Jan-Olav Henriksen

Professor

Systematic Theology
Jan.O.Henriksen@mf.no
Office: 340
Phone number: 22590534

Henriksen is a Professor of systematic theology and teaches and does research in all areas of that discipline, although his main subject is Philosophy of religion. His present research focuses on different dimensions of the relationship between God and human experience, as well as on religion interpreted from a pragmaticist angle. He also holds a keen interest in the conditions for religion in a post-secular society and has developed theology related to the climate crisis. Part of his research is multidisciplinary, with connections to philosophy, sociology, and psychology of religion.

Selected publications

View all publications on the Norwegian Research Information Repository

Henriksen, J. (2017). Å ødelegge seg selv : om religionens og moralens mørke sider, Skapelsesnåde. Festskrift til Svein Aage Christoffersen,, s. 213 - 227. ISBN: 9788270998807
Henriksen, J. (2016). Everyday Religion as Orientation and Transformation: a Challenge to Theology, Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, s. 36 - 51. Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, ISSN: 0809-7291
Henriksen, J. (2016). God in Martin Luther, Religion: Oxford Research Encyclopedias,, s. 1 - 22. ISBN: 9780199340378
Henriksen, J. & Sandnes, K. O. (2016). Jesus as healer : a Gospel for the body, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN: 9780802873316
Henriksen, J. (2016). God revealed through human agency – Divine agency and embodied practices of faith, hope, and love, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 453 - 472. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2016). Mangfold og tvetydighet : aktuelle blikk på religion, Portal forlag, ISBN: 9788283140743
Henriksen, J. (2015). A new basis for natural religion? Recent explanations of religion and their challenges to contemporary philosophy of religion, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 464 - 482. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2014). The Role of Experience in the Assessment of Human Nature, Theology and Science, s. 324 - 337. Theology and Science, ISSN: 1474-6700
Henriksen, J. (2014). Challenges to the Traditional Christian Concept of History, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, s. 855 - 874. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, ISSN: 0591-2385
Henriksen, J. (2014). Struggling with change: The predicament of evolution and change for religious traditions, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 441 - 453. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2014). Life, love, and hope : God and human experience, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN: 978-0-8028-7149-7
Henriksen, J. (2013). Distinct, unique, or separate? : challenges to theological anthropology and soteriology in light of human evolution, Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology, s. 166 - 183. Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology, ISSN: 0039-338X
Henriksen, J. (2013). Relating God and the self : dynamic interplay, Ashgate, ISBN: 978-1-4094-6548-5
Henriksen, J. (2013). Revelation between cognitive science of religion and dialectical theology, Theology and Science, s. 356 - 369 . Theology and Science, ISSN: 1474-6700
Henriksen, J. & Pabst, K. (2013). Uventet og ubedt, Universitetsforlaget, ISBN: 978-82-15-02155-3
Henriksen, J. & Kurtén, T. (2012). Crisis and change : religion, ethics and theology under late modern conditions, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, ISBN: 9781443837491
Henriksen, J. (2011). Religion : mellom troens isolasjon og uvitenhetens forakt, Cappelen Damm Høyskoleforlaget, ISBN: 978-82-7634-911-5
Henriksen, J. (2011). Finitude and theological anthropology : an interdisciplinary exploration into theological dimensions of finitude, Peeters Publishers, ISBN: 978-90-429-2458-1
Henriksen, J. (2010). Eros and/as desire - a theological affirmation : Paul Tillich read in the light of Jean-Luc Marion's The Erotic Phenomenon, Modern Theology, s. 220 - 242. Modern Theology, ISSN: 0266-7177
Christoffersen, S. A. & Henriksen, J. (2010). Religionens livstolkning. Innføring i kristendommens religionsfilosofi, ISBN: 978-82-15-01749-5
Henriksen, J. (2009). Menneskesyn : historisk arv og fortsat aktualitet, Klim, ISBN: 9788779555754
Henriksen, J. (2009). Desire, gift, and recognition : Christology and postmodern philosophy, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN: 9780802863713
Henriksen, J. (2007). Teologi i dag : samvittighet og selvkritikk, Fagbokforlaget, ISBN: 9788245006179
Repstad, P. & Henriksen, J. (2005). Mykere kristendom? Sørlandsreligion i endring, Fagbokforlaget

