The Idea of the Holy

Mark Oakley: I remember well first reading this at university, transfixed by those key words: numen, mysterium, tremendum, fascinans. I suddenly realized that religious people can’t have a monopoly on God and, in fact, often prove to be God’s most subtle subverters in preaching he is none of the above.

John Saxbee: Feelings matter when it comes to what we believe and why. Otto’s book countered the image of theology as somewhat dry and clinical by invoking the revelatory potential of everyday experience. He reached parts other theologians seldom reached – and he still does.