Biography

German-born Rudolf Otto studied theology and philosophy at the Universities of Gottingen and Erlangen. Besides being a professor of theology, Otto also participated in politics as a member of the Prussian Parliament. He held leadership roles with the church community. Otto was a proponent of meshing science and religion together rather than accepting one and rejecting the other. Hindu texts were translated into German by Otto, and he also wrote comparisons of Christian and Indian religions. Among his writings are The Idea of the Holy, Mysticism East and West, and India's Religion of Grace and Christianity. Otto had a keen interest in exploring other religions. Otto lived from 1869 to 1937.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer