Author Description

In the correspondence between Rudolf Bultmann and his student Gunther Bornkamm, the two discuss central issues of New Testament studies which have not lost any of their significance. Among other topics, the interpretation of the last supper, the importance of the earthly Jesus for New Testament theology and the demythologization of the New Testament's proclamation are discussed. From the beginning, both correspondents belonged to the Confessing Church and were consistent advocates of freedom in theology and the church. Bultmann and Bornkamm made constructive use of the legacy of liberal theology, each in his own way: Bultmann with his programmatic of demythologization and Bornkamm with his subsequent participation in the research on the historical Jesus.