Professor Leiv Aalen (1906-1983)

Leiv Aalen was born in Ryfylke, Norway, September 21st 1906, and grew up in Stavanger. He graduated from MF Norwegian School of Theology in 1935. For some years his theology was influenced by liberal protestantism. In the mid 1930's he returned to the Christianity of his parents, dominated by his teacher Ole Hallesby's Erfahrungstheologie. He continued his studies in Germany (Erlangen and Tübingen). In 1937 he became a research fellow at MF, and in 1957 full professor. Through the Erlangen theologian Hermann Sasse, he found a safe haven in the Lutheran Confession. After the 2. World War, Aalen was instrumental in the reestablishment of the periodical Tidsskrift for Teologi og Kirke, and the organization Forening for Bibel og Bekjennelse (FBB). Aalen published his doctoral thesis in 1952. In its German translation (Die Theologie des Jungen Zinzendorf, Berlin 1966) it is still an international standard reference work. Aalen was a firm gnesio-Lutheran à la the Formula of Concord (Aalens own expression), a position he steadfastly maintained.