Briefwechsel 1929-1966

Starting in 1929, Rudolf Bultmann and Paul Althaus carried on a factual, and later amicable correspondence. The two researchers, from very different backgrounds, dealt with the central issues in Lutheran theology: anthropology and justification, Easter as a foundation of the Christian faith, the connection between Jesus' resurrection and his cross and with the resurrection of the believers. They also discussed demythologization and the understanding of revelation and the scriptures. It was only in 1933 that the discussion became political, and in this context there were surprising comments on euthanasia and medically assisted suicide. The main goal was not to reach a consensus. In fact both theologians were willing to carry on a discussion in order to strengthen their own position by using the other person's criticism. Matthias Dreher and Gotthard Jasper have added a historical introduction and a theological commentary to the correspondence and several source texts in the appendix.