Otto, Rudolf

(1869–1937)

   Theologian.

   Otto was born in Hanover, Germany, and was educated in Erlangen and Göttingen. He then taught theology at Göttingen, Breslau and Marburg. He is primarily remembered for his Das Heilig, translated into English as ‘The Idea of the Holy’. Drawing on his knowledge of oriental religions and psychology as well as on the Christian tradition, he coined the term ‘numinous’ to describe the feeling of awe and attraction evoked by an encounter with the Divine.

   P.C. Almond, Rudolf Otto: An Introduction to his Philosophical Theology (1984);

   R.F. Davidson, Rudolf Otto’s Interpretation of Religion (1947);

   H.W. Turner, Rudolf Otto, The Idea of the Holy: A Guide for Students (1974).