King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson was a Viking-born ruler who reigned over Denmark from approximately 958 to 985 AD. Unlike many of his Norse predecessors, Harald embraced Christianity, turning away from the traditional pagan beliefs of his people. His conversion marked a significant cultural shift in Denmark, earning him a place in history as the king who brought Christianity to the Danes.
Harald's peculiar nickname, "Blåtand" (Danish for "Bluetooth"), is believed to have originated from a single dead tooth that had turned dark blue. Though the exact origin of the name is debated, this moniker would inspire a revolutionary technological innovation centuries later.
Harald’s rule ended in 986 AD (some sources suggest 985) when his son, Sweyn Forkbeard, led a rebellion against him. Unlike his father, Sweyn was a staunch follower of the old Norse gods and sought to reclaim Denmark for the pagan faith. The uprising resulted in Harald’s death, and Sweyn went on to persecute Christians as he consolidated his power.
The Jelling Stone: A Legacy in Stone
Much of what we know about Harald Bluetooth comes from a monumental runestone known as the Jelling Stone, which he commissioned around 965 AD. This intricately carved stone is a tribute to his parents, King Gorm the Old and Queen Thyra, and a testament to his achievements. The inscription, translated from runic Danish, proclaims:
"King Harald ordered these kumbls [stone monuments] made in memory of Gorm, his father, and in memory of Thyra, his mother; that Harald who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian."
A few centuries later, artistic depictions illustrate Harald being baptized by a priest, further solidifying his reputation as the king who Christianized Denmark and unified its people under one faith.
From Viking King to Tech Pioneer
Over a thousand years after Harald’s reign, his legacy took an unexpected turn. In 1996, Jim Kardach, an engineer working on short-range radio communications, was searching for a name for a new technology designed to unify various electronic devices. Inspired by Harald Bluetooth’s role in uniting Denmark under Christianity, he suggested "Bluetooth" as a temporary codename for the project.
As the Bluetooth company later recounted:
"In 1996, three industry leaders—Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia—met to standardize a short-range wireless technology to enable connectivity between different products and industries. During this meeting, Jim Kardach from Intel suggested 'Bluetooth' as a temporary code name."
Kardach later explained his reasoning:
"King Harald Bluetooth was famous for uniting Scandinavia, just as we intended to unite the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link."
The Heart of Christianity: Unity in Christ
When Harald Bluetooth introduced Christianity to Denmark, he wasn’t debating minor doctrinal points. He wasn’t concerned with whether his people observed a specific style of worship, the details of theological disputes, or the nuances of biblical interpretation. Instead, he focused on the core truth of the gospel: Jesus Christ is Lord. This foundational belief united his people under one faith.
This is precisely what the Apostle Paul urged Christians to do: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). He reminded believers that "There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all"(Ephesians 4:4-6).
Christianity was never meant to be a battleground for theological disputes over non-essential issues. Yet, over the centuries, many have allowed disagreements over denominational traditions, worship styles, or secondary doctrines to cause division rather than recognizing the greater mission of Christ’s kingdom.
What We Can Learn from Harald Bluetooth
Harald Bluetooth’s legacy reminds us that unity has the power to transform. His vision for Denmark was not about agreeing on every single point but bringing people together under a shared faith. Likewise, Jim Kardach, the engineer who named Bluetooth technology, saw Harald as a symbol of uniting separate systems into one seamless connection.
As Christians, we should ask ourselves: are we working toward unity in Christ or allowing secondary disagreements to divide us?
Of course, doctrine matters. However, there is a difference between holding firm to the essentials of the faith and allowing non-essentials to become barriers between believers. We can disagree on modes of baptism, end-times interpretations, worship styles, or church governance. Still, we must not let these differences hinder the greater mission of spreading the gospel and loving one another as Christ commanded.
In a time when the world is more divided than ever—politically, socially, and even spiritually—Christians have a responsibility to model a different way. Instead of focusing on what separates us, we should center our faith on what unites us: Jesus Christ.
Harald Bluetooth sought to unify Denmark under Christianity. Jim Kardach sought to unify communication technology. As believers, we are called to unify people under the love and truth of Christ. Let’s not allow secondary issues to divide. Instead, let’s embrace the words of Paul:
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)
Ultimately, the world won’t be drawn to Christianity because of our theological debates but because of our love for one another. Let’s live in such a way that our unity—not our divisions—becomes our greatest testimony.
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