Pre-understanding, text and tradition in the existential hermeneutics of Rudolf Bultmann

The article systematizes and analyzes the understanding of the phenomena “preunderstanding”, “text” and “tradition” in Rudolf Bultmann’s hermeneutic project. It is shown that R. Bultmann’s hermeneutics as an integral enterprise cannot be understood without these components. Preunderstanding, from the point of view of R. Bultmann, is an act of interpretation leading to understanding, associated with the circumstances of life, which are in themselves understanding. Historical understanding leads to self-understanding through the phenomenon of existential encounter with kerygma. Aspects of the ontological identity of Dasein and the acts of God in their continuality can be expressed through the concept of “preunderstanding”. Acquired through the interpretation of the text through an existential Dasein encounter, is identical to the Dasein that existed before the existential invocation of the text. Thus preunderstanding in R. Bultmann becomes a possibility of the ability to hear the Word of God before the presence of faith and the possibility of its interpretation if it is available...