Bultmann, Rudolf (1884-1976)

German Protestant theologian. He was the twentieth century’s most influential interpreter of the gospel narratives of the New Testament. Based at Marburg in Germany for much of his academic career, Bultmann is associated with the term ‘demythologisation’. That is, Bultmann recognised that the Bible was written in the context of a supernatural world which no longer makes any sense to us today.

The New Testament contains important teaching, about the human situation, which is know as the Kerygma, the message. Yet this is written mythological language which needs to be properly interpreted. He expressed the importance of the existential encounter with God, rather than mere historical knowledge. What matters for Bultmann, is the response to the message in faith, he rejected the dependence of human beings on historical knowledge, emphasising the faith response. 

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Theology

Contributed by: Richard P Whaite