Part of: EuropeNorthern EuropeNordic Countries
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The identity of the nation
Norway is a Scandinavian country of deep fjords, mountains and a long coastline washed by the Arctic. Behind the striking landscape and the wealth generated by North Sea oil lies a historically Christian people who today, for the most part, live out a faith that is more cultural than personal.
Christianity arrived in Norway more than a thousand years ago, in the age of the Vikings, and for centuries shaped national identity through the Lutheran church. In the eighteenth century, a lay preacher sparked one of the greatest popular revivals in the country’s history, showing that personal, living faith always had a place there. Today, however, most Norwegians are Christian only by baptism and tradition: the church ceased to be the official religion of the State in 2012, and religious practice has declined alongside the advance of secularism.
Alongside the native population, there are immigrant and refugee communities from majority Muslim countries, many concentrated in the outskirts of the major cities and still without a single church in their own language. At the same time, the arrival of Christians from other continents, especially Africa and Asia, has brought new life to congregations that were once dwindling.
Historically, Norway was one of the nations that sent the most Christian workers abroad in proportion to its population, a legacy of generosity that still inspires part of the local church. Today’s challenge is less a lack of freedom and more indifference: a prosperous, secure, materially satisfied people who no longer feel a need for God.
Even so, there are signs of hope: a faithful and active evangelical minority, the growth of immigrant churches and a growing interest among young people in deep spiritual questions, amid long, dark winters that stir in many a search for meaning and for light.
- For centuries, small Nordic kingdoms and tribes inhabit the Scandinavian coast before the country's unification.
- 872 King Harald Fairhair unifies the regional kingdoms, forming the first kingdom of Norway.
- 995-1030 Kings Olaf Tryggvason and Olaf II promote the Christianization of the country; Olaf II becomes the first great Nordic Christian symbol after dying in battle.
- 1380 Beginning of the union with Denmark, which lasts more than 400 years.
- 1796-1804 Lay preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge leads one of the greatest popular revivals in the country's history, despite being persecuted under the law of the time.
- 1814 End of the union with Denmark; Norway adopts its own constitution, but is forced into a new union, now with Sweden.
- 1905 Full and peaceful independence from Sweden.
- 1940-1945 German occupation in the Second World War; church leaders resist pressure from the Nazi regime.
- 2012 The Church of Norway ceases to be the official state church following a constitutional amendment.
- Today A prosperous and increasingly secular country, with a small but active evangelical church, and immigrant peoples still unreached with the gospel.
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Norwegian (Bokmål)most widely used written form, adopted by most municipalities and the media
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Norwegian (Nynorsk)second official written form, more common in the west of the country
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Samilanguages of the indigenous peoples of the north, spoken by a small minority and now endangered
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Immigrant languagessuch as Arabic, Urdu, Somali and Polish, spoken by communities that arrived in recent decades
Norway occupies the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, in northern Europe, with a coastline cut by deep fjords and more than two hundred thousand islands. A large part of the territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not set in summer and barely appears during winter.
Major cities
- OsloCapital, political and economic center
- BergenCity of the fjords, marked by maritime trade
- TrondheimFormer Viking capital, home to Nidaros Cathedral
- StavangerHub of the oil industry
- TromsøGateway to the Arctic and the northern lights
- ÅlesundPort city rebuilt in art nouveau style
Climate and temperature
Fårikål
Lamb stew with cabbage and peppercorns, considered the national dish.
Rakfisk
Fish fermented for months, served with thin bread and onion, an autumn tradition.
Brunost
Sweetened brown cheese made from whey, a fixture at breakfast.
Lefse
Thin, soft potato flatbread, rolled with butter and sugar.
Pinnekjøtt
Salted and dried lamb ribs, a traditional Christmas dish.
Kjøttkaker
Meatballs served with dark gravy, potatoes and berry jam.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Outdoor life (friluftsliv)
Norwegians have a deep bond with nature; hiking, skiing and camping are part of everyday life.
Modesty and equality (Janteloven)
An unwritten social norm discourages showing off or thinking oneself better than others; equality is highly valued.
