A conversation between traditions

Between the Prayer House and the Mass is a personal blog about Christian faith, belonging, and the journey between low-church Protestantism and the Catholic Church.

I grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Sandnes, Norway, in a family that belonged to a pietistic Christian community. Throughout my childhood, I accompanied my parents to church and prayer-house meetings. The preaching, hymns, life of prayer, and literature I encountered there became an important part of my Christian and personal background.

Later in life, questions about faith, assurance of salvation, the Church, and the sacraments led me into a long search. It did not end with a rejection of everything I had received from the low-church tradition. On the contrary, much of it continues to hold great value for me.

What I carry with me

Low-church Christianity has given me help and support, both during my childhood and later in life. I have met preachers and pastors who sincerely wanted to help people find faith, trust, and hope. Low-church devotional literature has also been important to me. During difficult periods, it has helped me keep my head above water.

At the same time, I encountered questions and tensions for which I could not easily find answers. My encounter with Catholicism opened other perspectives on the Church, the sacraments, tradition, and the Christian life. This blog therefore finds its place precisely between the prayer house and the Mass – where the things I have received from two Christian traditions meet.

This is not primarily a blog about declaring winners and losers. I want to explore what the traditions can learn from one another, what they have given to people, and how their different answers may matter in a life actually lived.

What you will find here

Here I write about personal experiences, Christian preaching and devotional literature, church history, theology, and questions that have accompanied me throughout my life.

Some texts are clearly personal. Others explore historical or theological subjects. What they share is a desire to understand before passing judgement – and to take both faith and human experience seriously.

The blog reflects my own thoughts. It does not represent any church, denomination, or organisation.

Working method and artificial intelligence

The texts are based on my own experiences, questions, assessments, and convictions. In my work, I also use artificial intelligence as a tool, including for developing ideas, structuring material, language editing, and translation.

AI can suggest wording, identify possible connections, and help me organise the material. It can also be mistaken, oversimplify, or give a text a voice that is not my own. I therefore review and revise the content myself. The final selection, the views expressed, and responsibility for everything published here are mine.

In historical and theological articles, I try, as far as possible, to distinguish between personal experience, my own interpretations, and information that can be verified through sources.

Contact and conversation

Comments, questions, and thoughtful feedback are welcome. You can contact me at kontakt@mellombedehusogmesse.no.