| Abstract | This thesis mainly addresses the claim to the retrieval of the kerygmatic nature of the New Testament in Bultmann's program of demythologizing. It is argued that, of the three elements of Bultmann's synthetic program of demythologizing of the New Testament (historical criticism, dialectical theology, and existentialist philosophy), it is the dialectical theology that plays a decisive, predominant role in restoring to the New Testament its essentially kerygmatic nature in the proclamation of the revelatory act of redemption by God though Jesus Christ. Chapter 1 examines critically the concept of mythology in Bultmann's program in order to show his central concern with de-objectifying. Chapter 2 focuses on Bultmann's commitment to dialectical theology in the starting point, limitation, and center of the program of demythologizing, in order to show that existentialist philosophy is put under the sway of his theological convictions. Chapter 3 attempts at a deepened understanding of the kerygma as a de-objectifying event which reveals the grace of the Wholly Other, hidden God. The thesis finally concludes that, due to the predominance of dialectical theology, existentialist philosophy should become unnecessary in the program of demythologizing. |
