"City on a Hill"

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that … — “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)

In 1630, while aboard the Arbella before the ship's departure to the “New World,” an English-born Puritan leader named John Winthrop used the verses mentioned above to create the following vision for what would become New England’s Puritan colony:

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God's sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going.”

In layman’s terms. the New World was to become "A Model of Christian Charity,” an example to the rest of the world of what it meant to be a truly “godly society,” or else people would turn away from God. Instead, the United States became a beacon for American Exceptionalism, Racism, and White Supremacy. Things certainly hit the fan the day before yesterday when our “beloved” President, Donald Trump, decided it would be an appropriate gesture to forcibly move peaceful protesters against racism to take pictures in front of an iconic church while holding a Bible.

Today, as I reflect on current events and what it means to be a city on a hill, I find myself wondering two things: 1) “What does this mean for America?” and 2) “How do we (especially those who are Christians) work towards social change?”

For most of you, I know your first and only response will be to say of one or more of the following: “MAInTain ThE pEAcE,” DO NOt bE aNGry,” or “wE aLL jUsT nEed tO pRaY.” I’m not saying that these approaches are necessarily bad things. I am just asking that you consider doing more like educating yourself and getting involved in addressing these oppressive structures by demanding new and effective policies. (My future posts will expand on what I mean when I say these things).

To be honest, I do not fully know if America will ever be a place that values more than capitalism and white supremacy, but I fear that John was right when he said that turning away from God would cause Him to withdraw His help and make others speak evil against both God and us. Unfortunately for most of America, we have subscribed to the lie that “our sins” start and end with Roe vs. Wade and legalizing gay marriage. When in fact, I would argue “our sin” started in 1607 with English colonists forcibly removing Native Americans from their homelands and in 1619 with the official start of what became the American Slavery.

My point is…. WE NEED TO BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES IF WE WANT TO DO AND BE BETTER. At the end of the day, the legitimacy and the preservation of our faith, our country, and our people depend on it.