Etisering - Personalisering - Eksistensialisering Van Die Geloofsbegrip
ENGLISH : This historic-systematic investigation by means of a literature study, focuses on the theological propositions in the thought of Rudolf Karl Bultmann (1884-1976) with regard to his understanding of faith and, connected with this, his concept of science. The investigation is on the one hand firmly embedded into the historic-theological tradition which precedes and inspires the thought of Bultmann. Representive of this tradition are Albrecht Ritschl (1822-89) and Wilhelm Herrmann (1846-1922) who respectively ethisized (Ritschl) and personalisized (Herrmann) the concept of faith with regard to the meaning of the work and person of Jesus of Nazareth for the present act of faith, in the light of the intensifying dangers of the upcoming natural sciences. This investigation is on the other hand embedded in the realm of existensialist thought especially of Kierkegaard (1813-53) and Nietzsche (1844-1900). These two currents of thought are creatively interconnected in the theological programme of Bultmann in which theology becomes the existential interpretation of the message of the new testament. This investigation of the historical context of his thought and the rereading of his theological propositions, has been necessitated by theological suspicion, misunderstanding and unjust criticism. Over against this criticism, this thesis asserts the continuing theological significance and contribution of the work of Bultmann.