Comparing Norse Mythology And Christianity

Norse Mythology and Christianity

Before the spread of Christianity into Western Europe and Scandinavia Norse mythology ruled the land. The northern Germanic and Scandinavian people who made up the Vikings believed in a religion that was centered around the gods. During the 11th century Anglo-Saxons and German missionaries arrived to attempt to convert the pagans, many were met with with conflict, but some were able to convert them to Christianity. After the rise of Christianity in Germany and Scandinavia Norse mythology mainly faded away from existence.

There are many differences between Christianity and Norse mythology, the main one being the God figure. Christians believe in one God who is three parts. Norse pagans believe that there are 12 important gods, with many more less important gods. Another difference is Heaven and Hell. While pagans

According to Norse mythology the world will be engulfed in flame and the seas will boil, after this Asgard will be completely destroyed by the fire giant Surtr. The mythology states that after these events there will be two human survivors, one man one woman, who will live amongst the remaining gods who survived Ragnarök. “A more sensitive reading of the primary sources makes it obvious that what Ragnarok describes is a cyclical end of the world, after which follows a new creation, which will in turn be followed by another Ragnarok, and so on throughout eternity”(McCoy). Christianity states that at the end of the world there will first be the rapture, all believers are taken from the earth to heaven, followed by a seven year war between Jesus and The Antichrist. After the war is over Satan will be thrown into a lake of fire and there will be a 1000 year period of peace before he is released defeated again and cast in the lake for eternity along with all the