Challenges - Bultmann:

Rudolf Bultmann:

• Agreed that Kerygma is an announcement, not a doctrine/treaching.

• No interest in trying to prove a unified Kerygma like Dodd.

• Acts contain myths that are irrelevant to the modern age.

• Must distinguish between myth and Kerygma

• This results in an existential decision of faith.

Adapting the Christian message:

Three options for acts:

• Believe them literally - ignore the modern world.

• Cut out the myths - try and construct faith from what remains.

• Find the Kerygma - discover the truth about existence expressed through the mythological language.

Two mythologies in the NT:

• Jewish apocalyptism - the current era will be replaced by the end of the world.

• Gnosticism - Each person is a spark of life trapped in the world. A being of light is sent by God to liberate our sparks.

• Both types of myth are hard to take literally.

• We must find the Kerygma within.

• It cannot be understood without cultural expression.

Kerygma of the NT:

For Bultmann, the Kerygma is:

• We are not masters of the world

• Our powers are finite

• There is a transcendent power

• We can be forgiven

• We cannot control life

• It is possible to find a spirit of openness in the future.

• The Kerygma elicits an emotional response

• A decision is required

Bultmann:

• Kerygma is not myth - it is communicated through myth.

• No ‘pure’ Kerygma exists outside of culture.

• Power was felt when people heard rhe message

• It is still powerful now.

• “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other Apostles, “brothers what should we do?” - Acts 2:37

• Demands a faith response.

• Realised eschatology.

• ‘End time.’ Related to real judgement by a higher power now.

Kerygma:

• The exact compositional elements do not matter.

• It cannot be explained through science.

• It is never complete.

• It is not doctrinal.

• It cannot be proven historically

• It is not myth - it is heard through myth.