New Testament and Mythology - Classic Text | Alexandria
New Testament and Mythology: The Bultmann Thesis
"New Testament and Mythology" (German: "Neues Testament und Mythologie"), published in 1941 by Rudolf Bultmann, represents a watershed moment in 20th-century biblical interpretation. This groundbreaking essay, which would later expand into a broader program of demythologization, challenged traditional Christian biblical interpretation by proposing a radical reexamination of New Testament mythology through the lens of modern existentialist philosophy.
Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976), writing amid the intellectual turbulence of World War II Germany, presented this work initially as a lecture at the Society for Protestant Theology. The historical context proved significant, as European Christianity grappled with modernization and the challenges posed by scientific worldviews to traditional biblical interpretation. Bultmann's thesis emerged from the broader German theological tradition, particularly influenced by the dialectical theology movement and his engagement with Martin Heidegger's existential philosophy.
The core argument of "New Testament and Mythology" posits that the New Testament's mythological framework - including concepts like the three-tiered universe, supernatural intervention, and miraculous events - must be reinterpreted (demythologized) to reveal its existential meaning for modern audiences. Bultmann argued that these mythological elements were not essential to Christian faith but rather represented the cultural vocabulary of the ancient world. This revolutionary approach sparked intense debate within theological circles, with critics arguing it stripped Christianity of its supernatural elements while supporters praised its attempt to make Christian message relevant to modern consciousness.
Bultmann's legacy continues to influence biblical scholarship and theological discourse. His demythologization program has inspired numerous subsequent approaches to biblical interpretation, from narrative criticism to post-modern readings. Contemporary scholars still grapple with his central question: how to interpret ancient religious texts meaningfully in a modern scientific age. The work's enduring relevance lies in its bold attempt to bridge the gap between ancient religious expression and modern understanding, challenging readers to consider how religious truth can be conveyed across vastly different worldviews and cultural frameworks. Does Bultmann's radical reinterpretation offer a viable path forward for religious thought in an increasingly secular age, or does it fundamentally alter the nature of religious faith itself?