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Document Details : Title: Mythologie und Geschichte Subtitle: Rudolf Bultmanns Sicht der urchristlichen Geschichtsauffassung im Horizont von Beobachtungen zu Paulus und Lukas Author(s): SCHRÖTER, Jens Journal: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses Volume: 91 Issue: 3 Date: 2015 Pages: 481-497 DOI: 10.2143/ETL.91.3.3105916 Abstract : In multiple publications Rudolf Bultmann developed a specific perspective on history. According to Bultmann, history is not an accumulation of data and events of the past, but rather an encounter of past and present in which the human being is always involved. Only in this way can an appropriate theological understanding of history be achieved. In his Gifford Lectures from 1955 (published in 1957 as History and Eschatology) Bultmann engages himself in the 20th century discussion on hermeneutics of history (e.g. Collingwood). This approach should be extended, however, by considering first the 19th-century debate about the principles of history (e.g. Humboldt and Droysen), and second recent approaches to hermeneutics of history (e.g. Ankersmit and Ricœur). Bultmann’s reliance on existentialistic philosophy results in a narrow perspective on history. This weakness of Bultmann’s approach is demonstrated in the present article by a critique of his interpretation of Paul and Luke. In short, Bultmann favours Paul’s approach that apparently 'dissolved' history into eschatology, and criticises Luke for his transformation of an eschatological understanding of human existence into a history of the Christian faith. The article suggests that both Paul and Luke in their own ways rely on the history of Israel, put to fruitful use from a Christian perspective. In their respective ways Paul and Luke equally adhere to the eschatological salvation of Israel. |
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