By Michael Hernandez
(Editor’s Note: Mayor Rob McCoy continues a free lecture series on the American Legacy this Thursday, June 13th at Godspeak Calvary, 320 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park, CA 91320 in the Village at Dos Vientos starting at 7 p.m. kicked off with a BBQ from 6-6:45 p.m. This American Legacy series re-continues a series of 20 lectures begun on Sept. 13, 2017 and is summarized in a two volume magazine set that can be obtained from History Makers International for a $15 donation. Running concurrently, is the History Makers Youth Leadership Academy for middle and high school youth which starts at 6:30 p.m.).
NEWBURY PARK—John Winthrop “used the phrase ‘City Upon a Hill’ to characterize (the Puritans) endeavor to honor a pact with God to create a holy community that would bear one another’s burdens and be bound by love…This is American exceptionalism,” said Pastor Rob McCoy at Godspeak Calvary on Sunday, June 9th.
Future governor John Winthrop stated their purpose quite clearly: “We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us” (taken from Matthew 5:13-14; Jesus discourse on believers “are the salt and light of the world.”).
The passengers of the Arbella—one of 11 ships carrying over a 1,000 Puritans to Massachussets (that year)—left England in 1630 with a new charter and a great vision. They were to be an example for the rest of the world in rightful living.
This was the largest venture ever attempted at that time to reach the English New World. The passengers were determined to be a beacon for the rest of Europe, “A Model of Christian Charity,” in the words of the governor. By the end of the 1630s, nearly 14,000 more Puritan settlers came to Massachusetts, and the colony began to spread.
(Editor’s Note: For more on the Puritans voyage see link to July 2, 2017 article written by Michael Hernandez: http:s//www.citizensjournal.us/returning-city-upon-hill-covenant-independence-day/).
Pastor McCoy spoke about both “A City Upon the Hill” and “A Model of Christian Charity” as he used a Bible text on the Parable of the Lamp taken from Luke 8:16-18 and also from Mark 4:21-25. Jesus said…”I am the light of the world” (John 9:5) “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:5).
Six U.S. presidents (including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan) have referred to the “City Upon a Hill” said McCoy who spoke about John Winthrop’s ‘Model of Christian Charity’ which speaks on “wealth for the glory of God.”
“Greeks made no distinction between government and the state and society. They never differentiated between personal life and social life,” said McCoy. “Politics is not merely an institution of governance but a mechanism for achieving societal goals. It also includes matters concerning the allocation and transfer of power, public policies and economics of society.
“Economics is derived from the Greek word ‘Oikonomia’ which means ‘household management.’ We will be our brother’s keeper. God gave us wealth to establish His Kingdom come.
McCoy called the United States “the most genuinely compassionate nation” in the world giving more than 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (Source: OECD–The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) which is almost double any other nation.
“We are our brother’s keeper and that truth will set people free,” said McCoy.
(Editor’s Note: On June 2nd, Mayor Rob McCoy spoke on the Virginia Beach shooting of May 31st which claimed the same amount of victims as the Thousand Oaks Borderline Bar and Grill shooting of Nov. 7, 2018. To see that message see link to: http:s//www.citizensjournal.us/mayor-rob-mccoy-addresses-virginia-beach-shooting/. Money for the victim families of the Virginia Beach shooting is being received by the United Way. Those wishing to donate can go to: https://www.unitedwayshr.org/vabeach. For more information on the Virginia Beach shooting go to: http://loveforvb.com/).
Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service, founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He has worked 25 years as a middle school teacher. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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Such a shame that letters to the editor at The Acorn have suggested that Pastor/Mayor McCoy is doing something unconstitutional with this program.