Our Beliefs 

The Odinsberg Ancestral Faith Alliance (OAFA) is built upon three foundational principles: Arian Christology, panentheistic theology, and Norse Dual-Faith practices. These elements shape our spiritual path, allowing us to honor our ancestral roots while embracing a balanced, unified faith. The OAFA offers a way to walk the path of both our forebears and our spiritual convictions, blending the wisdom of the old ways with the insights of Christian theology.

 

1. Christology: The Arian View of Iesu (Jesus)

 

In the early days of Christianity’s spread across Europe, many Scandinavian tribes adopted a form of Christianity known as Arianism. This Christological position taught that Iesus, though divine, was not co-equal with God the Father. Instead, Iesu, the first and greatest of God’s creations, serves as a divine mediator—subordinate to the Father yet uniquely embodying divine wisdom.

 

In the Arian view, Christ’s role is that of a bridge between humanity and the divine—a guide and teacher who embodies divine wisdom and strength, yet remains distinct from the supreme God. This perspective allows followers to honor Iesu as the highest expression of divine love, compassion, and courage while still maintaining the distinction between Him and the Father Almighty.

 

This approach resonates with the hierarchical relationships in Norse mythology, where divine beings each hold distinct, sacred roles within the cosmos. Just as Odin leads the Aesir but is not the sole divine force, Christ stands as the highest of God’s creations without merging entirely with the Father.

 

2. Theology: A Panentheistic Vision of the Divine

 

The OAFA’s theology embraces panentheism, a perspective that sees God as both transcendent and immanent—present within all of creation and yet extending beyond it. This vision is not confined to a single form or place; rather, it sees the divine as woven into the very fabric of the universe, illuminating the earth, the heavens, and all life within.

 

Panentheism resonates with the Scandinavian worldview, which often recognized divine presence within the natural world. By honoring God as both near and far, the OAFA fosters a sacred relationship with nature, viewing the earth as a place where God’s spirit resides. This theology enriches the spiritual journey, inviting followers to see God not only as the Creator but also as the sustaining force within each tree, river, and mountain.

 

For the OAFA, panentheism deepens the Arian view of Christ as a bridge between humanity and the divine, while also allowing space for reverence toward the broader spiritual forces that shape existence.

 

3. Norse Dual-Faith: Honoring Two Paths

 

The Dual-Faith tradition of the OAFA brings together elements of both Norse and Christian beliefs, creating a balanced and respectful integration of both traditions. Norse Dual-Faith recognizes the spiritual wisdom of the ancestors while embracing Christian teachings, thus bridging the ancient and modern spiritual landscapes. This path is neither a fusion nor a dilution of either tradition; rather, it is a living partnership that allows followers to engage with both Christian and Norse practices.

 

Norse Rituals and Christian Worship

 

OAFA followers engage in traditional Norse rituals, such as blóts (sacrifices or offerings) and sumbels (ceremonial toasts and oaths), to honor the gods and spirits of the land. These practices are done in the spirit of panentheism, acknowledging the divine essence in all things and seeking blessings from Norse deities such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja.

 

At the same time, OAFA followers may also embrace Christian worship, with prayer and contemplation focused on God and Christ. The Arian Christology enables them to see Christ as a powerful intermediary who stands alongside the Norse gods, offering divine guidance and protection. Special rites and feast days that honor both Christian saints and Norse gods provide a structured way to celebrate these dual traditions in harmony.

 

Honoring the Norse Gods and the Christian Saints

 

In Dual-Faith practice, followers recognize the Norse gods as distinct spiritual beings who embody divine forces, wisdom, and virtues. These gods are not seen in opposition to the Christian God but as part of a broader spiritual ecosystem where divine beings coexist and interact. Just as the Aesir and Vanir represent different aspects of the divine in Norse cosmology, God the Father and Iesu occupy roles within a balanced spiritual hierarchy.

 

This relationship is understood as an earthly reflection of the heavenly synthesis between the Aesir and Vanir—two divine families in Norse mythology who were once at odds but ultimately came together in harmony. For the OAFA, the peaceful coexistence of Norse and Christian elements mirrors this ancient truce, reminding followers that unity and mutual respect are the highest spiritual virtues.

 

Path of the Ancestors

 

Central to OAFA’s Norse Dual-Faith practice is the idea of honoring the wisdom and legacy of the ancestors. For the ancient Norse tribes, the ancestors were a source of guidance, courage, and wisdom. By honoring Norse heritage alongside Christian teachings, OAFA followers respect the legacy of their forebears while looking toward the future with a balanced and unified faith.

 

This path embraces both the old ways, Forn Sidr, and the new path, Nyr Sidr, recognizing that tradition is not meant to be stagnant but to evolve. The OAFA seeks to restore what was lost, not merely to preserve history but to bring it forward into a living and thriving faith.

 

A Faith of Balance and Unity

 

The Odinsberg Ancestral Faith Alliance embodies a spiritual path that harmonizes Christology, panentheism, and Norse Dual-Faith, offering followers a balanced way to engage with the divine. By honoring both Iesu and the Norse gods, OAFA celebrates a faith that acknowledges life’s dualities—light and dark, heaven and earth, Christian and Norse—as aspects of a greater unity.

 

Just as the Aesir and Vanir overcame their differences and forged a lasting peace, the OAFA sees the path of faith as one of reconciliation—between old and new, Norse and Christian, ancestral and evolving.

 

This path teaches that contrasts can coexist and enrich one another, allowing followers to cultivate a faith that reflects the world’s natural harmony and complexity.

 

In embracing this synthesis, the OAFA offers a spiritual home for those who seek to honor their ancestral heritage and Christian beliefs, creating a path that is as timeless as it is adaptable. Through this unique blend of Christology, theology, and Dual-Faith, the Odinsberg Ancestral Faith Alliance forges a future that both reveres the past and looks forward with faith, unity, and purpose.