15 Facts About Gerhard Gerhardsson

Gerhard Gerhardsson was a Swedish craftsman and religious leader.

Gerhard Gerhardsson was born in Fallfors, Byske parish, Vasterbotten, Sweden, to farmer Gerdt Nilsson and Cathrina Andersdotter.

Gerhard Gerhardsson was raised in a Pietist Old Reader religious environment.

Gerhard Gerhardsson's confirmation left him feeling a spiritual calling and in late 1814, in his early 20s, he experienced a religious crisis.

Gerhard Gerhardsson was known to be zealous and argumentative, forcefully speaking out against what he considered false.

Gerhard Gerhardsson disagreed in part with Lutheran theologian Johann Arndt's True Christianity, ending in a dispute with two local priests.

The year after, 1819, Larsson and Gerhardsson stood trial in the Skelleftea Church for rebellious activity and disobedience to priests, bishops and the service order, and for violating the Conventicle Act.

Gerhard Gerhardsson believed it led to a false Christianity due to a lack of focus on the struggle against sin.

Gerhard Gerhardsson struggled with the New Readers' "hyperevangelism" and instead placed a strong emphasis on repentance and sanctification.

Gerhard Gerhardsson eventually distanced himself significantly from the New Readers.

Gerhard Gerhardsson believed the church's order, given by God, must be upheld despite any issues with church leadership.

Gerhard Gerhardsson became a strong promoter in the region of Schartau's work and gained a number of new followers after having lost some of his previous followers.

Likewise, Gerhardsson felt Rosenius had gone in the wrong direction to some extent.

Gerhard Gerhardsson died the following year in Burtrask parish, Vasterbotten.

Gerhard Gerhardsson's influence remained in the area for some time as well as in other parts of Sweden.