Furthermore, the estate provides a behind-the-scenes look at the 20th-century theological "wars." While Cullmann often clashed with Bultmann over the "demythologization" of the Bible, their correspondence in the inventory reveals a deep, mutual respect that is often lost in public academic debates. Conclusion
This is arguably the most significant portion of the estate. It contains thousands of letters with intellectual giants like Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann, and Albert Schweitzer. Most notably, it includes extensive documentation of his relationship with the Vatican, reflecting his role as a personal guest of the Pope during the Second Vatican Council. Inventar Nachlass Oscar Cullmann
The inventory of Oscar Cullmann’s estate is a testament to a scholar who refused to see history and faith as mutually exclusive. For anyone studying the origins of the ecumenical movement or the development of New Testament theology, these archives in Basel offer an indispensable window into the mind of a man who spent his life seeking the "center" of time. Furthermore, the estate provides a behind-the-scenes look at
Cullmann was a "theologian of the middle." His papers contain unique reports and reflections on the rapprochement between churches, detailing private conversations and official committee work that shaped modern inter-confessional dialogue. Significance for Research Most notably, it includes extensive documentation of his
Oscar Cullmann (1902–1999) was one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century, and his literary estate ( Nachlass ) serves as a vital map of the modern ecumenical movement and New Testament scholarship. Preserved primarily at the (Universitätsbibliothek Basel), the inventory of his estate reveals a life spent bridging the gaps between Protestantism and Catholicism, and between historical rigors and theological conviction. The Core of the Inventory
The Nachlass is not merely a collection of old papers; it is an essential resource for understanding the "Cullmann Method." By examining his unpublished notes, scholars can see how he rigorously applied the historical-critical method to the New Testament while maintaining a belief in the unfolding of a divine plan within human time.
The collection holds original drafts for his seminal works, such as Christ and Time (1946) and Salvation in History (1965). These documents allow researchers to trace the evolution of "Heilsgeschichte" (Salvation History)—his core theological concept—from early lecture notes to published monographs.