The Identity of Christianity: Theologians and the Essence of Christianity from Schleiermacher to Barth

by Stephen Sykes

Book by Sykes, Stephen

349 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Stephen Whitefield Sykes was a distinguished theologian, academic, and bishop within the Church of England. Educated at Monkton Combe School and St John's College, Cambridge, he graduated with first-class honours in theology and trained for ministry at Ripon Hall, Oxford. He began his career as dean of chapel at St John's College, later holding key academic positions including Van Mildert Professor of Divinity at Durham University and Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. From 1990 to 1999, he served as Bishop of Ely, also sitting as a Lord Spiritual in the House of Lords. He later became Principal of St John's College, Durham, where he continued to shape theological education until his retirement in 2006. Deeply engaged in the doctrinal life of the Church, he chaired the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England from 1996 to 2002. Known for his intellectual rigor and commitment to ecclesial unity, Sykes also served as an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Durham. He faced his later years with resilience despite a debilitating illness, passing away in 2014. He was married to Marianne “Joy” Hinton, with whom he had three children. Sykes left a lasting legacy as both scholar and church leader.