Consider these historic words: "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 byword through the world" . . . – John Winthrop, from a sermon delivered aboard the Arbella enroute to New England, 1630.
Explain the context of this quote -- who was the intended audience, what was his purpose, and why is the phrase "city upon a hill" so often quoted? Using a search method such as "Google," find and explan other instances in which famous persons have used the quote. Explain why it's still relevant.
Remember to proof your work (use spelling and grammar checks) before posting. Practice standard capitalization (not texting, please).
Responses must be received before Jan. 10 for credit. Posts that have unacceptable spelling or language will not receive a grade.
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Hannah Meeks- I believe that this quote was used by John Winthrop as encouragement. He wanted the Puritan people to spread the word of God throughout the new lands they explored. He said that the eyes of the people would be upon them(the Puritans), and I believe he was saying non-puritans would be watching and waiting for them to make mistakes. Now, this quote is used by Christians to spread the word of God by doing good and coming together. Ronald Reagan was recorded using the phrase; "A shining city on a hill". He used it to describe the potential of the American people if we trully came together. This is relavent because he wanted the Puritans to come together and spread God's word to make a perfect world for everyone.This phrase will most likely be used for a while because it is such and inspiration to most people as relazation that something can be done for the greater good of our world.-Hannah Meeks
ReplyDeleteWinthrop directed this in a sermon to fellow Puritans on the Arbella during their voyage to New England. His goal was to persuade the colonists to create a model protestant society as an example for the world. The phrase “city upon a hill” is used often because it suggests that everyone can see you and your actions, so you should act as an example for others to follow. President elect John F. Kennedy used the quote in a speech at the state house in Boston in 1961 because the whole world was watching the United States, so it was necessary to be an example. This is still true today, making that famous quote relevant, long after it was first used.
ReplyDeleteIn a Christian perspective, looking at the quote from “A City Upon a Hill”, God Is saying to the puritans that they are to act as they know they should act by his standards because the entire world shall see their actions for they are who everyone will look up to for model behavior…
ReplyDelete"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."—Jesus, from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:14-16.
Many people have read this passage from John Winthrop, and presidents have quoted this passage. "Politicians as diverse in their ideology as John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale and Bill Clinton have all borrowed Winthrop's vision, each of them giving it his own spin," Kimberly Winston wrote for Beliefnet.com. Ronald Reagan first used it in his speech “The Shining City Upon the Hill” referencing America as the country the whole world is looking at. President G. W. Bush used his remediation in his inaugural speech.
Today this quote is still relevant because in someway or another someone is looking up to us or looking at us, whether it be a country, an employer, or a younger companion. If we put on a face for people they will never know our true character. Our true character is proven by what you do when no one is looking. We are a city upon a hill, we are what the others look up to, and we should act as if someone is watching us all day and show our true character.
References:
• http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=America_is_a_shining_city_upon_a_hill
• http://www.originofnations.org/books,%20papers/quotes%20etc/Reagan_The%20Shining%20City%20Upon%20A%20Hill%20speech.htm
• http://www.beliefnet.com/News/Politics/2005/01/Our-National-Theologian.aspx
I think that this quote is saying that everyone will be watching to see what they do so they have to be careful and please God in whatever they do. When they become a built city and church the word will be spread in ways that people all across the world will know of their success. This quote is revering to the Puritans. The purpose of this is to tell the Puritans to watch what they do, also do good things because if they don’t then God won’t help them anymore and they won’t be able to succeed like they want. The phrase “city upon a hill” is so often quoted because it’s a phrase that says that everyone is watching to see what you do so you have to do your best to prove your doubters wrong. John F. Kennedy used the phrase “city upon a hill” in his speech 'Joint Convention of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts'. He was telling them that they were to be watched and judge by his actions during his presidency because he was from there so they had to hold on to their qualities of life and don’t change them because they were already great. The quote is still relevant today because we still have to be a “city upon a hill” because we are watched everyday to see if we slip up and do something wrong.
