President Donald Trump has a new shiny toy alluring his attention—Greenland.
His zeal to acquire Greenland is front and center in the news because the country’s center-right Demokraatit party won a recent election. The victory removed Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede’s party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, from power. A key point from the party was independence from Denmark and celebrating President Trump’s repeated talk of the U.S. taking control.
Reuters reported, “People want change… We want more business to finance our welfare,” said Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Demokraatit’s leader. Nielsen said Greenland does not “want independence tomorrow” and would prefer separation from Denmark be based on a “good foundation.”
It’s not the first time he’s mentioned his love for the ice-covered island (the world’s largest). This time, more than just him is interested in making that acquisition happen.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and, if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump said in a recent bicameral address, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it… One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
That is a serious hankering for semi-autonomous territory currently under the purview of the Kingdom of Denmark. That description is a little ironic because Greenland has a historical connection with the Kingdom of God—and some other religions. What are they? How is God involved? And what does the president want with that place anyway?
Let’s find out.
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The Cold Open: Greenland, Trump and Religion
Astute history lovers (and all high school students) recall two fun facts about Greenland involving Viking explorer Leif Erikson.
- He is the real Christopher Columbus. An Erikson first stepped on that land in 1001 AD, almost 500 years before the Italian voyager made it
- He sailed the North Atlantic Ocean searching for a new world and found Greenland
Leif gets the credit for his father’s discovery. “Erik the Red” found the island in approximately 982 AD. He also sailed to Iceland, and when he landed on the place now called Greenland, Erik the Red named the green place “Iceland” and the icy place “Greenland.” Tourists, you know?
It’s home to the northernmost U.S. military base. The 836,000 square-mile block of ice and snow looks like Game of Thrones was filmed there. And it is only home to 60,000 people. Yet, that didn’t stop Trump from vowing that the U.S. would “take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
Knowing its spiritual roots is essential before thinking the Spirit of God directs him toward Greenland.
A simple deduction would uncover Greenland’s foundation in Norse mythology, just like a notable Asgardian. Yet, following a trip to Norway for King Olaf Tryggvason, Leif Erikson converted to Christianity. Remember, it was his father who discovered Greenland. Leif was commissioned to the island by the King of Norway to proselytize and convert settlers there.
Greenland was enriched in the Catholic faith until 1450 AD under the Diocese of Gardar. In 1517, the Protestant Reformation fanned the flames of revival across Europe. Unfortunately, it put out the fire in Greenland. The mission field of the Arctic became passe. Nearly 200 years passed before Denmark and Norway wanted to reach the Norse Greenlanders for God again.
In 1721, a Lutheran missionary, Hans Egede, evangelized the country and set a permanent home there. Today, evangelical Lutheranism is the official religion for over 65% of the country. From the greatest “sike” in world history to a country that proclaimed religious liberty in 1953, Greenland has always been a “Christian nation.”
Is that the real reason? Uh, no.
Kickin’ It in Greenland
Is the Christian heritage of Greenland why the Trump Administration wants to pitch a tent in that country? Not that he has said, but its benefit to the country he runs is a genuine reason. Although part of the Arctic Circle, the island is centrally located between the U.S. and Russia. That geography makes it an enviable location for economic purposes.
Recently, Russia has opened up new shipping routes through the Arctic. America can use those same routes for new commerce. Then, there’s defense.
Given its location, Trump has consistently touched upon Greenland for national security. “I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he said in early January. “You look at — you don’t even need binoculars — you look outside. You have Chinese ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We’re not letting that happen. We’re not letting it happen.”
Denmark controlled Greenland as a colony for over 200 years. Eventually, the Danish Kingdom granted Greenland more autonomy, allowing it to establish its local government. According to an agreement with Denmark, Greenland has the legal right to declare independence, but this can only happen if a majority of Greenlandic voters support independence in a referendum.
Whatever the case now, it seems America could be in the process of acquiring another Christian nation for its own.
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