RT Article T1 The Essence of Christianity JF Religious studies VO 7 IS 4 SP 291 OP 305 A1 Sykes, Stephen 1939-2014 LA English YR 1971 UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1686522029 AB The phrase '‘essence of Christianity' is ambiguous. The basic reason for this is that the word ‘'essence' has a more natural, though by no means uncomplicated, reference to substances, whether in philosophical or pharmacological discussion. Outside such contexts the use of phrases like '‘the heart of the matter', or ‘the 'essence of happiness' sound like earnest, but rhetorical devices to commend the depth or fundamental character of a specific investigation. DO 10.1017/S0034412500000378