trosbekjennelse

Trosbekjennelse, in Norwegian, is a formal declaration of faith or a concise statement of core beliefs confessed by a religious community or an individual. The term derives from tro (faith) and bekjennelse (confession). In Christian use, trosbekjennelse refers to creeds—short, structured summaries of doctrine used in worship, catechesis and personal faith declarations. Common examples are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

Creeds serve to articulate central Christian doctrines and to unify worship and teaching across generations and linguistic or cultural boundaries. They typically address the nature of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection, and the hope of eternal life. Historically, creeds emerged in the early church to safeguard essential beliefs and to settle disputes about doctrine. The Apostles’ Creed is often associated with the early apostolic preaching, while the Nicene Creed was developed in ecumenical councils in the 4th century; the Athanasian Creed later provided a detailed Trinitarian and Christological statement.

In Norway and many Nordic churches, trosbekjennelse is a standard element in worship, usually recited during the liturgy and taught within catechesis and confirmation. The term also encompasses personal or denominational doctrinal declarations beyond the church service, reflecting a confessional identity within a tradition.

See also: credo, Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Augsburg Confession.