Rudolf Bultmann se verstaan van vryheid

Abstract

This article is a reworked version of a paper delivered at a symposium on the life and work of Rudolf Bultmann who was born on the 20th August 1884. The article deals with Bultmann’s understanding of Christian freedom. Three articles of Bultmann on freedom are presented and evaluated: (1) Grace and freedom – 1948; (2) The importance of freedom for European culture – 1952; (3) The idea of freedom in antiquity and Christianity – 1959. The relevancy of Bultmann’s theology is explained to present-day Afrikaans speaking people. Bultmann’s theology is not only presented as relevant, but also as an important guideline for Reformational thinking. Bultmann is presented as a credible Lutheran theologian. His explanation of the doctrine of justification remains helpful in a context of constant self-justification. Some critical remarks are made from a Reformed perspective.