Rector Nansen because he needed more time for research, Archbishop Hammar for personal reasons relating to his life situation. If such luminaries found it necessary to take such measures, I hope that when I as only an unassuming dean need to step down a few months ahead of time you will understand and forgive any inconvenience this may cause. In its meeting on June 11, the Faculty Board approved my request to resign; the decision becomes effective on August 1st, 2026.
When Structures and Trust Matter More Than Titles
Despite the somewhat unusual, although not unique, situation, I trust that the transition will not be too disruptive. An institution is dependent for its strength and stability on solid structures rather than individual leaders, structures that serve its purpose and facilitates the daily work carried out to reach its goals. UiO has built and refined such structures for over two centuries. At our faculty we have worked consistently and systematically to adapt and implement regulations locally and to shape policies that make things run smoothly. The last few years, we have focussed especially on transparency and collegial participation in decision-making, increasing the number of formal platforms where we all meet and interact, so that we now have more such meeting places than ever before: within fields, between fields, between academic staff and administrative staff, between staff and leadership, and between emeriti and the leadership. We have come a long way, but, as always, more can be done. At the end of the day, though, an institution is at its core an agreement, and as such it is dependent on the dedication, integrity, and good intentions of its members.
Passing the Baton: How the Leadership Transition Will Work
Working with Anne Hege and Hallgeir in the dekanat, and with Tone as Faculty Director, has been a treat, and I’m confident that the faculty is in very good hands as I step down. The terms and regulations at UiO governing situations such as the present prescribe the following course of action if a dean resigns: Just as a pro-rector steps in when a rector steps down less than a year from the time when their tenure would have been completed, the pro-dean steps in when a dean steps down. For TF this means that from August 1st until December 31st 2026, Anne Hege will serve as dean and Hallgeir steps in as pro-dean. I’m very grateful for their leadership and the way in which they have already worked on solutions for the coming semester, with understanding and skill.
A Last Editorial – and a Glimpse of the Road Ahead
All this means, of course, that this TF-Nytt editorial will be my last one. Perhaps, for that reason, a few words on my experience of and vision for our faculty in the years to come would be appropriate.
A Faculty Defined by Theological and Religious Diversity
I feel deeply that TF as a Faculty has an extremely interesting and effective combination of expertise, both within our various fields and between fields. From ancient biblical and non-canonical texts and histories to medieval and modern church history, from ethics, systematic theology, philosophy of religion, sociology of religion, anthropology of religion, politics and religion, climate and religion, religion and society, lived religion, practical theology, and hermeneutics, to interreligious studies. For me, this diversity, orbiting theology and religion, describes what a modern 21st century Faculty of Theology should be, and needs to be. Together, we have what it takes to make a significant impact nationally and internationally, in research, teaching, and service to the community. I do believe, though, that, in order to reach more fully our potential, we need to work further on finding solutions that make more use of the many spaces where our work intersects, for example in the three thematic areas that stretches over several of our fields: interreligious studies, feminist and gender studies, and climate/environment studies. This work is ongoing, and I look forward to following and taking part in future developments in this regard.
Crossing Borders: Interdisciplinarity, Global Partners, and Record Ministry Numbers
It is also very encouraging to see how initiatives have developed over the last years in interdisciplinary projects and teaching, and in internationalisation, including in Circle U as well as the implementation of our new collaborative agreements with Yale Divinity School and ACU Melbourne. And of course, I have been extremely impressed by the work that has been done within our theology program, which has resulted in doubling the number of students in our ministry program over the last three years only. As our Dean of Studies has noted, we need to go back a hundred years in TF’s history to match our current number of students for the priesthood.
The Hidden Infrastructure That Makes Academic Life Possible
I have already mentioned administrative work, but there is so much more; IT solutions and a big effort improving our AV situation, just to mention a few areas, as well as the launch of our new and simplified system for keeping track on the time academic staff spend on teaching and administrating. Without our excellent administration we as academic staff would not be able to get any work done. This is true also as we have worked to see our vision of moving up to campus now coming to fruition.
Standing Strong at the Threshold of a New Decade
There is so much more I would like to say, as I’m thinking about what we have achieved together these last years. But let me finish with some words on where I believe we are very well placed to develop further one of our significant strengths as we move towards the next decade.