ReplyDeleteJohn Winthrop, speaking to the people of the city, stated that they should live as "a city upon a hill". By this he means they should live as if all eyes are one them, as if they are in plain sight of everyone around them. In this case if they were to make a mistake everyone would know. If they commit an act against God causing him to be against them and no longer at their assistance, that all people would know and they would be made a story of for the world to hear.
ReplyDeleteJohn F. Kennedy also used this quote on January 9, 1961, to the Massachusetts State Legislature
In this quote I believe it is saying that people are constantly looking at us. They look at the way we act and expect us to do things the way God would want us to. As if we are an influennce to the people around us and should be a light for God. If we do not act as this light, God will have taken his blessing away from us.
ReplyDeleteI think this quote was intended for all christians that would be looked upon as an influence on the rest of the world. Another public figure that has stated this quote in another instance is John F. Kennedy.
The quote is stating that America is an example to the other countries of the world. The intended audience is the author's fellow Americans. Its quoted so often to remind us why we're the leaders of the free world. It was also used by John F. Kennedy in 1961.
ReplyDeleteA city upon a hill means to me that they were being watched by everyone around them. So if they sinned everone would know about it and there God would punish them for it. They needed to live life with a positive attitude and make sure that they lived the way God had intended. Francis J. Bremer quoted John Winthrop in an article about the Puritan founders.
ReplyDeleteI think what he's saying is that America is an example for the rest of the world. If America does something wrong then the rest of the world will see that and follow. The audience was the people of America. His purpose was to show America other countries are following what America is doing. Another persont hat used it was John F. Kennedy. The "city upon a hill" was quoted because he was talking to America.
ReplyDeleteHannah Meeks
ReplyDelete1-19-10
3rd block
The words of John Winthrop’s sermon were very inspirational. It was meant to inspire the traveling settler’s hearts for the word of God. I believe that John Winthrop succeeded in this feat. The phrase “A City upon a Hill” has been repeated many times throughout our history and throughout the history of the lives before ours. I believe this is evidence of his success.
The travelers aboard the Arbella to New England happened to have been Puritans. John Winthrop was strong in this faith and believed when they all got to America they could spread the word of God through the people already there. His sermon was created to make the travelers realize that people would be watching and waiting for them to make mistakes. The settlers would have to be as perfect as possible to make believers of all nations. John wanted a Utopia and he was going to try as hard as he could to make one.
The phrase “A City upon a Hill” is used so often in our lives. I believe this is because this phrase was so inspirational. While a utopia may not have been created, good things did come from John Winthrop’s sermon. One instance in which this phrase was used was when Ronald Regan made his last speech to the public. It’s still relevant because people today still need as much inspiration as they did when John made his speech. Making the world a better place is possible. We as Americans just have to realize what to work for.
It means to me that, we should watch what we do because; you never know who is watching. And we should always watch out for others. It is saying that you should be the best person you should want to be, and please your friends and set a good example.
ReplyDeleteAnd by doing this we build a great community that everyone wants to live in, and a safe place to stay, where there are no crimes, drama, or hatred around you. A city that has high expectations of themselves and will carry out there expectations in a good and proud way without any complaints.
Ra'Shun Roper
The phrase "as a city upon a hill" means that the people of early America should be an example for other nations to follow and look up to and that everyone is watching them and everything they do. That they should do as best they can and if not that God should remove his approval and presence from the midst of the people. It was intended to the Christians of the newfound land to tell them to be a leader and show the Christian faith to the other religions and/or people that might gaze at their actions as a nation. The phrase is often quoted to say "people are watching you and you actions so be careful and responsible". It is quite relevant to America and its actions in the world today.
ReplyDeleteJohn Winthrop wasn’t the most famous person in American history, not everyone knows something about him, but if you did it would probably be about his sermon "Christian Charity". The quote “A City upon a Hill” was recognized quite often. The quote was commonly used and seen because it was basically trying to spread Christian belief of the puritans. The intended audience for this sermon was the puritans of this time period. The purpose of this was to let people know about the puritan’s beliefs and to spread the word about the church also, to overrule the Catholics and to get ahead of them because the puritans knew they were correct on the Christian belief.
