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Introduction:
In this lesson, we will devote our time to two questions.
Both of which came from the same person and both of which have to
do with the same topic. “Can a Christian be a member of a Masonic Lodge? Why do some think this
is a non-issue?”
I must
begin by saying that I realize this question may be inflammatory
to some. For all I know there may be some present tonight who are
members of this congregation and also members of a local Masonic
Lodge. For all I know there may have already been some heated
discussions regarding this topic between brethren and hard
feelings already raised. However, even though that may be the
case, I believe this is a question that ought to be answered and
ought to be answered publicly. I ask everyone, no matter your
opinion on this question, to please listen carefully. If, by the
time I am done, you do not agree with me, please, let’s get
together and study this further. Discussion: I.
Allow me to begin by explaining what I am not going to do
and what I am going to do. A.
I
am not going to discuss the sinister accusations against the
Masons. I was absolutely amazed when I decided to do an internet
search regarding Freemasonry. I found sites that ranged from
extremely supportive to extremely opposed. I found sites claiming
that Masonry is no more than a group of men wanting to help one
another be nice and do good deeds. I also found sites accusing the
Masons of everything from Presidential assassination to Satanism
to political conspiracy for world domination. Frankly, many of the
accusations I found to be laughable. Some were perhaps not so
laughable. But those accusations are not the real issue. B.
I
am not going to argue over whether or not Freemasonry is a
religion or just a religious institution.
As I have examined writings for and against Masonry, the debate
often centers on whether or not Masonry is a competing religion.
The opponents of Masonry claim that it is. The supporters of
Masonry claim it is just a secular organization that is religious.
Frankly, this whole argument is wrangling over words. I Timothy 6:4 demonstrated that we ought to steer clear of these
kinds of arguments. Therefore, I plan to stay away from this
argument. C.
I
am not going to discuss who have been Masons, whether they have
been good or bad men.
Those who oppose Masons like to delineate all the Masons they can
find who have done bad things, including murder, theft and
conspiracy. Those who support Masonry are quick to point out all
the good people who have been Masons, including preachers,
politicians and even founding fathers of our nation. These
arguments prove nothing for either side. D.
I
am not going to make a great deal of noise claiming that most
Masons have no idea what Masonry is all about.
Albert Pike, a Grand Commander of Masonry, by the authority of the
Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree, for the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States wrote a huge work entitled Morals
and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
In this work, Pike made some assertions about Masonry which its
opponents have used widely and which it supporters have had to do
double back flips to get out of. One of which can be found on pp.
104-105. Masonry,
like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and
Alchemy, conceals its
secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and
uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to
mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth,
which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it.
Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it,
or would pervert it. … So Masonry jealously conceals its
secrets, and intentionally leads conceited interpreters astray. Another
of which can be found on p. 819. The
Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the Temple.
Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is
intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended
that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall
imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved
for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry. The whole body of the
Royal and Sacerdotal Art was hidden so carefully, centuries since,
in the High Degrees, as that it is even yet impossible to solve
many of the enigmas which they contain. It is well enough for the
mass of those called Mason, to imagine that all is contained in
the Blue Degrees; and whoso attempts to undeceive them will labor
in vain, and without any true reward violate his obligations as an
Adept. The
Blue Degrees are the first three degrees of Masonry—Entered
Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and Master Mason. The “mass of those
called Mason” never get beyond these degrees—as indicated by
Pike. While I certainly believe that anyone who is in Masonry
needs to deal honestly with these quotes, I also recognize that
most who defend Masonry have figured out ways to deny them. Of
course, they may believe the statements and be lying as the
statements say they should and will. But how can I, a non-Mason,
unravel what is the truth in that case? I cannot. But we will not
spend our time with these statements, because we do not have to.
We can answer our question by looking within the confines of the
Blue Degrees, by considering what a Christian must agree to and
state to be accepted even within these lower degrees. E.
I
am going to provide four aspects of Masonry that demonstrate a
Christian cannot be involved in Masonry.
