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Bultmann also says in the same context that "the texts that most nearly lend themselves to such questioning are the texts of philosophy and religion and literature. But in principle all texts (like history in general) can be subjected to it" (83). Elsewhere, he takes for granted that "the appropriate question with respect to [sc. interpretation of] the Bible -- at least within the church -- is the question about human existence, which is a question I am driven to ask by the existential question about my own existence. This is a question that finally motivates questioning and interpreting historical documents generally; for, in the last analysis, the point of studying history is to become conscious from it of the possibilities for understanding human existence. Of course," Bultmann adds, "there is yet another reason why this is the question with which I especially turn to the Bible. It lies in the fact (which for any merely profane interest is accidental) that the proclamation of the church refers me to scripture as the place where I will hear something decisive about my existence" (106).

Assuming that Bulhnann Bultmann is essentially right in what he says in these statements, I infer the essential correctness of the following statements of my own:

1.  No matter what they may think, say, and do, all human beings at least implicitly ask and seek to answer the existential question about their own possibilities of self-understanding.

2.  For this reason, they may also be led to ask and seek to answer the existentialist question about the possibilities for understanding human existence.

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