Final answer:
The writer of Beowulf is believed to have been Christian due to the Christian elements within the text, despite the story's pagan setting. This reflects the historical context wherein Christian scribes often documented oral narratives from a mixed religious perspective, during times of religious transition from paganism to Christianity in Germanic societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authorship of Beowulf is unknown, and the poem is anonymous. It is believed to have been composed by a Christian, due to the Christian elements and moral overtones present in the text. While the story itself is set in a pagan context, reflective of the pre-Christian Germanic roots of its characters, the poem was likely written down by a Christian monk or scribe. This is evident from the numerous allusions to both Christian theology and the Old Testament, signaling a Christian background. The mix of Christian and pagan elements suggests that the writer was living in a time of religious transition.
When we speak of the religious beliefs of societies from which this Old English epic poem originates, such as the Norse religion of the Scandinavians, the Ancient Roman religion of the Romans, and the Germanic paganism of pre-Christian Germanic peoples, we encounter a polytheistic worldview. Despite this, by the time Beowulf was transcribed, Christians, who hoped to preach and convert others to their faith, had made significant inroads into these societies. This proselytizing approach differentiates Christianity from the pagan religions of the era, which typically did not actively seek converts.