Latest academic publications

View all publications on the Norwegian Research Information Repository

Henriksen, J. (2025). Human Nature and the Climate Crisis. The Political Challenge. Perspectives for the Philosophy of Religion, ARCHIVIO DI FILOSOFIA, s. 141 - 153. ARCHIVIO DI FILOSOFIA, ISSN: 0004-0088
Schnell, T. & Henriksen, J. (2025). Search for Meaning in the Anthropocene: A Dialogue Between Psychology and Theology, Dialog, Dialog, ISSN: 0012-2033
Henriksen, J. (2025). Theology and Climate Change, Redeeming the Sense of the Universal. Scandinavian Creation Theology on Politics and Ecology,, ISBN: 9783525568743
Henriksen, J. (2024). Experiences Processed by Religious Means : Assessing Theoretical Approaches to “Religious Experience” and their Theological Significance, Peeters Publishers, ISBN: 9789042953949
Henriksen, J. (2024). God – justice – climate change, Stellenbosch theological journal, Stellenbosch theological journal
Henriksen, J. (2024). Religions and Responsibility, T&T Clark Handbook of the Doctrine of Creation,, s. 737 - 747. ISBN: 9780567686480
Henriksen, J. (2023). God - the opportunity for continued discontent, The European Reception of John D. Caputo's Thought : Radicalizing Theology,, s. 199 - 211. ISBN: 9781666908411
Henriksen, J. (2023). Theological Anthropology in the Anthropocene : Reconsidering Human Agency and its Limits, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN: 9783031210587
Henriksen, J. (2023). Kall og bekreftelser på en "åpen" virkelighet : fra en undersøkelse om presters spesielle erfaringer, Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), s. 22 - 36. Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), ISSN: 1893-4773
Henriksen, J. (2023). EXPERIENCING THE WORLD AS THE EVOLVED IMAGE OF GOD: RELIGION IN THE CONTEXT OF SCIENCE, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, s. 485 - 503. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, ISSN: 0591-2385
Henriksen, J. (2023). Gift and stewardship: Two ambiguous concepts in the religious discourse on nature, Dialog, Dialog, ISSN: 0012-2033
Henriksen, J. (2023). Systematic Theology in the Nordic Countries after 1945, St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology (SAET), St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology (SAET)
Henriksen, J. & Repstad, P. S. (2022). God after the Church Lost Control : Sociological Analysis and Critical- Constructive Theology, Routledge, ISBN: 9781003306207
Henriksen, J. (2022). Religiøs erfaring eller erfaring ved hjelp av religion? : refleksjoner med utgangspunkt i Schleiermacher og Hegel, Teologisk tidsskrift, s. 186 - 199. Teologisk tidsskrift, ISSN: 1893-0263
Henriksen, J. (2022). Psychology in Nietzsche’s Criticism of Religion : On Splitting and Loss of Orientation, Mohr Siebeck, ISBN: 9783161617911
Henriksen, J. (2022). Climate change and the symbol deficit in the Christian tradition : expanding gendered sources, Bloomsbury T&T Clark, ISBN: 9780567704979
Henriksen, J. (2022). Practice and theologising – Considerations on the relationship between empirical studies and normativity, Practice, Practice Theory and Theology : Scandinavian and German Perspectives,, s. 95 - 109. ISBN: 9783110743791
Henriksen, J. & Mesel, T. (2021). Shame’s Unwelcome Interruption and Responsive Movements. Body, Religion, Morality – an Interdisciplinary Study, Cappelen Damm Akademisk, ISBN: 9788202715465
Dahl, E. & Henriksen, J. & Mjaaland, M. T. (2021). Introduction, Imagination in Religion: Perspectives from the Philosophy of Religion,, s. 7 - 14. ISBN: 9783643912107
Dahl, E. & Henriksen, J. & Mjaaland, M. T. (2021). Imagination in Religion: Perspectives from the Philosophy of Religion, LIT Verlag, ISBN: 9783643912107
Henriksen, J. (2021). A Religious Symbol for a Sustainable Practice? the Hope Cathedral from a Pragmatist Perspective, Eco-theology : Essays in honor of Sigurd Bergmann,, s. 217 - 231. ISBN: 9783506760364
Henriksen, J. (2021). Sjelesorgens normativitet, Tidsskrift for Sjelesorg, s. 158 - 173. Tidsskrift for Sjelesorg, ISSN: 0333-3388
Graff-Kallevåg, K. & Henriksen, J. (2021). Jesus og Kaptein Sabeltann : en analyse av hvordan det forkynnes om frelse for barn og voksne, Forkynnelse for barn og voksne : en studie av sju gudstjenester i trosopplæringen,, s. 162 - 186. ISBN: 9788282492829
Henriksen, J. (2021). Imagination, representation, and abduction : on basic features in religion, Imagination in Religion: Perspectives from the Philosophy of Religion,, s. 33 - 50. ISBN: 9783643912107
