Great Swedish Pietist: Dag Hammarskjöld
Posted by dlw in Uncategorized at 12:04 pm | 
Permanent Link
Kudos a minn bror i tro(my brother in faith) Daniel Astgård, who has been dialoguing with me on Faith and Politics in the comments of my house church model for political activism, I have learned about the life of Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld. Here is the introductory paragraph on his influences.
[He] was the youngest of four sons of Agnes (Almquist) Hammarskjöld and Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, prime minister of Sweden, member of the Hague Tribunal, governor of Uppland, chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation. In a brief piece written for a radio program in 1953, Dag Hammarskjöld spoke of the influence of his parents: “From generations of soldiers and government officials on my father’s side I inherited a belief that no life was more satisfactory than one of selfless service to your country - or humanity. This service required a sacrifice of all personal interests, but likewise the courage to stand up unflinchingly for your convictions. From scholars and clergymen on my mother’s side, I inherited a belief that, in the very radical sense of the Gospels, all men were equals as children of God, and should be met and treated by us as our masters in God.”
He was a renaissance man, with a strong interest in political economy and a commitment to public service. He was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1953 for a five-year term and reelected in 1957, made the Secretary-General the executive for operations for peace, and then tragically died in a plane crash after trying to press for peace in Congo in 1961.
Apparently, after his death, there were found the theological reflections that on the negotiations with myself and with God. These are now published as Markings.
Anyways, a salute to a man of peace and a man of God who embodied much of what is good in Swedish heritage.
dlw
The 16th of November, 2006 at 2:02 pm
You really should get the book! Here are some of the reflections:
“Your position never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of so living your life that others can receive your orders without being humiliated.”
“The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by the indifference of others.”
My publishing company is currently translating a book on the inner life of the christian leader based largely on Hammarskjölds Markings.
The 16th of November, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I ordered a used version of the book for $3.50.
thankyou,
blessings!
dlw(and don’t forget to pass along my house church idea for political activism to others!)