Emotional reserve
Initial contact tends to be discreet and formal; trust and closeness come with time.
Punctuality and organization
Commitments are taken seriously, and lateness is seen as a lack of respect.
Social well-being
A strong public healthcare and education system shapes the expectation of security and mutual care.
Viking and historical heritage
The Viking past and the long maritime tradition are a source of pride and national identity.
- Speaking loudly or showing off Goes against Janteloven, the cultural norm that values modesty.
- Being overly effusive right from the first contact Norwegians prefer a gradual approach and respect for personal space.
- Comparing Norway to Sweden or Denmark Norwegian national identity is strong and distinct from its Nordic neighbors.
- Arriving late to appointments Punctuality is a sign of respect and responsibility.
- Treating faith as a casual conversation topic Many Norwegians see religion as a personal, private matter.
- Ignoring silence in conversations Pauses and silences are normal and don't need to be filled hastily.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Social well-being and prosperity lead many to live as if they had no need of God.
A large part of the population calls itself Christian by tradition and baptism, without a living personal faith.
The pursuit of personal autonomy weakens family ties and faith community bonds.
The revival of old Viking symbols and beliefs attracts young people searching for spiritual identity.
The long, dark winters increase isolation and emotional fragility.
Alcohol consumption is used to cope with the cold, loneliness and social pressure.
Security and wealth can replace the spiritual search with comfort and consumption.
Communities from Muslim countries live isolated from the gospel within the country itself.
Janteloven, the norm that discourages standing out, also makes it harder to openly declare one's faith.
Absolute truths are viewed with suspicion, and faith is treated as one opinion among others.
In Norway, religious freedom is guaranteed by law, and Christians can gather, publish and speak of their faith without fear of violence from the State. The greatest challenge is not persecution but the silent pressure of secularization: speaking openly about Jesus in public is often seen as strange or out of place in a society that treats faith as a private matter.
Those born into Muslim families who decide to follow Christ often face rejection from their own family and community of origin, even though they run no legal risk. New laws on what can be said or taught in public spaces and schools have sparked debate among different religious groups, concerned about preserving room to live out and teach their faith openly.
Even though small, the evangelical church remains active, and communities of Christians from Africa and Asia have brought new life to congregations that were once dwindling.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Norway has 53 people groups, most made up of immigrant and refugee communities from the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa, many of them majority Muslim. About a third of these peoples are still considered unreached, among them Afghans, Moroccans and Bosnians who live in neighborhoods of Norway's major cities, almost always without a single church or Christian community in their own language and culture. At the same time, the native Norwegian population, mostly Christian in name, is considered only partially reached, with a great need for a revival that renews a faith that today is more cultural than lived.
- 5.7% Unreached (313K)
- 2% Minimally reached (111K)
- 4% Superficially reached (221K)
- 87.2% Partially reached (4.8M)
- 1.1% Significantly reached (61K)
- 32.1% Unreached (17)
- 7.5% Minimally reached (4)
- 11.3% Superficially reached (6)
- 37.7% Partially reached (20)
- 11.3% Significantly reached (6)
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Turk Frontier
Southern Pashtun Frontier
Norwegian Jew
Afghan
Bosniak Frontier
Albanian
Eritrean Tigre Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
- 75% With complete Bible (36)
- 25% Only portions of the Bible (12)
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary.
Norwegian Official
Levantine Arabic
Mesopotamian Arabic
Northeastern Thai
Western Punjabi
Gheg Albanian
North Mesopotamian Arabic
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
the capital, Oslo, is one of the most expensive cities in the world
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn a few words in Norwegian: almost everyone speaks fluent English, but the effort is appreciated.
- Dress in layers: the weather changes quickly, even in summer.
- Respect personal space: Norwegians value physical distance and comfortable silence.
- Be punctual: lateness is seen as a lack of respect.
- Avoid bragging: the culture values modesty, known as Janteloven.
- Make the most of daylight: in summer the sun barely sets; in winter, days are very short.
- Plan your budget carefully: the cost of living is among the highest in the world.
- Discover friluftsliv: hiking in nature is a natural part of Norwegian social life.