City Upon A Hill Essay - 1546 Words

For the Puritans in the early New England colonies life was by no means easy, but there was the possibility to expand their beliefs free from the persecution from Church of England. They had the opportunity to create their ideal society under God with the bible as their law from which they would define how to live. The Puritans set out to create their model society which could spread and cull the impurities from the church. But how did these beliefs and goals ultimately effect their society? In the book Give Me Liberty: An American History by Eric Foner he notes that: â€Å"Puritanism, however, was not simply a set of ideas but a state of mind, a zealousness in pursuing the true faith that alienated many who held differing religious views†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦In their society the Puritans based their lives, beliefs, and communities on what they deemed as Gods law and true word, the bible (Barger). Reading the bible was expected for the members of society, this includ ed women and children, which was often unheard of (Foner 66) at that time. With their lives being restricted to the word of the bible this left very little leeway for anything other than what was deemed acceptable, and this rigid way of life was another straw that led to the eventual troubles and fervor that took over. The Puritans ultimate goal was for their ideal society, their City Upon A Hill, a model Christian society. According to Dr. Terry Matthew in Puritanism in America â€Å"They did not come to this country to find a place to practice freedom of worship. Instead, they came to find a place where their true religion could flourish.† They wanted to influence more than just their communities and those surrounding, they wanted to influence the Church of England and further in the hopes of purifying those that had strayed from what they deemed as the true and righteous path all by showing the way by their hard-fast examples. These goals that the Puritans strived to achie ve both at home and abroad placed a great amount of stress on the people and community. They were always working for their model society and for them their true leader was God. â€Å"Puritans believed in theShow MoreRelatedEssay on A City Upon a Hill by John Winthrop695 Words   |  3 PagesWinthrop’s essay â€Å"City Upon a Hill†, Winthrop expresses his distinct views on the aims of the Puritans coming to New England. During the early 17th century in Europe, some groups separated from the Church of England. These groups were known as the Pilgrims, who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. This religion had a direct impact on religious ideas and culture in America. John Winthrop acquired a royal charter from King Charles I and created the Massachusetts Bay Colony. â€Å"City Upon a Hill† was written onRead MoreAnalysis Of City Upon A Hill By John Winthrop1050 Words   |  5 PagesHow would the federalists view John Winthrop’s â€Å"City Upon a Hill† model? How would the anti-federalists view it? 2.) Are the federalists or anti-federalists right? 1.)   Ã‚  Ã‚   John Winthrop’s â€Å"City Upon a Hill† sermon inspired the Puritans aboard the Arbella by warning that the eyes of the world were watching their colonization of the New World. He also insisted that they were to set an example for all of the future generations to come. He called upon the congregants to keep God in their hearts, lestRead MoreAnalysis Of John Winthrop s City Upon A Hill And Jonathan Edward s Sinners1971 Words   |  8 PagesThe central theme of both John Winthrop’s â€Å"City Upon a Hill† and Jonathan Edward’s â€Å"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God†, is the prospect of religion in one’s everyday life influencing their future. In order to build up their ideas about acting in a way that pleases the Lord, both these authors use repetition, diction, allusions, and metaphors as a way to build momentum in their speech as they allude to teachings of the bible and their diction install a notion of uncertain ty. However, while WinthropRead MoreEssay on John Winthrop878 Words   |  4 PagesThe City upon the Hill John Winthrop founded the colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1630, where he was the first Governor of the colony, a position he held for twenty years. In April, 1630, aboard the ship Arbella, he led a large party from England for the new world to establish a pure Christian based colony. They hoped to establish communities of pure Christians who collectively swore a covenant with God that would they work for his ends, knowing that in return, He would watch over them. Read MoreCity On A Hill Myth Essay1298 Words   |  6 Pages The City on a Hill myth has been used throughout time to embed a sense of hope and power in communities. It can even be used to explain why groups of people feel they are able to transform or even colonize communities to that which best fits their ideal descriptions. Although the myth’s primary purpose may have been to unite a nation of people together and give communities a sense of purpose, it continues to isolate and even condemn those who do not fit into a community’s certain standard of whatRead MoreBenjamin Franklin And John Winthrop1651 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica should be presented as a â€Å"city upon a hill.† Franklin believed that the American dream should be presented as an ideal where men and women are equal and can both move up in social class on their own, practicing any religion they desired. On the other hand, Winthrop believed that the new world was a religious safe haven only for the Puritans. American Exceptionalism was overall the main focus, guiding America to define itself as a special nation founded upon democratic values and liberty.Read MoreThe Revival Of Christianity During The Late Roman Empire1357 Words   |  6 PagesConstantine ordered the Church to be built upon the western hill, indicating a shift away from the Temple Mount on the eastern hill, which Judaism had regarded as a holy space due to the Herod’s Temple, which had previously stood there. Through the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Christians were able to establish the western hill as the new holy center of Jerusalem, believing that the site of the Tomb of Christ was the holiest location in the world. Giving the western hill its own religious significance shiftedRead MoreWhite Prosperity Through Gentrification Of The Valley And The Bottom990 Words   |  4 Pagesspace between people and families grew ever immense. Which is evident since Morrison explicitly states that where once theaters, shops, and hotels occupied TV and telephone towe rs employ these cavities. Where once the community was founded upon the decrepit hills of a joke the only voices one can hear is driving a wedge between civilization and love. Interestingly, Morrison implants these towers in an attempt to convey that the economic prosperity that forces the citizens of the Bottom into the valleyRead MoreA Report On Anaheim Hills Essay1338 Words   |  6 PagesMEMORANDUM TO: PROF. NAVE FROM: SHANI PATEL SUBJECT: ANAHEIM HILLS DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2015 Scope: The context of this city report will be based on the town of Anaheim Hills. There will be a great amount of information that will be given about this town. I will be talking about this town’s demographics; it’s history, local stories, businesses, and future business plans that will benefit the community. I will be focusing on the demographics of this city and also a type of business that will appeal to a massRead MoreSuccess Of The Puritans816 Words   |  4 Pagesto God. In other words they want to create â€Å"A City Upon a Hill.† The Puritans had some failures along the way, and one of these failures included not creating their â€Å"City Upon a Hill.† However, the Puritans succeeded in being self-sufficient, challenging the typical society and politics. So while they did not succeed in creating their idea city, the succeeded in establishing a successful Colony. They Puritans wanted to create a â€Å"City Upon a Hill†, which was their perfect religious community.