The Bible
Rossetti's Tractarian approach
As a Christian, Rossetti believed that:
- The Bible was written by humans at the direct inspiration of God
- It formed the basis upon which humans can reach an understanding of who they really are, based on their faith in – and spiritual relationship with – Jesus Christ, referred to in the Bible as the Son of God
- On the basis of this faith, individuals can receive assurance of their place in the Kingdom of Heaven, both now and in their eternal life to come (following physical death)
In the light of these beliefs, Rossetti's poetry and prose writings also demonstrate her attitude that:
- The best way to understand the Bible is to approach it as a ‘live' text designed to help an individual grow as a Christian
- Rather than reading scripture as an intellectual exercise, she claimed that it can only be properly interpreted by asking God's Holy Spirit to guide the reader and bring out the Bible's relevance to his or her life.
Translations
The King James' Bible
Like most believers since the start of the seventeenth century, Rossetti most often refers to the 1611 King James Version of the Bible (also known as the Authorised Version). Until the publication of the 1885 Revised Version, the King James Version was the only translation which was generally available to Victorian readers. It is the origin of many common phrases and sayings in the English language. See Common sayings from the Bible and Literary titles from the Bible.
The Revised Version
In the late nineteenth century, a group of scholars revised the language of the King James Bible to make it more accessible to a wider audience. In 1881, they published a Revised Version of the New Testament and in 1885 they published an updated version of the Old Testament. Rossetti refers to the Revised Version of the Bible in her last book of devotional prose, The Face of the Deep: A Devotional Commentary on the Apocalypse, which she published in 1892.
The Psalter
Throughout her poetry and prose, Rossetti also refers to the Prayer Book version of the Psalms, often called the Psalter. Like many of her readers, she would have been used to chanting the Psalms from the Prayer Book in Church. The Prayer Book orders the Psalms in a calendar so that they could all be read by the devoted high church Christian every year.
Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
Belief and trust in someone or something.
1. Consisting of or relating to (the) spirit(s), rather than material or bodily form.
2. Relating to matters of the soul, faith, religion, or the supernatural.
3. A type of religious song whose roots are in the slave communities of North America.
(c. 4 BCE- c. 30 CE). The founder of Christianity, whose life and teaching are described and interpreted in the New Testament. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew 'Joshua'. He was also given the title 'Christ', meaning 'anointed one' or 'Messiah'.
Title used of Jesus in the New Testament and in Christian statements of belief.
Also called the Kingdom of God. The rule of God on earth and in heaven. Jesus taught that the Kingdom was both a present and a future reality.
A new quality of life, beginning in the present but continuing after death, which Jesus is said to offer to those who believe in him.
Sacred writings. The New Testament uses the term to refer to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). In time, the Christian Church recognised the Old and New Testaments as both containing God's authoritive written word.
The third person of the Trinity (God in three persons). Came upon the disciples at Pentecost after Jesus had ascended in to heaven.
The translation of the Bible in English which was produced in 1611 by a group of scholars appointed by King James I. It is the origin of many common phrases and sayings in the English language.
The translation of the Bible in English which was produced in 1611 by a group of scholars appointed by King James I. It is the origin of many common phrases and sayings in the English language.
updated version of the King James Bible, published in 1885
updated version of the King James Bible, published in 1885
A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.
A 'testament' is a covenant or binding agreement and is a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people). The sacred writings of Judaism (the Hebrew Bible). These also form the first part of the Christian Bible.
A book containing written prayers to assist worshippers. 'The Prayer Book' is also a term used to denote the 'Book of Common Prayer' ('BCP').
Book containing the Psalms and canticles.
Essentially the hymn book of the Jerusalem temple, expressing the whole range of human emotion, from dark depression to exuberant joy; many attributed to David.
Big ideas: Psalms
