Abstract:
Although the name Rudolf Bultmann is well known
in South African ecclesiastical circles, many South Africans distrust his theology because of
prejudice and the suspicion that it is not faithful to scripture. A synopsis of Bultmann’s own
theological description of faith is presented here with the focus on its historical development
and with the aim in mind to serve as an apology for a better understanding of his point of view
within the context of his life as a confessing Lutheran. The essay ends with a concise critical
evaluation of Bultmann’s understanding of Christian faith pointing out its continual value
for the current theological debate on the meaning of faith, as well as some minor conditional
reservations on his arguments.
