Rudolf bultmann new testament and mythology

A fascinating topic!

Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976) was a German Lutheran theologian and biblical scholar who had a significant impact on the study of the New Testament. His work on the relationship between the New Testament and mythology is particularly noteworthy.

Bultmann's central argument was that the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are not historical facts, but rather mythological stories that convey theological truths. He believed that the New Testament writers, particularly the authors of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), used mythological language and motifs to express their understanding of Jesus' significance and the Christian message.

Bultmann's views on this topic were influenced by the philosophical and literary theories of his time, particularly the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and the German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Heidegger's concept of "Being" (Sein) and the idea that human existence is characterized by "Being-in-the-world" (In-der-Welt-Sein) influenced Bultmann's understanding of the New Testament as a reflection of human existence and the human condition.

Bultmann's key arguments can be summarized as follows:

1. Mythological language: Bultmann believed that the New Testament writers used mythological language to convey theological truths, rather than to describe historical events. He argued that the use of mythological language was a common feature of ancient Mediterranean literature and that it was not unique to the New Testament.
2. Kerygma: Bultmann introduced the concept of "kerygma" (preaching) to describe the early Christian message. He believed that the kerygma was a mythological narrative that conveyed the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, rather than a historical account of his life.
3. Demythologization: Bultmann's approach to the New Testament was characterized by a process of "demythologization," which involved stripping away the mythological language and motifs to reveal the underlying theological truths. He believed that this process was necessary to understand the New Testament in its historical context and to make it relevant to modern readers.
4. Theological significance: Bultmann believed that the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were not primarily historical events, but rather theological statements about the significance of Jesus' existence and the Christian message.

Some of the key implications of Bultmann's views on the New Testament and mythology include:

1. Historical criticism: Bultmann's approach to the New Testament emphasized the importance of historical criticism, which involves analyzing the text's historical context, literary structure, and theological themes.
2. Theological interpretation: Bultmann's focus on the theological significance of the New Testament led him to emphasize the importance of theological interpretation, which involves understanding the text's theological themes and motifs.
3. Relevance to modern readers: Bultmann's demythologization approach aimed to make the New Testament relevant to modern readers by stripping away the mythological language and motifs that may have been unfamiliar to contemporary audiences.

While Bultmann's views on the New Testament and mythology have been influential, they have also been subject to criticism and debate. Some scholars have argued that his approach was too radical, as it may have downplayed the historical significance of the New Testament accounts. Others have criticized his demythologization approach, arguing that it may have lost sight of the text's literary and cultural context.

Overall, Bultmann's work on the New Testament and mythology has had a lasting impact on biblical scholarship, and his ideas continue to influence theological and literary debates to this day.