Few weeks ago in class we talked about the Rudolf Otto’s idea of “mysterium tremendus of a holy place and how a place can embody an attractive quality, “facinans” while being terrifying at the same time. Couple weeks ago I came across the same reference to Rudolf Otto in a book that was suggested to me by a friend called Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God by Brennan Manning. In the chapter titled “Thinking Big” it Manning talks about the importance of understanding God’s mysterium tremendous in order to truly trusting him.
Manning explains that once one truly understands the “bigness” of God then only do they begin to trust Him. The psalmist claims that that “the fear of God is beginning of wisdom.” I have always wondered how can one fear and trust the same being? Doesn’t that contradict the point of trust? My natural instinct has always been to run away from such thing. However for some reason I am struck by the glory of God, the transcendent brightness, wisdom, ingenuity, and power. In the face of over whelming fear of the unknown I find comfort. Manning claims that facinans and mysterium tremendous is fundamental in authentic spiritual experience that leads one into total forgetfulness and a further awareness of human condition. It broadens the gap between God and profane self, making one feel tiny in comparison to Great and Mighty one.
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