ReplyDelete“A City on a Hill”
ReplyDeleteJohn Winthrop’s famous sermon aboard the Arbela, I think was meant to inspire the stalwart pilgrims’ to keep the faith and spread God’s word to the natives. I think he used the phrase “A city Upon a Hill” to point out that they needed to be a guiding light to those living in the preverbal darkness. I believe that Mr. Winthrop wanted to inspire a passion for whatever or whoever lay ahead.
I think the reason many people use the phrase “A City upon a Hill” to describe and to inspire a populous of people to work hard and do their best. The phrase is used to describe how to have more dignity than others’, and to show an example to everyone.
In this quote John Winthrop was talking to the passengers aboard a ship to the New World. He wanted this new colony to be an example for all others to follow. John Winthrop was so devout in his beliefs, that anyone who disagreed with his beliefs was banished from the colony. Anne Hutchinson was one such person. She said that good behavior was a sign of salvation. This was against the Puritan belief of pre-destination, which said that people’s destinies were chosen before birth. Complaints were made and she was exiled from the colony.
ReplyDeleteThis saying has been used by many over the years. President John F. Kennedy used it before he was inaugurated. This quote will always be relevant. Everyone needs a good example and there will always be a “City Upon a Hill” to serve this purpose.
The phrase “A city upon a hill…” in my opinion means that the speaker wanted his people to do right and be high-spirited because everyone would be looking at them. You should always do the right thing because you never know who may be watching and what the consequences will be if you get caught doing wrong. By doing what is right, you can strive to be all you can be.
ReplyDeleteIt was also made to inspire the people to obey the word of God. The people on the Arbella were Puritans and so we know they believed in pleasing God.
We have heard this historic phrase many times. One person who used this phrase was former President John F. Kennedy.
I believe that the quote is trying to tell all the Puritans to help spread the word of God. When the quote state “the eyes of all people are among us”, it's saying that the Puritans were being watched at everything they did. If they were to turn against God, than he would no longer assist them. The phrase “A City Upon A Hill” is basically saying that everybody can see what you do.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that his purpose was to tell the Puritans that they should change their ways before they turn against God. This quote will most likely be used in the present day, in order to help spread more about the word of God.
“We shall be a city upon a hill” is one of the most inspirational quotes to be stated.This quote means that as Americans, we should be an example to the world that God created. I believe the audience was intended for American people to come together and stand for God and their country. If we choose not to do so than the world will know because their eyes are upon us. Also, God will choose to no longer help in our country.
ReplyDeleteJohn F. Kennedy also repeated the inspiring quote. He said it when he was President Elect to Massachusetts State Legislature. This shows that American shall be a model for all the world.
Though not many people know who John Winthrop is, he created one of the most inspirational and used quotes today. I believe the intended audience was the passengers aboard the Arbella. The purpose of this was to tell them that they should act as if they are being watched all the time. The phrase “a city upon a hill” means that everyone looks up to us and expects us to do the right thing and be the leaders, and with the Christians coming to early America they should spread their faith and act like Christians. Also, God watches us, and if we don’t act like we should then God knows this and he will withdraw his help from us. I believe that the reason why this phrase is still often used is for inspiration. One time when this phrase was quoted was by John F. Kennedy on January 9, 1961, to the Massachusetts State Legislature.
ReplyDeleteThe speech A City Upon a Hill can be best recognized as a revolutionizing view of the Christian belief. The speech was intended towards the Puritan society of the present American colonies. The point of the speech was to encourage the spread of the Puritan beliefs in the Church; directly intending to the growth of the Protestant church rather than the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase A City Upon a Hill is regularly quoted because it is a leading force in spreading Christian belief. It also is enforced to make Christianity become a world-wide phenomenon in the eyes of its viewer. Essentially, the phrase can be translated as saying ‘something that everyone can see’. This can be suggested as the popularity and sharing of Christianity. This speech leaves Winthrop a world recognized leader in Christianity today.
