Erbauung

“I was bound by diffidence and was a bit shy by nature. You probably wouldn't have thought that of me today, but that's how I was then.” On his 50th birthday celebration in 1955, Sigurd Bratlie from Norway told about how he was as a young man. He was very timid by nature, and given the choice would always rather avoid people’s attention. His lack of boldness was a hindrance the first time one of the church leaders at the time, Elias Aslaksen, asked him to write for a Christian publication. Bratlie did not consider himself a talented writer, so he said, “No, no, I can't do that!” But Aslaksen insisted. This push from Aslaksen is what started Bratlie’s writing, and he went on to write many books and articles for the church. On Aslaksen’s death in 1976 Sigurd Bratlie became the leader of Brunstad Christian Church until his death in 1996.
Sigurd Bratlie’s writing was clear and simple. He spoke and wrote in a way that anyone could understand. Because of this, his written works have been liberating for hundreds of thousands of Christians across the world in the decades since.
Bratlie was an active missionary throughout his life, travelling from country to country. He preached God’s Word wherever he had opportunity, whether it was in a living room to a couple of people, or to thousands of people at once. Through the gospel, he received the boldness to fulfil the work God prepared for his life.