The religious scene
Changes in outlook
The sixteenth century had been a time of very considerable change, not least in the area of religion. At the beginning of the century, everyone had been a Roman Catholic, from king to humblest peasant. It was the only church. By the end of the century, the state religion was Protestant, and the state church was the Church of England. But there were small groups of other christians, particularly those who had simply stayed Catholic and refused to change their religion.
Different groups
Even within the Church of England, there were different groups. At one extreme were those who stressed the role of liturgy, priesthood and conformity.
At the other extreme were the Puritans, who wanted to make the Church as reformed as possible, particularly looking towards the Swiss Reformer, John Calvin and his Reformed Church, as the model. That meant
- making worship services as plain and simple as possible
- getting the Bible translated and read every Sunday in church
- having clergy who were as trained and committed as possible.
Anglicanism
Under Queen Elizabeth a new form of church emerged which combined elements of Catholicism and Protestantism. Many intelligent and pious men agreed with Elizabeth's strategy. An Anglican theologian, Richard Hooker, wrote Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, which defined what Anglicanism was. And there were some fine preachers, including Lancelot Andrewes and John Donne, one of the Metaphysical poets. There was a Book of Common Prayer, a slightly revised version of the prayer book composed by Thomas Cranmer for King Edward VI (1547-53). There was also the English Bishops' Bible, to be read at every service.
The Authorised Version of the Bible
When Elizabeth died, James VI of Scotland came to the English throne as James I of England. He asked scholars to produce a new translation of the Bible, which became known as the Authorised Version or King James Bible. Published in 1611, became the standard translation, although it took a little time for everyone to accept it. The influence of the language of this Bible on English Literature has been profound, and it is difficult to study English at an advanced level without some knowledge of it. (See Impact of the Bible > English Bible Translations.)
The Book of Common Prayer
The language of the Prayer Book or Book of Common Prayer has had a lesser, but still very significant, influence. (See Impact of the Bible > Influence of the Book of Common Prayer on the English language.)
Member of a worldwide Christian church which traces its origins from St. Peter, one of Jesus' original disciples. It has a continuous history from earliest Christianity.
1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians.
2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship.
3. The worldwide community of Christian believers.
Christians whose faith and practice stems from the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century which resulted in new churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.
The 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.
Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.
A set form of a worship service in church, usually written down. This includes set prayers and Bible readings for certain weeks of the year.
Originally, a sixteenth and early seventeenth century Protestant, usually a Calvinist, who wished to reform the Church of England of all its Catholic characteristics.
1. Improved in character or condition. 2. When use of religious belief or practice, suggests the removal of perceived errors or abuses. 3. (With capital) used of Christians whose faith and practice stems from the Reformation movement, 16th Century.
John Calvin (1509-64). Leading figure in the Reformation.
1. Doing homage and giving honour and respect, especially to God. Acts of devotion. Human response to the perceived presence of the divine.
2. The part of the Christian liturgy usually consisting of sung material and prayers of thanksgiving.
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 collective term for priests and ministers of the church (as opposed to the non-ordained laity).
Devout, religious; showing reverence towards God.
The Anglican church is the 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.
Those engaged in the study of God.
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.
The book of prayers and church services first put together by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of King Edward VI (1547-53) for common (ie. general) use in English churches.
