SÖDERBLOM, NATHAN

Lutheran archbishop, historian of religion, theologian, leader in the ecumenical movement, principal promoter of the life and work movement; b. Trönö, Sweden, Jan. 1, 1866; d. Uppsala, July 12, 1931. Son of a Pietist pastor, he was ordained a Lutheran minister (1893), and served as pastor of the Swedish congregation in Paris from 1894 until he received his doctorate from the Sorbonne (1901), where he specialized in the study of comparative religion, especially Persian religion. From 1901 to 1914 he was professor of the history of religions at the University of Uppsala and also at Leipzig University (1912–14). From 1914 to 1931 he was archbishop of Uppsala and primate of the Church of Sweden. His engaging personality won him a very wide circle of international friendships, also among Catholics, whose liturgy and piety appealed to him, although he was sharply critical of the "Roman system." As a theologian he was much influenced by Louis sabatier, ritschl, and other Liberal Protestants and to some extent by proponents of Modernism, such as loisy, tyrrell, and Von hÜgel. His ability, industry, and outstanding oratorical qualities made him the leading force in the Swedish Church and in European Protestantism, despite conservative opposition. His intervention in behalf of war prisoners and displaced persons during World War I and his advocacy of peace won him the Nobel peace prize (1930).

Söderblom's interest in Christian reunion began during his student years and increased during a visit to the U.S. (1890) and journeys elsewhere. He sought the cooperation of all Christian denominations in solving social problems and in serving society without consideration of doctrinal differences. Largely because of him the Universal Christian Council on Life and Work came into being. This movement formed one of the two main streams that in 1948 merged in the world council of churches.

Söderblom's numerous writings, few of which have been translated into English, include La Vie future d'après Mazdéisme (1901), Humor och Melankoli (a study of Luther, 1919), and Einigung der Christenheit (1938). His translated books include The Nature of Revelation (1933), Christian Fellowship (1923), and The Living God (1933).

Bibliography: n. karlstrÖm, ed., N. Söderblom in memoriam (Stockholm 1931), with bibliog. p. katz, Nathan Söderblom: Ein Führer zur kirchlichen Einheit (Halle 1925). t. andrae, Nathan Söderblom (Berlin 1938), originally pub. in Swed. r. rouse and s. c. neill, eds., A History of the Ecumenical Movement, 1517–1948 (London 1954).

[s. j. miller]