• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

The Havamal as Scripture

lovesong

:D
Premium Member
What do you think the Havamal is? Is it the direct words of Odin, words inspired him/his values, or just some good words of wisdom with no direct association to him?

Do you consider it scripture, why? Either way, what do you think it takes for something to be scripture?

What is scripture really? The words of a god? Words inspired by a god? A foundational text of a faith? A text members of the faith look to for guidance? The Havamal is certainly some of these things, maybe all of these things.

I'm not really saying we should look at it one way or the other, I'm just interested in what you all think about this.
 
Last edited:

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
What do you think the Havamal is? Is it the direct words of Odin, words inspired him/his values, or just some good words of wisdom with no direct association to him?

Do you consider it scripture, why? Either way, what do you think it takes for something to be scripture?

What is scripture really? The words of a god? Words inspired by a god? A foundational text of a faith? A text members of the faith look to for guidance? The Havamal is certainly some of these things, maybe all of these things.

I'm not really saying we should look at it one way or the other, I'm just interested in what you all think about this.
I consider the Havamal as form of Scripture. But I do not think it is the direct Words of Odin written by him, more like the divine words of his most devout followers, encompassing the Wisdom they gained from their interactions and devotion to him.

It can be used as both a (small) foundation text, as well as a place to go for guidance and wisdom. I will argue that it is rather Male oriented, as I see little "advice for women" in here. So I thinks it time for some similar Wisdom from Freya.
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
What do you think the Havamal is? Is it the direct words of Odin, words inspired him/his values, or just some good words of wisdom with no direct association to him?

Do you consider it scripture, why? Either way, what do you think it takes for something to be scripture?

What is scripture really? The words of a god? Words inspired by a god? A foundational text of a faith? A text members of the faith look to for guidance? The Havamal is certainly some of these things, maybe all of these things.

I'm not really saying we should look at it one way or the other, I'm just interested in what you all think about this.

Personally, the Havamal is a part of the collection of myths created to teach important social norms handed down from poet to poet in song or prose. As a oral tradition it was never the exact words but the meaning behind them that was important. So, no I do not think they were the direct words of Odin. The symbolism of Odin inspired the words and the wisdom so there is a connection.

I do not believe any of the poetic edda/prose edda were meant as scripture. Many of the myths were clearly not to be taken too seriously such has Thor dressing up as a woman to reclaim his hammer. That does not mean there are not valuable teaching's in these myths but I will never see them in the dogmatic approach of so many that follow the bible.

But of course I have never actually met Odin to ask, or at least I do not think I have, or I did not recognize Odin if I did. There was one time in the mountains when there were two ravens staring at me.
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
I consider the Havamal as form of Scripture. But I do not think it is the direct Words of Odin written by him, more like the divine words of his most devout followers, encompassing the Wisdom they gained from their interactions and devotion to him.

It can be used as both a (small) foundation text, as well as a place to go for guidance and wisdom. I will argue that it is rather Male oriented, as I see little "advice for women" in here. So I thinks it time for some similar Wisdom from Freya.

I agree it would have been nice to hear more from Freya. Well what could we expect from Christian writers recording Norse myths with their male dominant attitude. Of course Freya can inspire us as well as Odin with our without words written on paper.
 
Top