Rudolf Karl Bultmann was born on 20 August 1884 in Wiefelstede, Germany. A prominent figure in twentieth-century biblical studies, he criticised liberal theology and argued for an existentialist interpretation of the New Testament. After completing his dissertation at the University of Marburg, he became Lecturer in New Testament. He moved on to brief lectureships at Breslau and Giessen, returning to Marburg in 1921 as Professor of Theology, retiring in 1951. He joined the Confessing Church, a Protestant movement that resisted Nazi church policy.
Bultmann’s essay, ‘New Testament and Mythology’ (1941), set forth his plan for demythologising the New Testament, arguing that the biblical message is mediated through a mythological framework alien to the worldview of modern humanity. An outstanding teacher, he encouraged independence of mind. Notable works include Geschichte der synoptischen Tradition (1921), Jesus (1926), Jesus and the Word (1934), ‘Der Begriff der Offenbarung im Neuen Testament’ (‘The Concept of Revelation in the New Testament’) (1929), ‘Die Geschichtlichkeit des Daseins und der Glaube’ (‘The Historicity of Man and Faith’) (1930), and Kerygma und Mythos (1953).
