Chapter 2 - City Upon A Hill Flashcards
Corprate communities
Led by John smith, settled in Jamestown, Virginia; Colonial settlements established for economic or financial purposes by various companies; remote circumstances helped foster the idea and practice of self-governance
John Rolfe
Virginia colonist leader who pioneered cultivation of tobacco as profitable enterprise; married Pocahontas
Indentured servitude
Land owners would pay the passage of those willing to come to colonies in exchange for term of service
House of Burgesses
An assembly of representatives elected by common people to voice concerns of colonies to governor similar to the House of Commons; this group passed ordinances, approved taxes, and gave the governor an idea of what was going on
Christopher Columbus
Genoese mariner who discovered Americas while searching for a trade route to India; idealist, visionary, believed God guided him; bad reputation for greed, power lust and destruction
Covenant communities
Settlements based on religious or moral values, mostly interested in being an example to Europe or living according to their own moral Liberty. (Pilgrims and puritans)
Pilgrims
Small congregation of separatists seeking to distance themselves physically and spiritually from the Church of England - settled in Plymouth to do so. Led by William Bradford; we honor them because they faced hardship with courage
Robert Brown
Writer and proponent of separatist movement that demanded separation from the Church of England. His writings inspired groups to emigrate to America for religious freedom. Taught that “God’s people whom he had chosen for salvation would always be small in number, not mired in corruptions.”
Puritans
Settled in Massachusetts Bay, Boston because they wanted to reform the Church of England rather than sever ties with it; believed in Christian calling, moral self-governance and being god’s elect. Led by John Winthrop ; emphasis on living god’s law and glorifying his kingdom
John Calvin
Predestination theology teacher who inspired puritans the most; God has predestined who will be saved; the bible is the final authority for matters of faith
The Christian calling
From the theology of John Calvin that people should pursue a “calling” in worldly work by rising in the morning, work hard, save money and invest it wisely; prosperity indicates godly approval; “Christians should be workers in the world, facing up to their flawed humanity and be content to live the life of mere mortals to glorify God rather than emulating him.”
Moral self-governance
Puritan ideal that all must live a righteous life on their own with each responsible for his own actions and those of his family with an eye on his neighbor as well.
John Winthrop
Elected governor of the Puritan colony known for “A Model of Christian Charity” where he stated that the Puritan colony would be a “city upon a hill.”
Tabula rasa
Puritans felt that the new world was a “blank slate” for mankind to begin the human story anew
City on a hill
Biblical ideal invoked by John Winthrop that a society designed by civil liberty would be an example to the world
Natural Liberty
Men are free to do what they please without regard for the moral value of their actions
Civil liberty
According to Winthrop, men are free to do only that which is just, good and honest
A Model of Christian Charity
A sermon given to the Puritan settlers by John Winthrop
His reasons for inequality:
1. To show God’s wisdom which benefits the whole
2. To allow God’s spirit to work upon his people
3. Every man has the need of others
We have responsibility to love others as ourselves; charity and self-interest can work together, he who gives the lord will repay him a hundredfold.
Little Speech on Liberty
Civil liberty is the moral Liberty Christ gave us. When we see weakness in those of authority, reflect on your own weaknesses because you chose them. If their error is due to wickedness, THEY are held accountable; if not, people bear consequence of the error. People giving advice and honoring authority will preserve Liberty.
- under natural Liberty you will always murmur under authority
- under civil liberty you will submit cheerfully for your own good
The mayflower compact
We whose names are written do solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic…
A model of Christian charity (from the slide)
For we are entered into covenant with him for this work… Now if the lord shall please to bring us in peace to the place we desire then hath he ratified this covenant, and will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it; but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles, the lord will surely break out in wrath against us.
