's time. "His central proclamation became the necessity of repentance from sin. Salvation and rebirth led to a living faith and good deeds became a fruit of the new life in God."
It was Hauge's writings that laid the foundation for Norway's revival. Hauge contemplated whether it was right to use sharp criticism of the present world's time and its ministers - he concluded that it was the correct thing to do (1 Timothy 5:17-20). "Hauge did not seek advice from others but asked God to show him what to do. This shows Hauge’s spiritual independence and how he trusted God alone... He said: 'In my heart I rejoiced that I should test whether it was true what I had written and whether it was in accordance with the word of God, and if I knew it was according to the testimony of the Spirit being borne to me. When I couldn’t find anything that didn’t pass, I left this writing unchanged¨... 'It was quite strange with all the temptations and obstacles that met this writing before it was printed. I think it had to do with the many souls that scripture led to “edification,” and which the enemy resisted. That may have been especially true of my “The Career.” I have since also encountered difficulties and resistance when printing other books, but not so strong internal struggles.'”
Hauge's ministry life reflects Hebrews 11:24-26 well: "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward."
Hauge made a conscience choice and lifetime effort to not become caught up with the temporal things of life, things that exclude God's Holy Spirit from an individual's fruitful living.
Reading this work and taking a look at 'The Sermon on the Mount' (Matthew chapters 5-7) one quickly sees that their own relationship with God is not about being focused upon outward obedience to a set of commands and rules, but that it is about the condition and desires of their heart - their inward self and thoughts.
- Excerpts:
“When I was alone, I fell to my knees and prayed that He would reveal His Son’s love in me, bestow upon me His Holy Spirit and teach me to know my perversity for evil, and the powerlessness for good. If I lay on a rock, I took it as an example, and prayed that my heart, mind, and congregation be rooted on the rock of Christ. Then the gates of death would not have power over it.”
"My experience is as Luther says: 'We must not believe that Satan is better now than before.' It is said in Revelation that in the last times he will step up his intensity. Since most people are now under his power, they deny his work, while in reality they are his co-workers!"
-Regarding Matthew chapetr 7:
"In verse 21 he says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The will of the Father is that we should believe in the Son and love him... On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’“
"I have also read some books where the authors write about the same thing. These are: Luther, Johan Arndt, Møller and Jersin and more. As far as I can understand, these had the right and living faith, but in their time, they also complained that there were few true Christians. Experience says that there are not many more now."
"I have also started farming, taught others to run factories, mills, works, fisheries, and do some trading myself. This is to provide livelihood for the believers, who may want to, and thus not have to serve under unbelievers. Thus, the light could shine, and the world could see our good deeds. So, it is the world that accuses me of laziness, because I was preaching instead of working. Now these hateful people are more envious, because God has blessed our work."
"I am now arrested for the 10th time for confessing the Word and works of God, which has provided business in several places. I can therefore, as with the first apostles of Christ, boast of bearing chains for the sake of the truth, but it is done in simplicity and not to exalt myself. Opponents can carry a secret admiration for me in their hearts, so they even have to confess to the good!"
"By sharing my experience, I have feared that to other believers this would be like giving the dogs what is holy and throwing pearls before swine (Matt.7,6). The spiritual confession could give the unbelievers the opportunity to mock, but now I can no longer be restrained and silent."
- Sample Verses -
Hauge's work includes many scriptures from a number of the 66 books contained within the bible. These are but a few:
John 5:39: Christ says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
1 Cor. 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for us that are being saved, it is the power of God.”
Galatians 4:16: “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
1 Pet. 4:18: Remember what the apostle Peter says: “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
The problem with comprehending the path of salvation, confession of sin, repentance, and the necessity of being born again, was practically not preached in the churches in the land in Hauge's time. "His central proclamation became the necessity of repentance from sin. Salvation and rebirth led to a living faith and good deeds became a fruit of the new life in God."
It was Hauge's writings that laid the foundation for Norway's revival. Hauge contemplated whether it was right to use sharp criticism of the present world's time and its ministers - he concluded that it was the correct thing to do (1 Timothy 5:17-20). "Hauge did not seek advice from others but asked God to show him what to do. This shows Hauge’s spiritual independence and how he trusted God alone... He said: 'In my heart I rejoiced that I should test whether it was true what I had written and whether it was in accordance with the word of God, and if I knew it was according to the testimony of the Spirit being borne to me. When I couldn’t find anything that didn’t pass, I left this writing unchanged¨... 'It was quite strange with all the temptations and obstacles that met this writing before it was printed. I think it had to do with the many souls that scripture led to “edification,” and which the enemy resisted. That may have been especially true of my “The Career.” I have since also encountered difficulties and resistance when printing other books, but not so strong internal struggles.'”
Hauge's ministry life reflects Hebrews 11:24-26 well: "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward."
Hauge made a conscience choice and lifetime effort to not become caught up with the temporal things of life, things that exclude God's Holy Spirit from an individual's fruitful living.
Reading this work and taking a look at 'The Sermon on the Mount' (Matthew chapters 5-7) one quickly sees that their own relationship with God is not about being focused upon outward obedience to a set of commands and rules, but that it is about the condition and desires of their heart - their inward self and thoughts.
- Excerpts:
“When I was alone, I fell to my knees and prayed that He would reveal His Son’s love in me, bestow upon me His Holy Spirit and teach me to know my perversity for evil, and the powerlessness for good. If I lay on a rock, I took it as an example, and prayed that my heart, mind, and congregation be rooted on the rock of Christ. Then the gates of death would not have power over it.”
"My experience is as Luther says: 'We must not believe that Satan is better now than before.' It is said in Revelation that in the last times he will step up his intensity. Since most people are now under his power, they deny his work, while in reality they are his co-workers!"
-Regarding Matthew chapetr 7:
"In verse 21 he says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The will of the Father is that we should believe in the Son and love him... On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’“
"I have also read some books where the authors write about the same thing. These are: Luther, Johan Arndt, Møller and Jersin and more. As far as I can understand, these had the right and living faith, but in their time, they also complained that there were few true Christians. Experience says that there are not many more now."
"I have also started farming, taught others to run factories, mills, works, fisheries, and do some trading myself. This is to provide livelihood for the believers, who may want to, and thus not have to serve under unbelievers. Thus, the light could shine, and the world could see our good deeds. So, it is the world that accuses me of laziness, because I was preaching instead of working. Now these hateful people are more envious, because God has blessed our work."
"I am now arrested for the 10th time for confessing the Word and works of God, which has provided business in several places. I can therefore, as with the first apostles of Christ, boast of bearing chains for the sake of the truth, but it is done in simplicity and not to exalt myself. Opponents can carry a secret admiration for me in their hearts, so they even have to confess to the good!"
"By sharing my experience, I have feared that to other believers this would be like giving the dogs what is holy and throwing pearls before swine (Matt.7,6). The spiritual confession could give the unbelievers the opportunity to mock, but now I can no longer be restrained and silent."
- Sample Verses -
Hauge's work includes many scriptures from a number of the 66 books contained within the bible. These are but a few:
John 5:39: Christ says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
1 Cor. 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for us that are being saved, it is the power of God.”
Galatians 4:16: “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
1 Pet. 4:18: Remember what the apostle Peter says: “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
June 16, 2023
It is kind of what you expect. Hans Nielsen Hauge's first book is an overtly zealous, but also pretty basic, consideration of the world's folly(God's wisdom). It shines through that he is not a theologian or as well read as he later became, but instead that he is a layman and writes as a layman. Still, part of history and an important glimpse into the early thinking of this great man.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews