The Core of Learning presents the philosophical framework of N.F.S. Grundtvig’s educational, poetic, theological, and political writings. In each of these fields he made a major contribution to the formation of modern Denmark. He situates humanity in the wider background of creation and nature, and in his alternative programme of enlightenment he focuses on the core and advance of Learning in the history of human civilization, and the role of emotions for all philosophical reflection. As part of its agenda to digitalise and translate Grundtvig’s vast output, the Grundtvig Study Centre at Aarhus University is pleased to publish this fifth volume in the series, ‘N.F.S. Grundtvig: Works in English’. Volume 1, The School for Life (2011), contains Grundtvig’s major writings on education, while Volume 2, Living Wellsprings (2015) contains a selection of his hymns, songs, and poems. Volume 3, Human Comes First (2018) contains articles and sermons relating to Grundtvig’s Christian theology, and Volume 4, The Common Good (2019) deals with his historical and political ideas. Recordings by the editor of all the introductions and texts are available free online at href=www.unipress.dk>www.unipress.dk

Of the five books in the series N.F.S. Grundtvig. Works in English, this fourth volume on Grundtvig as a politician and contemporary historian is perhaps the most surprising. He is best known globally as the founding father of the 'People's High School', with his emphasis on lifelong learning and the living word in interactive conversation. In Denmark his next greatest achievement is his hymn-writing and song-writing. Few think of Grundtvig as a politician. In public discourse he is linked to Nordic mythology and church matters, rather than to parliamentary democracy or contemporary history. However, Grundtvig was a historian and a politician. His historical interests were the driving force of his entry into public politics, as is demonstrated by the texts in this volume.

Contents: 1. The Christian Church and the People's Culture (1825-56) 12 essays and articles, including Grundtvig's reflections on his trial for libel and his promotion of freedom in the Church. 2.Basic Christian Teachings (1855-61) 15 commentaries on the Christian faith, including one on The Lord's Prayer and another on Faith, Hope, and Love. 3.Sermons for the Church Year (1837-55) 14 sermons, including the 3 Christian Festivals, the last 3 sermons before his death, and a sermon praising Mary and Joseph for dragging the 12-year-old Jesus home from the Temple, where the rabbis would have fed him with learning but not life. 4.Letters and Speeches (1822-63) including seven letters, two of which are from England, where Grundtvig fumes over being locked out of morning worship at St. Paul's Cathedral by a policeman for coming late to the service! Also included are his two eulogies to his late wives.