Henriksen, J. (2021). Taking Responsibility for Truth: Ecclesial Practices in an Age of Hypocrisy, Truth-telling and other ecclesial practices of resistance,, s. 11 - 19. ISBN: 9781978712096
Sandnes, K. O. & Henriksen, J. (2020). Resurrection : Texts and Interpretation, Experience and Theology, Pickwick Publications, ISBN: 9781532695872
Henriksen, J. (2020). Embodied, relational, desiring, vulnerable – Reconsidering Imago Dei, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 267 - 294. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2020). Violence, Shame, and Moral Agency – An Exploration of Krista K. Thomason’s Position, De Ethica, s. 23 - 34. De Ethica
Henriksen, J. (2020). Religions, the contemporary paradox : on understanding religions as practice and why it matters, Between Closeness and Evil. A Festschrift for Arne Johan Vetlesen,, s. 309 - 331. ISBN: 9788230402689
Henriksen, J. (2020). An animal in need of wisdom : Theological anthropology and the origins of humility and wisdom, Theology and Evolutionary Anthropology : Dialogues in Wisdom, Humility and Grace,, s. 142 - 159. ISBN: 9780367221805
Henriksen, J. (2020). Religion as the Other Source of the Modern Western World : Habermas’s Contribution to the Contemporary Role of Religion, Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, s. 114 - 125. Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, ISSN: 0809-7291
Henriksen, J. (2020). Representation and Ultimacy : Christian Religion as Unfinished Business, LIT Verlag, ISBN: 9783643911681
Henriksen, J. (2020). Religion og konflikt – må det henge sammen?, Verdier i konflikt: Etikk i et mangfoldig samfunn,, s. 57 - 71. ISBN: 9788202675295
Henriksen, J. (2020). The Reformer in the Eyes of a Critic : Nietzsche’s Perception and Presentation of Luther, The Reformation of Philosophy,, s. 119 - 129. ISBN: 9783161592188
Henriksen, J. (2019). Empirically Informed Theology : On Theology in an Interdisciplinary Context, Political Religion, Everyday Religion : Sociological Trends,, s. 119 - 125. ISBN: 9789004397965
Holm, V. & Henriksen, J. (2019). Experiences from a Ritual of Forgiveness : An Empirical Study of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Conducted in a Norwegian Prison, Studies in Spirituality, s. 187 - 211. Studies in Spirituality, ISSN: 0926-6453
Henriksen, J. (2019). Christianity as Distinct Practices : A Complicated Relationship, Bloomsbury T&T Clark, ISBN: 9780567683274
Henriksen, J. (2019). The Endangered Self as a Challenge to Religion : Considerations with Special Reference to the Symbol 'God', Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences, s. 84 - 96. Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences, ISSN: 2195-9773
Henriksen, J. (2019). Hope : a theological exploration, Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology, s. 117 - 133. Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology, ISSN: 0039-338X
Henriksen, J. (2019). Religious Plurality and Pragmatist Theology : Openness and Resistance, Brill, ISBN: 9789004412323
Henriksen, J. (2019). Neighbors, relatives, and friends: Finding constructive approaches to religious others, Dialog, s. 197 - 204. Dialog, ISSN: 0012-2033
Henriksen, J. (2019). Begjær og sårbarhet : kroppen som den inkarnerte Guds bilde, Tidsskrift for Sjelesorg, s. 320 - 334. Tidsskrift for Sjelesorg, ISSN: 0333-3388
Henriksen, J. (2018). Love as the Power with which God Shapes the World : Theological Anthropology and Human Experience, Louvain Studies, s. 269 - 285. Louvain Studies, ISSN: 0024-6964
Henriksen, J. (2018). Three perspectives on Resurrection: Revelation, Experience, Recognition, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 321 - 341. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. & Sandnes, K. O. (2018). The Vulnerable Human and the Absent God : the Stories about Gethsemane as a Possible Source for Theological Anthropology, Kerygma und Dogma, s. 163 - 177. Kerygma und Dogma, ISSN: 0023-0707
Henriksen, J. (2017). Utfordringer for teologisk arbeid med menneskerettighetene, Forsking og menneskerettar,, s. 123 - 129. ISBN: 9788270998845
Henriksen, J. (2017). Religion as Orientation and Transformation : A Maximalist Theory, Mohr Siebeck, ISBN: 9783161550980
Henriksen, J. (2017). The Economic Trinity and Creation, Reformation Theology for a Post-Secular Age. Løgstrup,Prenter, Wingren and the Future of Scandinavian Creation Theology,, s. 229 - 239. ISBN: 9783525604588
Henriksen, J. (2017). The Experience of God and the World: Christianity’s Reasons for Considering Panentheism a Viable Option, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, s. 1080 - 1097. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, ISSN: 0591-2385
