Bultmann Unlocked

Tim Labron is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Concordia University College of Alberta, Canada.

Only a few years ago taking a degree in Christian origins or Protestant Christian theology would have included at least some acquaintance with Rudolf Bultmann. But Bultmann's writings, like Eliade's in the field of comparative religion, are now more often criticized or simply ignored. Dr. Labron, while not overlooking the problems with Bultmann's work, insists here on its perennial value for scholars in general and Christians in particular. He considers Bultmann's key point to be succinctly expressed in his exegesis of John 1:14a, underlining the divine as the counter-pole to the human, and the incarnation as a deep paradox. Labron emphasizes Bultmann's radical, independent thought, while also lingering on its deep points of similarity with Ludwig Wittgenstein. Bultmann's critique of objective historical research-stated more generally and in Christian terms: the human proclivity to justify oneself-encourages Labron to challenge some of the current assumptions in the academic study of religion by honouring the role of religious observers. Indeed, throughout this book Labron seeks to unlock the potential he sees in Bultmann to generate fresh thought and sound Christian theology. This book is a superb testimony to the creative energies of both these German and Canadian scholars.

• PART I INTRODUCTION1.Short Biography and Reception of BultmannPART II BULTMANN AND THE LOCK2. Paradigm and Paradox: John 1:143. Flesh or Glory?4. Historie or GeschichtePART III BULTMANN'S KEYS RENEWED5. Demythologizing and Justification by Faith6. From Cartesian to Anti-Cartesian Thought 7. A Post-Structural Context8. Wittgensteinian ParallelsPART IV BULTMANN UNLOCKED9. Dissolving Locks and Philosophy10. Implications for Theology and Religious Studies