Mysterium Tremendum et fascinans

• Mysterium

  wholly other
• Tremendum

  • overpowers us
  • enthuses us
  • inspires awe + fear
• Fascinans

  Fascinating/attractive
• Example

  Moses and the burning bush
• "Place on which you are standing is holy ground"


  Mysterium
• "Afraid to look at God"


  Tremendum
• Our feelings are...

  • Sui generis
  • Non-rational
• Sui generis 


  Of their own kind/unique
• Non-rational


  cannot control/happen to you