God and 9/11 

Today: background

Tuesday: the story

   In 1630 John Winthrop, a lawyer, led a group of colonists from England to settle in Massachusetts Bay. This was the second colony, following Plymouth. The Mayflower had come to shore here. 

   Winthrop had a vision for this new civilization: a city on a hill - a metaphor for a society lifted up - the glory of God, light for the world. He was governor of the colony for 12 of its first 20 years. His island in the Bay is called Governor's Island. 

   He encouraged people to follow the ways of God, thereby enjoying the blessings offered to ancient Israel - peace, safety, prosperity, power, preeminence...a model of Christian charity. 

   Knowing human nature, Winthrop warned them of consequences, as Moses warned his people in Deuteronomy chapter 28. He ended his vision:

   "Beloved, there is now set before us life and death, good and evil, in that we are commanded this day to love the Lord our God, and to love one another, to walk in his ways... Therefore, let us choose life."

   Meanwhile, more immigrants settled lower Manhattan, which became the foundation of America's power. Later, Washington, D.C. became the nation's political and military brain trust. 

   Moses' emphatic words ultimately were not heeded. In the year 2001, how many American politicians, justices, educators, entertainers, media, military, industry and tech giants shared the vision of John Winthrop?

Tomorrow: the story

      Jimmy