| Rudolf Bultmann |
Article Index for Rudolf |
Website Links For Rudolf |
Information AboutRudolf Bultmann |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT RUDOLF BULTMANN | |
| biblical scholars | |
| bultmann, rudolf | |
| german lutheran theologians | |
| 1884 births | |
| 1976 deaths | |
|
Bultmann was born in Wiefelstede , the son of a Lutheran minister. He got an Abitur from the Altes Gymnasium in Oldenburg . He studied Theology at Tübingen . After two terms, Bultmann went to the University Of Berlin for several terms, and finally at Marburg . He received his degree in 1910 from Marburg with a dissertation on the Epistles Of St Paul . After submitting a Habilitation two years later, he became a lecturer on the New Testament at Marburg. After brief lectureships at Breslau and Giessen , he returned to Marburg in 1921 as a full professor. He stayed there until his retirement in 1951 . His ''History of the Synoptic Tradition'' (1921) is still highly regarded as an essential tool for gospel research, even by scholars who reject his analyses of the conventional rhetorical Tropes or narrative units of which the Gospels are assembled, and the historically-oriented principles called " Form Criticism ," of which Bultmann has been the most influential exponent: :"The aim of form-criticism is to determine the original form of a piece of narrative, a dominical saying or a parable. In the process we learn to distinguish secondary additions and forms, and these in turn lead to important results for the history of the tradition." In 1941, he applied form criticism to the '', an endeavor to make accessible to a literate modern audience the reality of Jesus' teachings. Bultmann remained convinced the narratives of the life of Jesus were offering theology in story form. Lessons were taught in the familiar language of myth. They were not to be excluded, but given explanation so they could be understood for today. Bultmann thought faith should become a present day reality. To Bultmann, the people of the world appeared to be always in disappointment and turmoil. Faith must be a determined vital act of will, not a culling and extolling of "ancient proofs". Some scholars criticized Bultmann and other critics for excessive skepticism regarding the historical reliability of the gospel narratives. The full impact of Bultmann was not felt until the English publication of ''Kerygma and Mythos'' (1948). Ernst Käsemann , Günther Bornkamm , Hannah Arendt and Helmut Koester were among his students. He was member of the Confessing Church and critical towards National Socialism . He spoke out against the mistreatment of Jews, against nationalism excesses and against the dismissal of non-Aryan Christian ministers. SELECTED WORKS
NOTES AND REFERENCES
EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|