Odd Bondevik
Encyclopedia
Odd Bondevik was the bishop
of Møre
in the Church of Norway
from 17 November 1991 until retirement in 2008.
In retirement, he is putting together a new Norwegian translation of the Old Testament. He was noted for proposing that the word "hell" be edited out of the bible.
, and worked as a missionary
to Japan
(1969–78). From 1987 he worked at the home office of the Norwegian Missionary Society
(NMS) as a secretary for mission. In 1980 he became the General Secretary of the Society, a position a held until he was consecrated bishop in 1991.
Bondevik's father was the politician and member of parliament Kjell Bondevik
and he is a cousin of Kjell Magne Bondevik
, the former Prime Minister of Norway
.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Møre
Diocese of Møre
The Diocese of Møre is a diocese in the Church of Norway which geographically consists of Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. Its bishop and cathedral are located in the county administrative center of Molde...
in the Church of Norway
Church of Norway
The Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith...
from 17 November 1991 until retirement in 2008.
In retirement, he is putting together a new Norwegian translation of the Old Testament. He was noted for proposing that the word "hell" be edited out of the bible.
Career
Bondevik is an alumnus of MF Norwegian School of TheologyMF Norwegian School of Theology
The Norwegian School of Theology , is a private, independent, accredited Norwegian specialised university...
, and worked as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1969–78). From 1987 he worked at the home office of the Norwegian Missionary Society
Norwegian Missionary Society
The Norwegian Missionary Society is a Norwegian missionary organization.It was started by a group of approx 180 people in the town of Stavanger in Norway in August 1842. The goal was to spread the Christian religion to other peoples, mainly in Africa...
(NMS) as a secretary for mission. In 1980 he became the General Secretary of the Society, a position a held until he was consecrated bishop in 1991.
Bondevik's father was the politician and member of parliament Kjell Bondevik
Kjell Bondevik
Kjell Bondevik was a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party.He was born in Leikanger. He graduated with the cand.philol. and mag.art. degrees in 1927. He worked as a teacher and headmaster in schools in Oslo, Haugesund and Sauda...
and he is a cousin of Kjell Magne Bondevik
Kjell Magne Bondevik
Kjell Magne Bondevik is a Norwegian Lutheran minister and politician . He served as Prime Minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2005, making him Norway's longest serving non-Labour Party Prime Minister since World War II...
, the former Prime Minister of Norway
Prime Minister of Norway
The Prime Minister of Norway is the political leader of Norway and the Head of His Majesty's Government. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Stortinget , to their political party, and ultimately the...
.