Doctor of Theology Hans Sundberg

Hans Sundberg became a Christian during his confirmation studies in Munkfors at the age of 14. His calling to preach the gospel of Jesus developed early, and by the age of 16, he gave his first sermon. The three years spent at Fjellstedtska School in Uppsala was a defining moment in his life’s work. There was still a classical education ideal with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew alongside a theological foundation in the weekly schedule. Additionally, the school became a place of revival where the Holy Spirit made His presence known through baptisms in the Spirit and conversions among many students. Hans was one of those who experienced a radical encounter with the Spirit. At this time, the Jesus movement in Uppsala began to meet outside of church life in Mikaelskyrkan under the leadership of Pastor Figge Sidwall and in the Pentecostal church in Uppsala. The Jesus movement was invited to participate in various Christian contexts, which sparked a view of the Church as the body of Christ, regardless of denominational boundaries.

Hans has served Baptist churches in Kopparberg and Storå, Elim Church Östermalm, Trollhättan, and the Church at Brommaplan. In the early 1990s, Hans and his wife Lotta started Stockholm Vineyard. In 1998, they were appointed as National Directors of Vineyard Nordic. In 2009, they founded the Mosaic church.

Hans’ doctoral thesis, “Sven Lidman om Gud och Människa, 1987: A Content Analysis Study,” within the field of Religious and Life-Philosophy/ Systematic Theology, focuses on Lidman’s extensive authorship, particularly addressing questions about how he describes his view of God and his view of humanity. Lidman knew that God revealed Himself in Jesus for salvation. His view of humanity is deeply pessimistic, clearly influenced by Augustine’s perspective. Lidman himself translated Augustine’s Confessions into Swedish, with a brilliant introduction by him, which undoubtedly influenced his view. The dramatic development of Lidman’s life is also noted. On March 17, 1917, he met God, and everything changed.

Some of Hans’s focus areas include mission, evangelism, and church planting. He has taught in Nepal, India, Siberia, Russia, Ukraine, and the Nordic countries. As National Director of Vineyard Nordic, he served as a pastor to pastors. New churches need a passionate interest in biblical theology and faithfulness to the rule, “We believe what all have always believed.” Hans has sought to lay the foundation for Bible faith and an expectation of the work of the Holy Spirit wherever he has served.

Hans lives in Uppsala with his wife, Lotta. They have two children, Sofia and Martin, who live in Uppsala and Nyvång (outside Helsingborg), respectively, with their families. They have five grandchildren: Lilja and Eva-Frid in Uppsala, Josua, Levi, and Ruth-Miranda in Nyvång.

Hans has taught at:

• Betelseminariet 1977-1993 in various biblical subjects, religious history, philosophy of religion, and later, specifically as the responsible teacher for systematic theology (dogmatics).
• Levande Stenar 1991-1998, a three-month discipleship school at Stockholm Vineyard (responsible pastor).
• Vineyard Theological School 1996-2003, a two-year theology program (responsible pastor).
• Scandinavian School of Theology  (SST) 2016–, systematic theology.
• Pastoralleadershiptraining.org (PLT), founded and led by Hans in 2012, provides a foundational Bible school for new Christian pastors and elders who have planted churches in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

Studies:

• Betelseminariet 1975-77 – Hans was ordained as a pastor in the Swedish Baptist Union.
• Theological Faculty, Uppsala University, Bachelor of Theology 1978.
• Theological Faculty, Uppsala University, Doctor of Theology 1987.
• Stockholm University, Nordic Languages 2002.
• Johannelund Theological Seminary, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Religious Encounters 2016.

Articles:

• Vineyard in Sweden – article series in Världen Idag 2020
• “Come Holy Spirit – On Christian Ethics” published in 1 & 2 Thessalonians, a commentary by Håkan Sunnliden, 2021
• “The Teachings of Knutby – A Study of the Preaching from 2001-2006,” pages 115-158, co-authored with Pontus Tunhav, published in Enthusiastic Christianity & Fanaticism in Knutby – Reflections and Lessons from a Research Project, 2021
• “The Belief that the Entire Bible is the Word of God: Examples from the Early Baptists and Anders Wiberg, Lewi Pethrus, and Sven Lidman” pages 94-134, published in Bible Faith: Nine Theologians on Biblical Views and Bible Use – Editors Anders Gerdmar, Torbjörn Aronson, and Pavel Hoffman, 2022.
• “Doulos – Slave, Servant, or Bondservant – Regarding Two Bible Verses in Philippians and the Slave Onesimus in the Letter to Philemon” pages 127-144, published in Philippians and the Letter to Philemon, a Commentary by Håkan Sunnliden, 2022.

Doctor of Theology Hans Sundberg

Part-time Teacher in: Systematic Theology

Degrees and Qualifications:

• Doctor of Theology in Systematic Theology, Uppsala University
• Bachelor of Theology, Uppsala University

Publications:

• Vineyard i Sverige – article series 2020 in Världen Idag
• “Kom Helig Ande – om kristen etik” (Come Holy Spirit – On Christian Ethics), published in 1 & 2 Thessalonians, a commentary by Håkan Sunnliden, 2021
• “Lärorna i Knutby – en studie av förkunnelsen åren 2001-2006” (The Teachings of Knutby – A Study of the Preaching from 2001-2006), pages 115-158, co-authored with Pontus Tunhav. Published in Enthusiastic Christianity & Fanaticism in Knutby – Reflections and Lessons from a Research Project, 2021
• Bibeltro. Nio teologer om bibelsyn och bibelbruk (Bible Faith. Nine Theologians on Biblical Views and Bible Use) [Anthology]. STH Academic, 2022
• “Doulos – slav, tjänare eller träl – Med anledning av två bibelord i Filipperbrevet samt Filemons slav Onesimus” (Doulos – Slave, Servant, or Bondservant – Regarding Two Bible Verses in Philippians and the Slave Onesimus in the Letter to Philemon), pages 127-144. Published in Philippians and the Letter to Philemon, a Commentary by Håkan Sunnliden, 2022

Contact:
hans.sundberg@teol.se