I will do this by quoting from the Tennessee
Craftsman or Masonic Textbook[1],
used by lodges here in Tennessee and considered authoritative. I
will have one quote from the Kentucky Monitor. I will use two quotes from
www.masonicinfo.com, a website defending Masonry. Finally, I will
use one quote from the FAQ website for the Tennessee Grand Lodge. II.
Four aspects of Masonry that demonstrate a Christian cannot
be involved in Masonry. A.
The
Institution and Brotherhood that is Masonry. 1.
“Freemasonry is a
beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated
by symbols. Although its origin is covered with darkness and its
history is, to a great extent, obscure, yet we can confidently
assert that it is the most ancient society in the world. Its
principles are based on pure morality; its doctrines those of
patriotism and brotherly love; its sentiments those of exalted
benevolence. All that is good and kind and charitable it
encourages, and all that is vicious and cruel and oppressive it
reprobates. “The
forms and ceremonies of this Institution have come down to us
through a succession of ages, and are all designed to impress upon
the mind wise and serious truths, and to make men wiser, better
and therefore happier. “Masonry
possesses great and invaluable privileges, and in order to secure
those privileges to worthy men alone, voluntary pledges of Fidelity
are required of each of its initiates” (Tennessee Craftsman, pp 8-9). 2.
“A lodge is an
assemblage of Masons, duly congregated, having the Holy Bible,
Square, and Compasses, and a Charter or Warrant authorizing them
to work” (TC,
p 18). 3.
“There is no
Symbolic Light in the North, because King Solomon’s Temple, of
which every Lodge is a representation …” (TC, p 25). 4.
“So to commemorate
the work of creation King Solomon’s Temple was seven years in
building, and in the seventh year was completed and dedicated to
the worship of GOD” (TC,
p 48). 5.
“Mountains and
other high places were almost always considered holy, and
peculiarly appropriate for religious purposes. We have abundant
evidence in Scripture that the Jews were accustomed to worship on
the tops of the highest hills, as it was believed that sacrifices
offered from these elevated places were most acceptable to the
Deity. “It
is not improbable that our ancient brethren, before they had more
convenient places of meeting, held their Lodges on hills, or in
valleys, or in retired groves” (TC,
p 20). 6.
“CHARGE AT CLOSING “Brethren:
We are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and
virtue, to mix again with the world. Whilst busied in its
concerns, let us not forget that around this sacred altar we have
repeatedly promised to relieve, protect, and vindicate each other.
Let us, therefore, be diligent, prudent, and circumspect in our
respective callings, that by liberal benevolence and diffusive
charity we may discover to the world the happy effects of this
ancient and honorable Institution” (TC, pp 3-4). 7.
“On this principle
[Brotherly Love] Masonry unites men of every country, sect and
opinion, and is conducive to true friendship among those who might
otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance” (TC,
p 30). 8.
“No institution
was ever established on nobler principles, nor were ever more
excellent rules and maxims laid down, than are inculcated in the
several Masonic Lectures” (TC,
p 35). 9.
Having heard what the Tennessee Masons have to say about
the institution and brotherhood which is Masonry, how could any
Christian be a part of such an organization? This is an
organization which claims to be separate from the world, claiming
a set apart status as does Christ’s church. Masons are supposed
to behave properly, not so people can learn to glorify God, but so
people can see how great the Masonic organization is. While
Masonry wants its members to maintain their membership in their
respective churches, it also claims to be an organization greater
than any of their churches—including Christ’s church.
Considering Hebrews
12:22-24, how can we who have come to such a church, also go
to an organization that claims superiority over Christ’s body?
We cannot. B.
The
God of Masonry. 1.
“THE CANDIDATE’S
ASSENT IS REQUIRED TO THE FOLLOWING DECLARATIONS: “Do
you seriously declare upon your honor, that you believe in a
Supreme Being to whom all men are accountable? “Answer.
I do” (TC,
p 6). 2.
“PRAYERS AT
OPENING “Great
Architect of the Universe, in Thy name we have assembled and in
Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the
sublime principles of Freemasonry may so subdue every discordant
passion within us; so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine
own love and goodness; that the Lodge at this time may humbly
reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before Thy
throne. Amen” (TC,
p 1). 3.
