4. Miracles: Bultmann (Kerygma and Myth)

?
  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 18-06-17 10:40
View mindmap
  • 4. Miracles: Bultmann (Kerygma and Myth)
    • All miracles are mythological
    • They are wrapped in "mythological trappings" of 1st Century angels and demons and voices from heaven
      • Need to remove these trappings to expose historical Christ
    • A liberal interpretation
      • The Bible was written by humans using myth to convey truths
    • Modern science can explain things that would've seemed like miracles (e.g. healing)
    • People should be sceptical of Biblical miracles as:
      • The world through time is an unbreakable sequence of events
        • If the  sequence breaks (i.e. through divine intervention) then science ceases to exist
      • History is an unbroken whole
        • If there was divine intervention it would not be possible to link a historical cause with an event as it is unclear if the cause is divine or otherwise
          • Link this to Aquinas's view on God altering the past
    • Demythologising will lead to the Bible being relevant to own existence and will also lead to kergyma - proclamation, the true Gospel
      • E.g. the virgin birth is a myth used to emphasise the special nature of Christ
    • Strengths
      • The view does not accept the evidence Jesus existed, so doesn't undermine the Bible
        • However, the Biblical notion of redemption via Christ's blood is ridiculous as it is scientifically illogical
      • Science has shown that Satan and demons as well as angels do not exist, so the sacrificial mythology is irrelevant
        • Well has it really?
      • Demythologising the Bible may lead to to more acceptance of it and more people believing as it is more understandable/relatable
    • Criticisms
      • Myths are used all the time and can be understood easily, e.g. fables to children
      • Biblical miracles may be understood as analogies, as proposed by Tillich and Aquinas

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Philosophy resources »