R. Otto
(325 words) The expression mysterium tremendum was introduced by R. Otto as a basic concept in phenomenology of religion; the author translated it as schauervolles Geheimnis, “terrible mystery.” The concept forms part of a description of how the numinous can be experienced by the religious feeling of the human subject.
What aspect of the sacred is designated by the term mysterium tremendum?
To call it the mysterium tremendum is to accentuate the awe-fulness of the holy, its ability to evoke fear and dread. This is the aspect of the sacred that allows it to be designated the ‘Wholly Other’.
What is Otto’s theory of religion?
Otto therefore understands religious experience as having mind-independent phenomenological content rather than being an internal response to belief in a divine reality. Otto applied this model specifically to religious experiences, which he felt were qualitatively different from other emotions.
What does Otto mean by numinous experience?
For Otto, the numinous can be understood to be the experience of a mysterious terror and awe (Mysterium tremendum et fascinans) and majesty (Majestas) in the presence of that which is “entirely other” (das ganz Andere) and thus incapable of being expressed directly through human language and other media.
What is a conversion experience?
• Such an experience usually changes someone with little or no faith to someone who has full. faith in God because they have seen him with their own eyes; it may change behaviour and. beliefs of that person specifically because they make a conscious decision to obey.
What are some examples of a mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans?
Rudolf Otto’s Concept of the “Numinous”
- “Mysterium”: Wholly Other, experienced with blank wonder, stupor.
- “tremendum”: awefulness, terror, demonic dread, awe, absolute unapproachability, “wrath” of God.
- “fascinans”: potent charm, attractiveness in spite of fear, terror, etc.
What is the mysterium Tremendum?
A great or profound mystery, especially the mystery of God or of existence; the overwhelming awe felt by a person contemplating such a mystery. In theological contexts the term is associated particularly with the German Protestant theologian Rudolf Otto (1869–1937).
What is the meaning of mysterium?
mysterium (plural mysteria) (chemistry, alchemy, now historical) Any of various unknown elements thought to make up existing forms of matter, or a substance seen as an elemental or pure form of something else.
What is mysterium in religion?
“Mysterium”: Wholly Other, experienced with blank wonder, stupor. “tremendum”: awefulness, terror, demonic dread, awe, absolute unapproachability, “wrath” of God. overpoweringness, majesty, might, sense of one’s own nothingness in contrast to its power.
What is the mysterium?
What is the relationship between a numinous experience and the mysterium Tremendum?
As mysterium, the numinous is “wholly other”– entirely different from anything we experience in ordinary life. It evokes a reaction of silence. But the numinous is also a mysterium tremendum. It provokes terror because it presents itself as overwhelming power.