“On this principle
[Brotherly Love] Masonry unites men of every country, sect and
opinion, and is conducive to true friendship among those who might
otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance” (TC,
p 30). 4.
“Masonic
detractors claim that the God of Freemasonry is GAOTU. These
initials are simply an acronym for ‘Grand Architect of the
Universe’ (sometimes in the past referred to in the more ancient
term of Grand Artificer). Again, because Freemasonry specifies no
particular religious belief but encourages its members to follow
the beliefs of their own religion, prayers in lodge may refer to
the Grand Architect of the Universe. Members are free to
mentally insert the name they wish in its stead…We do not
discuss individual's religious beliefs on this site but merely
point out that if a Mason believes that every prayer should be
addressed to Jesus, Mary, Allah, or in some other way as
represented by his religion, he is free to do so. The Grand
Architect of the Universe is God and to claim that Masons somehow
worship someone or something else is obfuscation at best and a
heinous lie at worst” (www.masonicinfo.com). 5.
“The term ‘Great
Architect of the Universe’ (or ‘Grand Architect of the
Universe’) is used to permit a more generic worship to the
Supreme Being of all present. All Masons understand this concept
and when prayers are offered in their lodge, they understand that
regardless of the person speaking the words or the manner of
prayer of others present, the prayer is addressed to their
Supreme Being” (www.masonicinfo.com). 6.
The god of Masonry, is not, as they claim, God. He is a
made up deity that is somehow supposed to represent deity for men
from “every country, sect and opinion.” Muslim, Hindu and
Christian are supposedly able to gather and pray to the same God,
inserting any name they may choose. But notice carefully it is
only inserting a name. The assertion of Masonry is that the deity
is the same no matter which name one personally inserts.
Additionally, the assertion of Masons in the prayers with which
they open their meetings is that they are meeting in the name of
this made up god and everything they do is done in the name of
this god. Keep in mind, when Aaron molded the golden calf he said
to the Israelites, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you
out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus
32:4)! Just because Aaron said it was the same god as Jehovah,
did not make it so. Just because Masons claim their god is the
same god as Jehovah, does not make it so. 7.
Further, lest anyone claim that in their particular lodge,
everyone is “Christian” and so they all have the proper
understanding of Jehovah God, keep in mind Ancient Landmark #8 of
the Tennessee Craftsman: “8: That when a man becomes a
Mason, he not only acquires membership in the particular Lodge
that admits him, but, in a general sense, he becomes one of the
whole Masonic family.” 8.
Ephesians
4:6
says there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.” How can a Christian who is
submitting to this one God and Father claim to do something in the
name of a made-up god who supposedly embodies everyone’s concept
of deity? We cannot. C.
The
Redeemer and Salvation in Masonry. 1.
Lecture to the new
Entered Apprentice: “You have this night commenced the great
task, which in your future Masonic life should never be
discontinued, that of erecting in your heart a temple for the
indwelling of God. May each new duty which you learn and perform,
and each new virtue which you practice become living stones in
that spiritual, moral, and Masonic temple of your life” (TC, pp 13-14). 2.
“The Lambskin
[apron] is an emblem of innocence, and is esteemed the peculiar
badge of a Mason” (TC,
p 10). 3.
“This apron, my
brother, is symbolic of that spotless white robe of purity in
which all must be clothed who enter the blissful abode of the
blest…If you wear it without soil or blemish, you will be
received at the pearly gates of heaven and there be presented with
the pure white robe of righteousness, which will glisten in
brightness, increasing in glory even unto the perfect day” (TC,
pp 60-61). 4.
Following the ceremony in which the candidate for Master
Mason represented Hiram Abiff in a dramatic retelling of the
Masonic legend of Hiram Abiff, the new Master Mason is told: “Then
let us imitate the good man, whom you have this evening
represented, in his virtuous and amiable conduct; in his unfeigned
piety to God; in his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that we may
welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger
sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this
imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge
above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides” (TC,
p 102). 5.
