what does "mysterium tremendum et fascinans" mean?
and awe-inspiring, fascinating mystery
what are the three main qualities that Otto said the divine would have?
The quality of mystery- God is incomprehensible
God is recognised as being of ultimate importance
God has an attraction that is both beautiful and dangerous
How does Otto use the term "numinous"?
He uses it to describe the feeling of awe-inspiring holiness
He argued the religious language is a 'schema', an attempt to find clusters of words which approach the idea being expressed although the idea is inexpressible
What was Otto's book?
The Idea of the Holy (1917)
used knowledge of natural sciences, comparative religion and oriental traditions
tried to identify what about a religious experience made it religious ("analysereligion")
fundamental to religion that individuals should have a personal encounter with natural forces
