The biblical verse for the “City on the Hill”, is Matthew 5: 14. This is where Jesus says to those willing to follow his teaching, “You are the light of world. A city set on a hill, cannot be hidden.” Regan’s idea of America as a “Shining” beacon comes from and the verse following it. “15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, let your light shine before others, … .
Another context is the verse, which precedes it. Here Jesus’ followers lose their character or taste if they refuse to attempt to follow his teaching. Note what happens to value of such people. “13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Another context of the metaphor of the “City” is it came how into America’s folklore. In 1630, Governor John Winthrop gave a lay sermon on board the Arbella. This ship contained the first Puritan arrivals to Massachusetts Bay Colony. His sermon was entitled, “A Model of Christian Charity”. And in it he said, “For we must consider that we shall be as a ‘City upon a hill.’” The next phrase he used shows that for his message the words following the phrase a “City on a hill” , cannot be hidden were the key. For John Winthrop then warned, “The eyes of all people are upon us.”
But let’s look briefly at the whole of Winthrop’s sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity”. The Governor starts by observing the presence of rich and poor. Next he presents a dense argument, supported by many scriptural citations, that those, who are more fortunate, are called by God to support the needy. He asserts the degree of support will vary according to circumstances but be ever present. He ends with a dire warning.
“… If our hearts shall turn away (from “Christian Charity), … and worship … our pleasure and profits, and serve them; … we shall surely perish. … ”
What insights can we apply to today ‘s politics from what we have learned about the biblical and historical context of the “City on a hill”? Each context involves social compacts. Today we are examining how to fund in the long term our social compacts. The way Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are treated will reflect how we honor our commitments. If the ideals of the “Shining City on the Hill”, fairness and generosity, are true for all Americans we will defend the social safety net. And for American believers, we will realize that the eyes of God are watching.
