The influence of Christianity
The significance of belief
As the daughter and sister of Anglican clergyman, Jane Austen was raised in a religious atmosphere shaped by the tenets of the Church of England. Her father has been described as a moderate Anglican who embraced the doctrine of salvation based on a balance of faith, deeds and grace. Jane Austen was an orthodox Anglican who appreciated the moral framework that Anglicanism provided for English society. While her religious beliefs undoubtedly influenced her writing, Jane Austen's characteristic subtlety as a novelist requires that the specifics of her faith be gleaned from additional sources such as her letters, prayers and family history.
Linguistic influence
Jane Austen was strongly influenced by the King James Bible .jpg)
and the Book of Common Prayer. Hearing readings and sermons week by week in church, she absorbed the language and rhythms of the Bible and of Anglican worship. While her novels are notable for their lack of reference to the Bible, her cadence, use of language, and the economy of her writing style echoes that of biblical writers.
Christian observance
Outward signs of religion were more obvious in Jane Austen's time than today. In villages and older towns and cities, parishes continued to be the centres of the life of the community, as they had been for centuries. As the daughter of a clergyman she was intimately familiar with parish life and the majority of the action and relationships in her novels are set in the context of the rural parish. Throughout her life Jane Austen observed the weekly and seasonal rites of the Church, and she took them seriously. Likewise, the gentry in her novels regularly attend church, although their attitudes to it range from the nominal to the devout, thus reflecting her era's approach to the Christian faith. Even those who were not Christians or did not hold traditional beliefs, would have recognised the origin of the moral and ethical standards of the day.
The state of the Church
While Jane Austen continued to hold firmly to her Anglican beliefs and practices, the Church of England was being criticised on various fronts:
- Groups of Dissenters separated themselves from the Established Church. Some of these groups were characterised by their:
- Move away from a theology based on the centrality and authority of Christ
- Belief that reliance on the external authority of God should be replaced with the internal authority of self or reason
- Disagreement with the Church's, monarch's and aristocracy's authority in the affairs of state.
- The Evangelical movement grew from within the Church of England and fought against corruption both within the church and society:
- They believed that, since human beings are profoundly affected by sin and unable to achieve a close relationship with God by their own efforts, they are in need of salvation
- They believed in the infallible authority of the Bible
- They placed an emphasis on individual piety through worship, Bible reading and prayer.
Jane Austen's letters suggest that she was ambivalent toward the Evangelical movement, at times strongly disagreeing with it, and at times regarding it more favourably, at least in its aim to improve the moral condition of the country.
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.
Someone ordained as a priest, deacon or bishop to teach, conduct religious services, administer the sacraments and provide pastoral care within the Christian Church. Until recently, only men could be so ordained.
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.
In the Bible, salvation is seen as God's commitment to save or rescue his people from sin (and other dangers) and to establish his kingdom.
Belief and trust in someone or something.
Undeserved favour. The Bible uses this term to describe God's gifts to human beings.
1. In accordance with the established teaching of a particular religion. 2. Conventional. 3. (Usually with capital) Relating to the form of Judaism which lays especial emphasis on observing ancient tradition. 4. Orthodox Church
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.
Communication, either aloud or in the heart, with 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 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.
A talk which provides religious instruction and encouragement.
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.
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.
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.
In music and literature a ‘falling’ rhythm or harmony which signifies an ending.
Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it.
A regular observance or ceremony, commonly associated with the Church.
Someone who disagrees with an opinion; often used with reference to religious belief or practice.
The recognised Church of the state, for example, the Church of England.
The study of God.
Title (eventually used as name) given to Jesus, refering to an anointed person set apart for a special task such as a king.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
Movement in England and elsewhere from the eighteenth century onwards which stresses the importance of the Bible in understanding the truth about God
Disobedience to the known will of God. According to Christian theology human beings have displayed a pre-disposition to sin since the Fall of Humankind.
Being exempt from error.
