Elias Aslaksen (1888 – 1976) was the leader of
Brunstad Christian Church
from 1943 until his death in 1976.
Aslaksen
enlisted in the Royal Norwegian
Navy and studied at the Norwegian Naval Academy
, graduating in 1910 as the top student in the
history of the Academy.
Aslaksen met
Johan Oscar Smith in
1908 while both served in the Navy.
Being an active Christian, Aslaksen had
plans to travel to China
as
missionary, and studied for a short period at a Bible School in
England
. Following ongoing correspondence with
Smith, Aslaksen became active in Smith's religious work. During the
First World War, Aslaksen served with
the Navy, patrolling Norway's coastline. While on shore leave at
various ports on Norway's south and west coast, he was an active
and enthusiastic missionary, preaching the message of
sanctification through victory over sin
that Smith was also preaching.
After leaving the Navy, Aslaksen dedicated his life to the work in
the church and became a leading figure in the growth and
development of the group now known as
Brunstad Christian Church.
In later
years, Aslaksen travelled to Denmark
, Germany
, Finland
, the
Netherlands
and England
where
churches were also established.
Although Aslaksen's main focus was his work for the church, he made
significant contributions to society in general. He was
instrumental in justifying the position of Christians in military
service, explaining from the Bible that Christians both can and
should participate in military service. In a broader sense, this
led to a definition of Christian values that included both duty and
loyalty to the society in which one lives.
Following Smith's death in 1943, Aslaksen became the leader of The
Christian Church. He was a prolific writer and authored many
articles, books and hymns.
Aslaksen
died in Hønefoss
, Norway
on 10 May
1976. Sigurd Bratlie became
the leader of Brunstad Christian Church after Aslaksen's
death.
References