A Response to Rudloph Otto's Concept of God & Christianity

In Chapter 1 of his book The Idea of Holy, Rudolph Otto touches on the concept of God. He claims that "in every theistic conception of God, it is essential that the deity is characterized by spirit, reason, purpose, good, will, supreme power, unity, and selfhood" (1). He goes on to say that "these attributes constitute clear, definite concepts that can be grasped by intellect, analysed by thought, and even admitted of definition" (1). Regarding Christianity specifically, Otto argues that "Christianity possesses such conceptions but possess them in unique clarity and abundance and this is a very real sign of its superiority over religions of other forms and other levels" (1).

While it is very obvious that Otto is a but biased here, I do agree with what he is saying (perhaps I'm a bit prejudiced myself). The Christian faith provides many clear concepts about God and his character which, for me, makes it easier to believe. Instead of having to make guesses or assumptions about the character of God, all I have to do is open up the Bible and read for myself about what He is like.

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