By Schubert Ogden
Bultmann argues that, in showing what Christian existence means, theology also has to show that "Glauben nur im Existieren wirklich ist und nicht als ein FiirFür-Wahr-Halten von Lehren" (G V GV 3: 193). Wiki Markup
But this seems to be the very point that Wittgenstein also wants to make about faith when he says that in giving us a historical report and saying, "Now believe\!" Christianity is not asking us to believe with the faith proper to a historical report, but rather asking us to believe "through thick and thin" -- "und das kannst Du nur als Resultat eines Lebens" (VB: 67). In other words, a faith that is actual only in existing and not in holding doctrines to be true is one and the same with a faith that one can have only as the result of a life -- or, as one might perhaps better translate, only as the result of \ [a\] living -- and therefore is not simply believing a historical report.
21 February 1996