John Winthrop explains in his sermon how Americans should act in a way that is holy and pleasing to God. "A City Upon A Hill" is a perfect quotation of life as a leader. America is set to a higher standard, and is looked upon by other countries. John Winthrop tells the passengers that everyone else can see them and whether they follow God and prosper or defy him and fail as a society. The "city upon the hill" is to be made an example for all other people.
ReplyDeleteIn "A City Upon A Hill", John Winthrop was trying to get this message to all the Puritans. I believe that this quote was said to get the Puritans to spread the word of God. John Winthrop was trying to say that no matter what you are doing there is someone watching over you every moment. This quote is a very famous quote, and many special people have put this quote in their speech, such as our old presidents.
ReplyDeleteYou should always do things to where you can be proud of yourself and in the work you did. I believe that if you put all your heart into your work, everyone will respect it. Many people act decent and get a lot of credit, but truly your real face is seen when you are alone. Putting on a mask doesn’t always impress people, as you may think. We are the city upon a hill where everyone looks up to us and depends on us to show them the right way to be.
This phrase was spoken to the Puritans in a sermon by John Winthrop while aboard the Arbella. “A City Upon A Hill” is basically stating that all the actions of the Puritans would be seen by everyone else. If the Puritans did something wrong, the rest of the world may follow. Using this expression, John Winthrop was encouraging the people to live their lives in the best way that they could. Also he may have been implying for the Puritans to be good examples for other people to live their lives by.
ReplyDeleteThis phrase is often quoted because it is a good thing for people to live by. John F. Kennedy used this saying in his speech to the state house in Boston on January 9, 1961. He was speaking to the United States because, like the Puritans, their actions were seen by other countries.
When I hear the phrase, “A City Upon A Hill”, I believe that John Winthrop intended for this to be heard by the Puritans. To me it means that he was telling them to be a model for all those who would look up to them. In other words, make good decisions because you never know who is watching. I believe that the phrase is still used now because anyone can look up to you as a role model and you don’t want to show them poorly decided choices. If you make a bad decision then other people (thinking that was the right decision) will do the same.
ReplyDeleteJohn F. Kennedy also used this phrase in his speech to the state house located in Boston on January 9, 1961.
The intended audience of John Winthrop’s sermon given on the ship Arbella was the Puritans on their journey to their new home in North America.
ReplyDeleteHis purpose was to motivate the Puritans to become a model society based on their strong biblical convictions and Old England traditional beliefs. Winthrop wanted the Puritans to understand that this was a society that was ordained and blessed by God and would continue to be blessed as long as they stayed on God’s course and gave God the glory.
It is often quoted because it indicates that the place or society being referenced is indeed on a mission of higher calling and will be blessed and completely visible and watched by all others.
The quote has been used extensively in history; Winthrop himself borrowed the quote from Matthew 5:14-16 of the Christian Holy Bible. Many American presidents have used the quote, with one of the more famous uses coming from Ronald Reagan when he called America “a shining city on a hill”. It has also been used in modified forms with one example being from George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the USA, 'America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world,’ the president said in an address to the nation.
The quote is still very relevant today. With the many world issues, the United States is the lone superpower left standing and must take the lead on humanitarian, political, and military conflicts. Whether in agreement or disagreement, the world watches the United States. The fact that the United States was founded on biblical principals projects a society that is doing God’s work.
Jared Payton-
ReplyDeleteJohn Winthrop’s sermon, “A City Upon a Hill”, was logically a call to action for the Puritan people to be an example of how to live one’s life, because it was their purpose to purify the world by their actions. Also, one of his other main points was that they did sin or go against God that God would lift his hand of protection and help from them.
