Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans

Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans 

Topic of Choice

October 20, 2015

In his famous study of the holy, Rudolph Otto introduced the idea of mysterium tremendum et fascinans, which literally translated to “terrible and fascinating mystery.” Otto observed this to be a universal principle that all people experience when they encounter the holy. The holy evokes awful dread and terror. It is a sublime encounter that brings about the awareness of one’s creatureliness, smallness, and insignificance before the face of the divine. This terrible mystery is countered by a feeling of fascination. The victim is interested and intrigued by the terror. They feel some mysterious gravitational pull toward that which, at the same time, repels them. This experience is far more common than we often realize. On day 11 of my AT pilgrimage I woke up at 6:00am, stuffed all my belongings into my 65 liter pack, and headed down the trail. After a quick stop for breakfast in a cow pasture, I began to make my way up White Top Mountain, the second highest point in Virginia. The rain began to pick up as I made my steady ascent up the unforgiving switchbacks. Walking up the mountain, soaking wet, with absolutely nothing to prove is, ironically, one of the most freeing experiences. Finally, I emerged from the green canopy of trees into an open field where I could see no further than 20 feet in front of me due to heavy fog. I had reached the top of the mountain, or another world so it seemed. Off to the left of the path sat Buzzard Rock, one of the best places to catch a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains in the entire region. I dropped my pack and climbed to the edge of the rock. Standing on the precipice of the rock, looking out into the distance, all I could see was a thick white cloud of misty fog that hurt to stare directly into. By faith, I knew that somewhere behind this cloud of mystery lay an endless view of mountains and felt the sublime presence of the mountains that stood tall and strong behind the fog, though I could not physically see them. Approaching God is like standing on the brink of Buzzard Rock looking out into a sea of fog that hides the mountains you know are there. I found myself simultaneously fascinated and full of fear. Experiencing the presence of God is a similar experience. I am drawn in by the message of love and mercy and repelled by the message of justice and holiness. Wilderness calls me to live by faith when met with mystery. It beckons me to the brink of myself, calling me to participate in a story that is far greater than me but nonetheless recognizes the significance of my role.