I first heard the term “mysterium tremendum” when taking a religion class with Dr. Rose this summer. In our book, we had excerpts from Van der Leeuw, Rudolf Otto, Mircea Eliade and more in reference to this idea (although it was in the Otto excerpt that I first actually saw the term). The idea of mysterium tremendum conveys feelings of both awe/intrigue and fear. Many feel this when thinking of their own religious beliefs. They see Gods miracles and are in wonder of how such a thing could happen. They see Gods benevolence and experience love and gratitude. However, they also fear the ultimate judgment day. The retribution for sinning can eliminate someone’s chances of going to heaven.
The idea reminds me of images in art that expresses the two sides of Christ (like the famous Christ Pantocrator icon from Mt. Sinai at Saint Catherine’s Monastery). On his right side, Jesus is always depicted with the two-finger blessing and a kind facial expression. On his left, Christ has a firm facial expressional and he carries the book that symbolizes the final Day of Judgment. If you cover up one side the image and focus on the other one, it is much easier to see the distinction.
I think this idea is true of any religion’s idea of God. Any being in that position of power is to be both frightening/terrorizing and mysterious.
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