Strategy 2030: Theology for a Less Polarised, More Open Society
As Dean, and before that as Pro-Dean, I have worked closely with the implementation of our Strategy2030. The Strategy gives the Faculty overall direction, functioning as a steering document of sorts, and we are, of course, required by our Faculty Board to steer towards the goals it lays out. In that document, the overarching concern is to continue to develop research and teaching in theology and religion that prevent polarisation and contributes to an open and socially sustainable society, focussing on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We have come a long way, but there is much that remains to be done – in the church and in other religious and secular institutions, and in society. As the Norwegian government’s Strategi for et livssynsåpent samfunn 2025–2030 explains:
“Et livssynsåpent samfunn betyr at det skal være åpenhet i samfunnet for religion og livssyn som sentrale sider ved menneskelivet. Tros- og livssynsfriheten skal beskyttes. Den er tett forbundet med andre rettigheter som forsamlingsfriheten, organisasjonsfriheten og ytringsfriheten. For at tros- og livssynsfriheten skal være reell er det også viktig at retten til å ikke bli diskriminert eller bli utsatt for rasisme og hatytringer med bakgrunn i religion, blir ivaretatt. I et livssynsåpent samfunn skal det være trygt å gi uttrykk for tro og ikke-tro, gjennom ord, handlinger og symboler. [...] Tros- og livssynssamfunnene har gjennom flere tiår bygget opp et unikt dialogarbeid på tvers av tro og livssyn. Dialogen har bygget fellesskap og kunnskap, og dette har hatt en konfliktforebyggende effekt. Denne innsatsen har vært sentral i å legge grunnlaget for et livssynsåpent samfunn i praksis.”
From Enforced Uniformity to Lived Pluralism
As part of the University of Oslo, our Faculty has been an important partner in this work to build dialogue and understanding through providing research-based teaching to religious leaders of all backgrounds. Historically in Norway, as in other Scandinavian countries, societal stability and prosperity was thought to be achieved through religious uniformity and legislated intolerance towards difference. Today, as our societies have become increasingly multi-religious, the exact opposite is true: stability and the good life can hardly be realized without understanding and respect between different religions and life stances.
Interreligious Dialogue as Democratic and Social Preparedness
As Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on June 8th when celebrating STL’s 30th anniversary, society’s stability depends on tolerance, respect, and cooperation between people from different religious backgrounds. Stable interreligious relations are, he said, a key part of our defence preparedness in uncertain times. As we are all aware, Norway is now increasing spending in the military sector. This, the prime minister said, is expensive, but simple. Building interreligious relations is much cheaper, but difficult. Such relations require both knowledge and skills, and here, I believe, TF has been and remains a key player in collaboration with a range of partners, not least STL.
Educating Religious Leaders and Professionals for a Multi-Religious Norway
While we at TF maintain, and should maintain, a focus on educating ministers for the Church of Norway, we have also worked to receive government funding to establish both our Jewish pathfinder program and our Muslim pathfinder program. These developments have been important for our Faculty. They continue a trajectory that a few years ago also gave us significant funding to establish our program educating religious leaders as well as LES. I am and remain convinced that, in light of current developments in the world, including in Norway, it is crucial for our society that we continue and deepen our efforts along the same trajectory, educating future ministers, teachers, journalists, medical personnel, law professionals, and others who have key roles in public society in understanding different religious traditions and their interrelationships from a range of perspectives.
Well Placed in History – and Ready to Take on Today’s Challenges
This work requires that we cooperate across disciplines and with strategic partners, seeking funding from relevant institutions and the government. It will not be easy, but I firmly believe that TF is extremely well placed in history and in the current moment to take on the challenge, and that we, based on our expertise and skills, have the responsibility to do so. I look forward to contributing to this work as I return soon to my position as professor of New testament.
A Small Faculty with a Big Impact
A final word. As Anne Hege mentioned at the graduation ceremony last Friday, there will be a more formal opportunity in the fall for me to thank you all for everything we have achieved together over the last few years. But let me say already now that I have been extremely impressed by the expertise and the dedication among both our academic and administrative staff as we have worked proactively and reactively on solving problems, putting out fires, and implementing our Strategy. It has been a privilege to serve the Faculty as dean, but it would have been impossible without your support. We are a small Faculty, but we certainly punch way above our weight, nationally and internationally!
In gratitude and respect,
Anders