Hans Nielsen Hauge – før og etter Anton Christian Bang

The first comprehensive historical biography of Hans Nielsen Hauge was published in 1874. The author was Anton Christian Bang (1840–1913), later to become the first professor of church history at the University of Christiania (Oslo). Bang used a large number of written and oral sources. His main perspective is a very positive evaluation of Hauge, his theology and activities. Bang portrays the preacher on a very dark background of contemporary “rationalism” dominating the Norwegian clergy. Bang also argues that Hauge was of high importance for the development of both church and society. Anton Christian Bang’s biography was for almost a century regarded as the most important contribution to understanding Hans Nielsen Hauge. The biography was perfectly fitted to make later religious organisations in Norway claiming Hauge their spiritual and historical hero and ideal, thus creating a Bakhtinian monoglossia. Bang also claimed that Hauge should be included in the historical memory of the Norwegian nation.