Henriksen, J. (2017). Å ødelegge seg selv : om religionens og moralens mørke sider, Skapelsesnåde. Festskrift til Svein Aage Christoffersen,, s. 213 - 227. ISBN: 9788270998807
Henriksen, J. (2016). Everyday Religion as Orientation and Transformation: a Challenge to Theology, Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, s. 36 - 51. Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, ISSN: 0809-7291
Henriksen, J. (2016). Hva er lære? Et religionsteoretisk innspill til et gammelt problem med aktuell relevans, Teologisk tidsskrift, s. 358 - 376. Teologisk tidsskrift, ISSN: 1893-0263
Henriksen, J. (2016). Religion og meningen med livet, Arr - Idéhistorisk tidsskrift, s. 103 - 113. Arr - Idéhistorisk tidsskrift, ISSN: 0802-7005
Henriksen, J. (2016). Panentheism Without the Supernatural: On a Perichoretic Trinitarian Conception of Reality, Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences, s. 51 - 71. Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences, ISSN: 2195-9773
Henriksen, J. (2016). God in Martin Luther, Religion: Oxford Research Encyclopedias,, s. 1 - 22. ISBN: 9780199340378
Henriksen, J. & Sandnes, K. O. (2016). Jesus as healer : a Gospel for the body, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN: 9780802873316
Henriksen, J. (2016). Sola Scriptura—A Hermeneutical Impossibility and a Doctrinal Necessity: Twenty-One Theses, Dialog, s. 190 - 193. Dialog, ISSN: 0012-2033
Henriksen, J. (2016). God revealed through human agency – Divine agency and embodied practices of faith, hope, and love, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 453 - 472. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2016). Finitezza e antropologia teologica : un' esplorazione interdisciplinare sulle dimensioni teologiche della finitezza, Editrice Queriniana, ISBN: 9788839908797
Henriksen, J. (2016). Religion som bidrag til et verdireservoar for alle? : om religiøse tradisjoners samfunnsbidrag, Moralske borgere : refleksjoner over etikk og samfunn,, s. 49 - 67. ISBN: 9788283140705
Henriksen, J. (2016). Ekstraordinære erfaringer som utfordring for tro og teologi, Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), s. 54 - 63. Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), ISSN: 1893-4773
Henriksen, J. (2016). Mangfold og tvetydighet : aktuelle blikk på religion, Portal forlag, ISBN: 9788283140743
Henriksen, J. (2016). God, Semiosis and Experience, Talking Seriously About God : Philosophy of Religion in the Dispute between Theism and Atheism,, s. 37 - 54. ISBN: 9783643907417
Henriksen, J. (2015). The Reconstruction of Religion : Lessing, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, Wipf and Stock Publishers, ISBN: 9781498220941
Henriksen, J. (2015). Is a Finite Life Such a Bad Idea? Transhumanism and Theological Anthropology, Dialog, s. 280 - 288. Dialog, ISSN: 0012-2033
Henriksen, J. (2015). Gud i historien : Wolfhart Pannenberg (1928-2014) in memoriam, Teologisk tidsskrift, s. 86 - 99. Teologisk tidsskrift, ISSN: 1893-0263
Henriksen, J. (2015). A new basis for natural religion? Recent explanations of religion and their challenges to contemporary philosophy of religion, Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, s. 464 - 482. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, ISSN: 0028-3517
Henriksen, J. (2015). Sekularisering som folkekirkens tvetydige betingelse, Folkekirke nå,, s. 166 - 178. ISBN: 9788254313121
Henriksen, J. (2015). Religion og relasjon : teologiens bidrag til religionspsykologien, Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), s. 11 - 17. Tidsskrift for Praktisk Teologi (TPT), ISSN: 1893-4773
Henriksen, J. (2015). An Author-Character Match Made in Heaven : Ted Peters and Leona Foxx, Anticipating God’s New Creation: Essays in Honor of Ted Peters,, s. 220 - 227. ISBN: 9781942304128
Henriksen, J. (2015). "God's" presence with/in memory. Considering the contemporary relevance for reading Augustine on the Self's remembrance of self, Monument and Memory,, s. 187 - 200. ISBN: 9783643904676
Balsnes, A. H. & Henriksen, J. (2015). "Mykere" forståelse av synd? : om nye syndsbekjennelser i Den norske kirke, Gudstjeneste à la carte : liturgireformen i Den norske kirke,, s. 173 - 189. ISBN: 9788254313114
Henriksen, J. (2015). Virkelighetens perichoretiske sakramentalitet : en trinitarisk bestemt visjon av forholdet mellom Gud og verden, Trinitarisk tro og tenkning. Festskrift til Svein Rise,, s. 45 - 54. ISBN: 9788283140651

