Bultmannowski postulat demitologizacji i egzystencjalnej interpretacji Ewangelii w ujęciu współczesnej literatury teologicznej w Polsce

Abstract

The author of this article has tried to present R. Bultmann’s postulate of demytholigization and existential interpretation of the Gospel on the basis of Polish theological literature. Bultmann’s postulate arose from modern man’s sense of farness from the world and thought of the authors of the New Testament. The Bible’s cosmological under standing and vision of the world (Weltanschaung) for technically and socientifically thanking modern man inexorably appears as something mythical. Moreover, the essential content of the Gospel – the act of salvation – is presented mythically. According to Bultmann demytholigization makes the understanding of the Gospel in the 20th century possible... and believable. Having this in mind, the author of this article has presented the specific concept of myth accepted and applied by Bultmann in his theology and exegesis. The author established the function and the purpose of Bultmann’s demytholigization and existential interpretation. Demytholigization functions as a sort of factor of resolution; it is directed towards the freeing and seperation of the myth’s interior motivation from the anthropomorphisms in which it was couched. After the separation of resolution of the myth’s essential motivation from anthropomorphisms is accomplished, the essential content and motivation of the Gospel is to undergo existential interpretation. Here, the author demonstrates the purpose of the entire process of demytholigization and existential interpretation; the existential interpretation of the essential content and motivation of the Gospel in the light of the contemporary problems of modern man makes the prea ching of the Gospel in the 20th century possible. After presenting the function and the purpose of Bultmann’s process of demytholigization and existehtial interpretation the author critically examines it’s a priori premisses which lead Bultmann into the labirinth of historical agnosticism. In fine, the author placed emphasis on the fact that whatever cri ticism he has initiated, R. Bultmann occupies an undoubted place in the history of theology and biblical studies. His enormous know ledge and theological perception were animated by a spirit of apo stolic involvement and a care for making faith possible in the modern world. R. Bultmann’s theological product is an example of the elasticity of Christianity adapting itself to a world of technology and scientism... in a word, an example of the art of reading the signs of the times. The most unfortunate flaw in Bultmann s theology was his lack of interest for history. Having experienced the various „schools” oi Protestant thought through the centuries and their waste products: scepticism, agnosticism, atheism and the „death” of God, it behooves us to make use of Bultmann’s undoubted accomplishments so that they might serve the original motivation which inspired them; the rebirth of Christian faith in the 20th century.