Numinous in the Modern Church

In the chapter “The Numinous in the New Testament,” Otto says that Christ didn’t teach, per se, the numinous aspect of the Holy One of Israel because the Jews already knew it. He taught the ‘heavenly Father’ that was not self-evident.

I think this is a good assessment of the gospels, and a good explanation to weave together the Old and New Testament. I think, however, it’s also a reason for the lacking of the numinous in the modern churches in America. The more I read about Otto’s “wholly other” and mysterium tremendum, the more I fall in love with that aspect of God and think it’s incredible. I can begin to see it expressed in the great cathedrals of Europe’s past, but think it’s all together missing in the evangelical churches in America, and in Christianity in general. There is nothing mysterious about most church buildings in America, and generally nothing tremendous about the church service. We don’t focus on the fascination we should have with the all powerful and incomprehensible God. “A value, precious beyond all conceiving…”

Past of the reason for this, I believe, is that we focus too much on the New Testament. Yes, it’s incredibly important because it’s the basis for our faith, but Jesus knew the Old Testament and used it for all his teachings. Even though we have a new covenant, there is much truth to be learned from the old. We have focused on Christianity so much on us and what Christ did for us when he was crucified, that we neglect the worth of God just in who he is and his absolute worth. It’s awful, and what people don’t realize is that we’re hurting ourselves and limiting our satisfaction by not exploring and attempting to understand the limitless worth of the Holy One.

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