Our Beliefs

OAFA Statement of Belief

 

The Odinsberg Ancestral Faith Alliance (OAFA) draws from Scandinavian traditions and a deeply rooted sense of the sacredness of nature. At the heart of OAFA is a harmonious blend of Arian Christology, panentheistic theology, and Norse Dual-Faith practices. This article will explore how each of these components shapes the identity of the OAFA and creates a path for followers to honor their ancestral roots while embracing a balanced, unified faith.

 

      1. Christology: The Arian View of 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 Jesus, though divine, was not co-equal with God the Father. Instead, Jesus was seen as the first and greatest of God’s creations, existing in a powerful yet subordinate role to the Father. For the OAFA, this understanding of Christ offers a way to revere Jesus as a bridge between humanity and the divine, without entirely merging His essence with God.

 

In the Arian view, Christ’s role is one of divine mediator—a guide and teacher who embodies divine wisdom and strength, yet who remains distinct from the supreme God. This perspective allows followers to honor Jesus as the highest expression of divine love, compassion, and courage while maintaining a clear hierarchy within the spiritual realm. This approach resonates with the hierarchical relationships in Norse mythology, where divine beings each hold distinct, sacred roles within the cosmos.

 

      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 respectful relationship with nature, viewing the earth as a sacred space 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 that lives within each tree, river, and mountain.

 

For the OAFA, panentheism opens a pathway for reverence toward the divine within and beyond, allowing for a sense of connection with the universe that complements and deepens the Arian view of Christ as a bridge between humanity and the divine.

 

      3. Norse Dual-Faith: Honoring Two Spiritual 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 view the Norse gods as spiritual guides, ancestors, and protectors, each representing aspects of the divine in different forms. 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 Æsir and Vanir represent different aspects of the divine in Norse cosmology, God the Father and Jesus occupy roles within a balanced spiritual hierarchy.

 

This relationship is understood as an earthly reflection of the heavenly synthesis between the Æsir and Vanir, two divine families in Norse mythology who once were at odds but 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 is one of respect for both the old ways, Forn Sidr, and the new path, Nyr Sidr, combining ancient tradition with Christian insights.

 

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 Jesus 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. 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.