Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Rudolf Otto was one of the most influential thinkers about religion in the 20th century. He is best known for his epoch-making book. The idea of the Holy, a path-breaking analysis of religion as a unique encounter with a numinous 'mysterium tremendum et fascinans. Until now critical studies have concentrated on Otto the theologian, philosopher, and historian of religions. But Otto was more; he was also an actor on the political, social, cultural, and ecclesiastical stages. His scholarly work should be seen as one facet of his broader, public activity. This collection of essays, introduced, selected and translated by Gregory D. Alles, aims to broaden the image of Otto available to English readers. It presents previously untranslated writings of Otto the politician, social commentator, and churchman. Also included are Otto's autobiographical reflections and a sampling from his late essays on ethics. In an informative introduction Alles outlines the discussions that Otto's ideas have evoked and traces the impact of Otto's thought on theology and the academic study of religion. He also examines criticisms of Otto's ideas and makes suggestions for future research.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Dr. Rudolf Otto was one of the most distinguished German theologians of the past century. Perhaps his best-known book was Das Heilige, which ran through ten editions in Germany before being published in an English translation in 1924 under the title, The Idea of the Holy. This work, originally published in German as Reichgottes und Menschensohn, created an even greater impression, and has had to be reckoned with in all subsequent studies of the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly from the point of view of his "Messianic self-consciousness." The first English translation was published in 1938 and the present volume is a reprint of the substantially revised edition of 1943.

Since the English translation first appeared in 1923, Rudolf Otto's volume has established itself as a classic in the field of religious philosophy. It offers an in-depth inquiry into the non-rational factor in the idea of the divine and its relation to the rational.