Many famous people have used this quote in speeches over hundreds of years because it inspires people. A number of presidents like Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy have used this line, referring to our country, all for the same reason: it inspires people to have pride in their country and calls them to action. “A city upon a hill” is a quote that can remain relevant to people as a whole and countries because of its inspiration and the fact that there always needs to be a leader which is what the quote is calling a person to be.
The saying “city on a hill” is a very well- known saying. John Winthrop was the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Being in such a high rank I am sure he had to take up many responsibilities, and one of these responsibilities was teaching the people who came to the New World with him that they were to be an example to the rest of the world. This is what he meant when he said “city upon a hill.” By being a city upon a hill everyone would look up to you and ask you for guidance. He was preaching to the people about this subject because he wanted them to act in a Christian behavior and be an example to all. This phrase is still used today. President Ronald Reagan said the phrase on his farewell speech because he was an example to many, and I believe he wanted them to follow in his footsteps. People use this saying today because people want us to be an example and want us to do the right thing. I believe this is what John Winthrop was saying.
ReplyDeleteWhen John Winthrop delivered this sermon, he directed it at all of the Puritans in the New World. He meant that they should act their best to do what is right, and to follow in the ways of God, as everyone else in the world would look up to them and follow their examples. He knew the significance of the people in America, and wanted them to do their best to make a good impression on the world.
ReplyDeleteIt was quoted by John F. Kennedy in 1961, and also by Ronald Reagan in 1989.The quote is still relevant in today's society because people still look up to what is up highest on the hill, and they try to duplicate the actions of those who are higher up.
I think John Winthrop was speaking to the Puritans when he made this sermon. He was trying to tell them that the rest of the world was watching them to see if they would be able to establish a new colony in the New World. The Puritans lived by the word of God. They asked God’s help but they were afraid to anger him. If they angered him and did not go by God’s standards, they were afraid that God would withdraw from helping them. Then the rest of the world would be looking at the Puritans in a negative light.
ReplyDeleteI think this phrase is often quoted because it is something that everyone can live by. It still has a large amount of relevance to today’s life. Your actions and your words are always being watched by someone else. Therefore, you have to set a good example by how you act.
Many presidents have used the phrase “A City on a Hill” including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. The rest of the world looks up to America and aspires to have the American way of life. That is why the presidents used John Winthrop’s phrase. They knew America was being looked up to and they wanted America to be a good representation of being other countries’s “role model.”
In this quote i belive John Winthrop was trying to influence the Puritans to speak the word of God to others. As we all know the puritans are very strong believers in God. So we know that the title "A City Upon A Hill" wants us to strive to be the best we can be at all times. It is often hard to live at our fullest for God. We tend to blend in as christians instead of standing up for Jesus Christ as we should. "A City Upon A Hill", influences me to live my best for God and stick out rather than to blend in.
ReplyDelete“A City Upon A Hill” by John Winthrop was a quote intended for the audience of the present and future American Christians of these great states. The author’s intentions for this quote was to influence the people that read it that we have a good thing going and that God is with us for as long as we let him. Second is that we should put our trust in God for the future of America. The sermon has shaped America's religious foundations and has always served as points of debate, so “A City Upon A Hill” how the sermon changed the course of American history examines not just religious history but an intrinsic part of American culture. History's most powerful sermons are examined in a survey that reveals how they are linked to important events in American history. By using the sermon as a foundation for analysis, A City Upon a Hill reveals the political, philosophical and military changes affecting both church and state, making it a top for both spirituality and historical libraries alike.
ReplyDeleteBy: Trey Arthur
The quote “A city upon a hill” simply means to me that you should always do the right thing because you never know who may be watching. If you do wrong, people are always going to hold that against you. Therefore you should strive to be the best you can be at all times.
ReplyDeleteI think John Winthrop wanted his followers to set an example to everyone back in England. I think he wanted to inspire, keep the faith, but also spread the word of God at the same time. I also believe that he uses these words “A city upon a hill” to mean that everyone looks up to us, everyone admires us.