Biography
Full Name: Rev. Lars Peter Larsen
Birth: November 8, 1862
Death: June 23, 1940
Native Place: Barse
Country: Denmark
Place of Vision: India
Early Life and Education
Lars Peter Larsen was born on November 8, 1862, in Barse, Denmark. From his early years, he showed a deep love for knowledge and faith. He was known for his disciplined mind, humble heart, and desire to study the Scriptures.
As he grew up, his interest in theology and languages deepened. He later joined the Danish Mission Society, preparing himself for missionary service. His heart was moved by the need to share God’s Word with the people of India.
Missionary Work in India
In 1889, Rev. Larsen came to India under the Danish Mission Society. He served faithfully for over 40 years, becoming one of the most respected missionaries of his time.
Larsen was not only a missionary but also a scholar, theologian, linguist, and teacher. He was known for his balanced character — an intellectual thinker, a pietist devoted to holy living, a liberal evangelical open to learning, and a faithful Lutheran Christian.
He mastered several Indian languages and became a Tamil pundit (scholar of Tamil language). His linguistic talent made him an important figure in Bible translation and theological education.
Service in Education
Rev. Larsen served as the Principal of the United Theological College in Bangalore, one of India’s most prestigious seminaries. There, he taught Old Testament Studies and Comparative Religion.
He encouraged his students not to learn theology mechanically, but to study it with understanding and devotion. He believed that the purpose of learning Scripture was not just knowledge, but transformation of the heart.
Tamil Bible Translation Work
One of Larsen’s greatest contributions was his involvement in the translation of the Tamil Bible.
After discovering many errors in the Bower Version of the Tamil Bible, a team was formed to correct and simplify the translation. Rev. Larsen led this team and worked diligently to make the Tamil Bible clear, accurate, and faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek texts.
His translation was published in 1928. Although it was not universally accepted at the time, his insightful corrections and deep understanding of Scripture had a lasting influence.
Later, the Bible Society decided to produce another Tamil Bible translation that combined the simplicity and clarity of Larsen’s work with the style of the older Bower Version. Rev. Larsen also participated in this final translation project, which was completed in 1949, after his death.
Character and Legacy
Rev. Lars Peter Larsen was a man of great knowledge and deep humility. Despite being a scholar and intellectual, he lived a simple and prayerful life, walking humbly before God and man.
His life’s mission was to make the Word of God understandable to the people of India. Through his work, countless Tamil-speaking believers could read and understand the Bible more clearly.
Larsen’s passion for truth, his love for India, and his dedication to God’s Word remain an inspiration for missionaries, translators, and theologians even today.
🕊️ “The Bible became living and clear to many hearts because of one man’s faith and labor.”
Rev. Lars Peter Larsen’s life reminds us that true greatness lies not in fame, but in faithful service to God and His Word.