Tilltalad (Addressed) — The Sermons of Frank Mangs (1897-1994)

by Runar Eldebo and translated by Tommy Carlson

Through a long period of this century a preacher named Frank Mangs (1897-1994) was a powerful influence both in Sweden and America. He was a Pentecostal who did not allow denominationalism to bind him. In 1994, a book of his sermons was published in Sweden. One of the persons close to Rev. Mangs was our friend Runar Eldebo of the Covenant Seminary in Sweden. Runar, who like Frank Mangs, does not allow denominational boundaries or labels to govern his openness to the work of the Spirit, has written the introduction to this book of sermons. Tommy Carlson has translated Runar’s Foreword and one of Rev. Mangs’ sermons.

Brother Rollie Paulson, a veteran of the faith, writes: “Many years ago Rev. Frank Mangs was here in the Twin Cities and was scheduled to give a radio talk over the old WDGY (I think it was) radio and the whole Covenant population was all excited about the event. It was to run for 45 minutes. Well, after 30 minutes the program was cut off and some wild music came on instead. That’s when the excitement started. The switchboard at the station was bombarded with angry Covenanters with the result that, after a profuse apology by the station authorities, Rev. Mangs was put back on the air. I am sure that there were many ‘Praise the Lords’ when the long-expected, and deeply loved visitor was again able to bring us his message. I am looking forward to his sermon [in Pietisten] and I hope there will be no interruptions this time.” — Ed.

Foreword: When Wounds Are Placed on Wounds

There is reason to meditate about Frank Mangs as this giant is introduced to new people and, I hope, to a new generation. His life spans virtually this entire century and his deeds as a preacher engaged several generations. What was it that captured people’s attention? What was it that drew people into the force field which emanated from this Finnish-Swedish speaker?

First, of course, was his way of speaking. Frank Mangs spoke to people as few other speakers and evangelists. His speech was plain. He never made the Christian faith complicated or tried to impress with clever theology. His way to the hearts and brains of people was without detours. In these sermons, his own deep reflection is shown in its simplicity. He studied and prepared his message so carefully that he dared simple and open speech.

Stories made up large portions of his oratory. In many ways, Frank Mangs was a poet He used the poet’s direct speech that penetrated people’s lives and their deepest secrets. Mangs’ proclamations created an identification and a recognition in the listener that prepared the person for faith and conversion. In the texts that follow, you will receive an invitation in the words of Mangs. He does not try to persuade you. Rather, he begs you to see if you know life as he does and if you share the longing of which his life is an expression. Frank Mangs speaks to us as individual persons, often through a story with an invitation.

On a deeper level his work stands for participation. The participation that emanated from his life has built bridges between this evangelist and thousands of people in Sweden, Scandinavia, and North America. Mangs spoke from a pulpit, but his speech came from common life experiences in which people can participate. He spoke God’s word, but he did not speak from above or from the outside. Rather, he spoke from within the common experience of being human.

The Finnish-Swedish author, Willy Kyrklund once said that the cracks in the soul are what separate an author from one who merely writes books. Mangs never avoided his own cracks. He never preached himself or his own goodness. The success of his preaching came from Jesus Christ and Him alone. Frank Mangs himself was the cracked vessel that carried this gift to people. Perhaps someday it will be evident that it was precisely the cracks that came to light in his life and proclamation that were the foremost quality that invited identity and participation in his message.

The secret in Frank Mangs’ preaching is that wounds have been laid upon wounds. In the texts that follow the wounds in his life are laid on the wounds of the reader. They are then placed together upon the wounds of Jesus Christ and healing begins. Participation in suffering carried Mangs’ message to people. The message is taken up as people recognize and participate in the healing of Christ. It is through the wounds that we are healed.

The Christianity he preached included the whole person. There was nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be hidden. The meetings Mangs presented between Jesus and people in the New Testament were always full of honesty and compassion. Sin was to be confessed rather that hidden. Weakness was the object of compassion rather than criticism. This has not always been the case in “Revival Christianity.” Mangs’ proclamation was healthy and fresh. It contained an appeal to new listeners and readers to never disguise themselves. Rather, trust that God, who has created us, understands that we are who we are now and we will always be the object of His love and compassion just as we are.

From Mangs’ theme of participation comes the credibility associated with him. He has always gone his own way and plowed his own furrow within Christendom. He did not take a biased stand in the strife between the Swedish Covenant Church and the Pentecostal Church in the 1930s. He wanted to be everywhere and be there for everyone who was yearning. In many ways, he is unlike other pioneers who started and formed his or her own new group. Mangs talked to everyone who would listen and there have always been many.

Often an evangelist is associated with the big format — one that deals with large tents or conference centers, a lot of people, enormous resources, and brilliant oratory. Mangs could feel at home in all this. But even with all his success on the big scene, this evangelist was most at home and at his best in the small format. He was the master of small connections. He thrived in one-on-one conversations in the train compartments where he felt at home. When someone wanted to talk to him after a big meeting, he really came alive. The little person in his or her small, particular situation became the principle person in his life.

Therefore, you are to be congratulated upon being invited to a meeting where wounds are laid upon wounds.