Abstract:
Focusing on Ebeling’s own account of his ‘theological path’, autobiographical notes in his
publications and a gold mine of information in the biography of Albrecht Beutel on Ebeling
published in 2012 the article describes important events with theological significance in life
of Gerhard Ebeling. Ebeling is often portrayed in theological literature as a representative
of the so-called New Hermeneutic. For many people the name Ebeling is synonymous with
hermeneutics, as if his only contribution to theology was the development of ‘a new
hermeneutical theory’. This is a misconception. The article introduces the reader to another
and more important point of view to value the life and work of Ebeling – his interest in the
Reformer Martin Luther, that not only had profound influence on Ebeling’s own theological
thinking, but also resulted in many ground breakingpublications on Luther. The article
celebrates Ebeling as one of the most important Luther scholars of all times.
Description:
Dr Gafie van Wyk is
participating in the research
project, ‘Ecumenical creeds
and Confessions’, directed by
Dr Wim Dreyer, Department
of Church History and Church
Polity, Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.
