Exam Help on Bultmann and Wright

Demythologisation definition

Reinterpreting biblical myths to uncover existential truths relevant to modern believers.

Heidegger influence on Bultmann

Bultmann used Heidegger's existentialism to explain faith as a personal response to God.

Authentic existence

Living responsibly and responding to God's call.

Inauthentic existence

Living according to society without personal commitment.

Kerygma definition

The core proclamation of the Gospel message.

Why kerygma matters to Bultmann

The message is more important than the historical details.

Three-storey universe

Ancient worldview of heaven above, earth in the middle and hell below.

Critical realism definition

Reality exists independently, but is known through interpretation.

Why Wright uses critical realism

It allows historians to study Jesus while recognising interpretation.

Historical Jesus

Jesus should be studied within his first-century Jewish context.

Historical resurrection

Wright argues Jesus physically rose from the dead.

Importance of the resurrection for Wright

Without the resurrection Christianity loses its foundation.

Wright against Bultmann

Bultmann removes too much historical content from Christianity.

Bultmann's aim

To make Christianity meaningful in the modern world.

Wright's aim

To show Christianity is rooted in genuine historical events.

AO2 point supporting Bultmann 1

Modern science makes literal belief in myths difficult.

AO2 point supporting Bultmann 2

Religious truth does not depend entirely on historical facts.

AO2 point against Bultmann 1

Christianity becomes overly symbolic.

AO2 point against Bultmann 2

The New Testament writers intended many events to be historical.

AO2 point supporting Wright 1

Christianity makes historical claims that must be taken seriously.

AO2 point supporting Wright 2

The disciples' transformation needs explaining.

AO2 point against Wright 1

Historical evidence cannot prove supernatural events.

AO2 point against Wright 2

Faith may involve more than historical investigation.

20-marker structure on Bultmann

Point 1 demythologisation, Point 2 existentialism, Point 3 kerygma, Evaluation.

20-marker structure on Wright

Point 1 critical realism, Point 2 historical Jesus, Point 3 resurrection, Evaluation.

One-sentence comparison

Bultmann prioritises existential meaning while Wright prioritises historical reality.