Oscar Cullmann
Encyclopedia
Oscar Cullmann was a Christian theologian
in the Lutheran
tradition. He is best known for his work in the ecumenical movement, being in part responsible for the establishment of dialogue between the Lutheran
and Roman Catholic
traditions. Because of his intense ecumenical work, Cullmann's Basel colleague Karl Barth
joked with him that his tombstone would bear the inscription "advisor to three popes." He was invited to be an observer at the Second Vatican Council
.
Cullmann was born in Strasbourg
(then in Germany
) and studied classical philology and theology at the seminary
there. In 1926 he accepted an assistant professorship, a position previously held by Albert Schweitzer
.
In 1930 he was awarded a full professorship of New Testament
, beginning in 1936 to also teach the history of the early church. In 1938, he began teaching both subjects at Basel
Reformed Seminary.
In 1948 he accepted a position teaching theology in Paris at the Sorbonne
while he continued at Basel. He retired from both in 1972.
Cullmann's studies on Christian eschatology
and Christology
drove him to propose a third position over against the popular positions of C. H. Dodd
and Albert Schweitzer
, known as "redemptive history". He wrote that Jesus Christ was the midpoint of sacred history, which informs general history, and which runs linearly from creation to consummation. He stressed the objective reality of sacred history against the existentialist interpretation of Rudolf Bultmann
, a fellow German theologian.
Upon his death at age 96, the World Council of Churches
issued a special tribute to Cullmann in honor of his ecumenical work.
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
in the Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
tradition. He is best known for his work in the ecumenical movement, being in part responsible for the establishment of dialogue between the Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
and Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
traditions. Because of his intense ecumenical work, Cullmann's Basel colleague Karl Barth
Karl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
joked with him that his tombstone would bear the inscription "advisor to three popes." He was invited to be an observer at the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
.
Cullmann was born in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
(then in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) and studied classical philology and theology at the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
there. In 1926 he accepted an assistant professorship, a position previously held by Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
.
In 1930 he was awarded a full professorship of New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, beginning in 1936 to also teach the history of the early church. In 1938, he began teaching both subjects at Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
Reformed Seminary.
In 1948 he accepted a position teaching theology in Paris at the Sorbonne
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
while he continued at Basel. He retired from both in 1972.
Cullmann's studies on Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
and Christology
Christology
Christology is the field of study within Christian theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Primary considerations include the relationship of Jesus' nature and person with the nature...
drove him to propose a third position over against the popular positions of C. H. Dodd
C. H. Dodd
Charles Harold Dodd was a Welsh New Testament scholar and influential Protestant theologian.He is known for promoting "realized eschatology", the belief that Jesus' references to the kingdom of God meant a present reality rather than a future apocalypse.-Life:Dodd was born in Wrexham,...
and Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
, known as "redemptive history". He wrote that Jesus Christ was the midpoint of sacred history, which informs general history, and which runs linearly from creation to consummation. He stressed the objective reality of sacred history against the existentialist interpretation of Rudolf Bultmann
Rudolf Bultmann
Rudolf Karl Bultmann was a German theologian of Lutheran background, who was for three decades professor of New Testament studies at the University of Marburg...
, a fellow German theologian.
Upon his death at age 96, the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
issued a special tribute to Cullmann in honor of his ecumenical work.
Literary works
Among Cullmann's important works are:- Baptism in the New Testament
- Christ and Time
- Peter: Disciple, Apostle and Martyr
- The Christology of the New Testament
- Early Christian Worship
- Salvation in History
- The Immortality of the Soul or the Resurrection of the Body: The Witness of the New Testament (available online)