The Essence of Christianity

The Essence of Christianity is a book by Ludwig Feuerbach in which he explains his philosophy and critique of religion. Feuerbach's theme was a derivation of Hegel's speculative theology in which the Creation remains a part of the Creator, while the Creator remains greater than the Creation. In Part One, Feuerbach developed what he calls the "true or anthropological essence of religion", treating of God in his various aspects. Thus God is nothing else than man: he is, so to speak, the outward projection of man's inward nature. In Part Two he discusses the "false or theological essence of religion", i.e. the view which regards God as having a separate existence over against man.