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Title: Primitive Christianity in Its Contemporary Setting by Rudolf Bultmann, Reginald Horace Fuller ISBN: 0-8006-1408-9 Publisher: Fortress Press Pub. Date: September, 1980 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (1 review)

Rating: 5
Summary: A Great Book by a Great Intellect
Comment: This book came out in the 1950's and was translated into English by Reginald H. Fuller. Predictably, this book is not light reading. This volume makes it apparent why Dr. Bultmann was and is a prominent theologian. This book has 5 main sections: The Old Testament Heritage, Judaism, The Greek Heritage, Hellenism and Primitive Christianity.

Professor Bultmann points out various unique features of ancient Hebrew religion. Their "strong sense of history and election...distinguished Israel from all other nations." Also, "a non-sacrificial form of worship" such as occurred in the synagogues was unique. Finally, having a God who was not tied to the land was unusual. But the author does believe that the Persians or Iranians influenced ancient Judaism in several doctrines. The resurrection of the body and "hell as a place of torment" came from the east. Also, Babylon and Persia influenced Jewish apocalyptic writings.

Bultmann also has important chapters regarding the Mystery Religions, star worship and Gnosticism. According to the author, "Christian sacramental theology differs little from that of Gnosticism..." However, Christians did not adopt the Gnostic idea of the pre-existence of the soul. For Gnostics, their redeemer came before history began. With Christians, Jesus was part of recent history.

With Paul and the Stoics, the author sees overlapping ideas and vocabulary. But one key difference is the source of freedom. "The Stoic is free because of his reason." With Paul, a Christian is made free by the grace of God. The Lord's Prayer is similar in content to Jewish prayers of the day, but it is unique because of its brevity and simplicity. Finally, it is shown that "the early Christian doctrine of man" is very different from the Greek view.

In summary, this book succeeds in describing what preceded Christianity, what surrounded it and the early forms it took.

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