Education and practice

2021 - 2022
Member of Reseach Group on Religion and the Natural Environment, CTI Princeton

2019
Erasmus Visting Professor, University of Iceland

2017 - 2018
Gjesteforsker, St Benets Hall, Oxford University, UK

2017
Visiting Scholar, Protestant Theological University, Amsterdam

2013 - 2017
Forskningsdekan MF

2012 - 2013
Forsker ved Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey.

2009 - 2012
Leder for den tverrinsitusjonelle Forskerskolen Religion Values Society

2006 - 2007
Forsker ved Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey 2006-07.

2002 - 2020
Professor i religion med vekt på religion i det postindustrielle samfunnet ved Universitetet i Agder

2002
Dr. philos. UiO

2000
Alan Richardson Fellow, University of Durham, UK

1994 - d.d.
Professor i systematisk teologi ved Menighetsfakultetet , fra 2002 med særlig vekt på religionsfilosofi

1991 - 1994
Dosent og professor i systematisk teologi ved distriktshøyskolen i Volda

1990 - 1991
Førstelektor MF

1990
Dr. theol. UiO

1987 - 1990
NAVF-stipendiat

1984 - 1985
Sivilarbeider og konsulent i Mellomkirkelig Råd for Den norske kirke.

1984
Mag. art. i filosofi UiO

1982
Cand. theol. MF

0
Div.kortere og lengre forskningsopphold Tyskland (1985-86, 1988, 1990), Storbritannia (2000, 2015, 2017-18), USA (Princeton, 1999,2001,2003, 2005) og Nederland (2017)

Voluntary position

2014
Co-Editor, Religion, Theology and the Sciences (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht) -

2013 - 2017
Forskningsdekan, MF Vitenskapelig Høyskole

2013 - 2017
Medlem i Forskningsutvalget i UHR

2013
Co-Editor, Nordic Studies in Theologiy (LIT Verlag) -

2012 - 2020
Medlem, Bispemøtets teologiske råd

2011 - d.d.
Member, Advisory Board of Dialog - A Journal of Theology (US)

2010 - 2019
Member of the editorial board Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology

2007 - 2012
Medlem Arts and Humanities Research Council Steering Commmitte Religion and Society, UK

2006 - 2010
Medlem i Den norske kirkes lærenemnd

2005 - 2009
Editor in Chief Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology

2005 - 2007
Medlem i LWF Task force on Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality

1999 - 2003
Leder Teologisk Nemnd under Mellomkirkelig Råd

1998 - 2004
Styremedlem Institutt for sjelesorg, Modum Bad

1991 - 1998
Medlem i Komiteen for Internasjonale spørsmål under Mellomkirkelig råd