Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” described the formation of a new society by Puritan settlers. The work is often used to demonstrate the status of the United States as the leading nation. Winthrop demonstrates that Puritan made a covenant with God to establish a true Christian community, in which wealthy population do charity and not exploit the poor. This essay argues that in Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity”, religious references are used to demonstrate social relationship between people and the role of charity in a true Christian community.
Winthrop begins his work with proclamation about social inequality and why God allows such inequality to exist. In a Christian community, there should be difference in population. He states that “some must be rich, some poore, some highe and eminent in power and dignity” as with social inequality God “holds conformity” (173). God does not provide miracles, such as feeding the poor and providing shelter for homeless people. This is why Winthrop writes that “every am might have need of other, and form hence they might be all knitt more nearly together in the Bonds of brotherly affection” (173). Here, Winthrop refers to brotherhood notion of Christian society that every man should be kind to each other and not harm. Moreover, he states that “There is a time when a Christian must sell all and give to the poor, as they did in the Apostles’ times” (178). By such religious references Winthrop shows the importance of charity and compassion in the Christian community. He could effectively link exhibition of charity and God’s blessing by saying that “If thy brother be in want and thou canst help him, thou needst not make doubt of what thou shouldst do; if thou lovest God thou must help him” (174). If an individual practice charity he will be benefited from God’s service and also provide good for the general population.
Moreover, Winthrop emphasizes specific rules for a community that lives together through using religious references. He points out that the Christian community is a single body in which every individual serves to the benefit of the whole. This can be seen in his writing that about parts of the community, “mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain” (179). Here, the members of a community should be focused to accomplish a common goal which is to serve God. Furthermore, Winthrop uses Adam and Eve biblical reference to illustrate how the Christian community serve as a single system that is connected by a “ligament of love” (180). Being a good Christian is associated with the success of the whole community. Winthrop applies many quotes from the Bible to show the bonds that link Christians to each other, illustrating how religion influence the relationship among the society.
Following the rules for the new society that strictly holds Christian traditions and God’s will, Winthrop writes the expectations from the community regarding its function. He showed how individuals should approach each other. Christian community should be united by “bond of love” despite of people’s difference in socioeconomic conditions. Due to such bond and a common goal of serving God, Winthrop proposes that the Christian community should have high standards for its members when following established rules and laws. He provides the example of Saul’s commission to destroy Amaleck to show that the community has a special commission of God (182). Rules and laws of the community should be strictly followed, if not, God will severely punish the community. Winthrop clearly demonstrates that the role of laws in a newly established society is vital to sustain its function. For example, he wrote that “the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, and be revenged of such a people, and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant” (180). Furthermore, Winthrop also points out that not only God monitors the new society but the rest of the world by saying that the society will stand out as “a city upon a hill” (183). As such, through religious references, Winthrop demonstrates how a community that serves God should act and function upon their rules and laws.
To conclude, “A Model of Christian Charity” written by Winthrop provides a look on a true Christian community. The new society established by Puritan serves God and acts upon the interests of God. Winthrop uses various religious references, such as biblical tales and quotes from verses to show how a Christian society should act to reach a greater good. He addresses the question of social inequality, examining why God does not give miracles for all people. Moreover, Winthrop writes the expectations from a true Christian community and its members in their interaction with each other, Specifically, the themes charity and compassion are presented as means for getting God’s blessing. Winthrop also proclaims that a true Christian society should act as a single body in which every part work upon the benefit of the whole.
Work Cited
Winthrop, John. “A Modell of Christian Charity (1630).” From the Collections of the MA Historical Society (Boston, 1838), 3rd series 7:31-48).