“All antiquity
solved the enigma of the existence of evil by supposing the
existence of a Principle of Evil, of demons, fallen angels, an
Ahriman, a Typhon, a Siva, a Loki, or a Satan, that, first falling
themselves, and plunged into misery and darkness, tempted man to
his fall and brought sin into the world. All believed in a future
life, to be attained by purification and trials; in a state or
successive states of reward and punishment; and in a Mediator or
Redeemer, by whom the Evil Principle was to be overcome and the
Supreme Deity reconciled to His creatures. The belief was general
that He was to be born of a virgin and suffer a painful death. The
Hindus called him Krishna; the Chinese, Kioun-tse; the Persians,
Sosiosch; the Chaldeans, Dhouvanai; the Egyptians, Horus; Plato,
Love; the Scandinavians, Balder; the Christians, Jesus; Masons,
Hiram” (Kentucky
Monitor, “The Spirit of Masonry”, 13th
edition, 1921, pp xiv-xv). 6.
A Mason can be saved by being a good Mason. When a man
starts his journey in Masonry, he is told that he has then started
to make himself a dwelling place of God. If this man was a
Christian, why did he not start making himself that when he was
baptized into Christ (Galatians
3:26-29)? If the man is not a Christian, then starting his
Masonic journey has not done anything to help him be the temple of
God. Finally, knowing that the Bible says there is only one Lord (Ephesians
4:5) and only one in whose name we can be saved, Jesus Christ
(Acts 4:12), how can a
Christian be a part of an organization that claims Hiram Abiff is
the redeemer for Masons and following in his footsteps saves? Hope
is offered to a Mason through wearing his apron, the peculiar
badge of a Mason, with purity? What about the Mason who is not a
Christian? What about the Christian who is not a Mason? How can a
Christian be a part of an organization that offers hope of
salvation to those who have no hope, just because they are Masons
(Ephesians 4:4)? A Christian cannot be a Mason. D.
The
Scripture of Masonry. 1.
“The Holy Bible is
given us as the rule and guide of our faith and practice …” (TC,
p 10). 2.
“The Holy
Bible points out the path which leads to happiness, and is
dedicated to God, because it is the inestimable gift of God to man
…” (TC, p 23). 3.
“The Holy
Writings, that great light of Masonry, will guide you to all
truth; it will direct your paths to the temple of happiness, and
point out to you the whole duty of man” (TC, p 117). 4.
“41. Are Holy
Bibles displayed in the Lodge Hall? “Yes.
In the United States this is usually the Holy Bible, but in other
countries it is the book of the predominant religion. When a
person becomes a Mason, the book of his faith is used in the
ritual” (www.korrnet.org/fam/gl-qfa.htm; FAQ used for Tennessee
Masons Grand Lodge, prepared by Vision 2013 Committee with Bob
Demott, Grand Historian). 5.
“No institution
was ever established on nobler principles, nor were ever more
excellent rules and maxims laid down, than are inculcated in the
several Masonic Lectures. They are all derived from the sacred
volume which you have been taught to regard as the inestimable
gift of God to man, and as the rule and guide of your faith and
practice” (TC, p 35). 6.
The following is stated at a funeral service for a Mason
conducted by Masons: “Let
us resolve to maintain, with greater sincerity, the dignified
character of our profession, and study the precepts of our order,
which is founded upon the great moral principles set forth in the
sacred volume, which we receive as the rule and guide of our faith
and practice, and to which every person may look for comfort and
consolation in the hour of affliction” (TC, p 181). 7.
“The great
principles of moral truth and moral government which are unfolded
in this and the preceding degrees originated in the Divine
Mind…These principles were breathed into the ear of Adam…They
were delivered by the Almighty himself to Moses amidst the awful
thunders and vivid flashes of Sinai, and they are constantly
whispered in our ears in a still, small voice, and in language all
may comprehend” (TC, p 103). 8.
“Almighty God, we
thank Thee that amid all the labor and turmoil, the perplexity and
the apparent confusion of life, Thou has not left us to wander
unguided and alone, but hast set up ancient landmarks to guide us
in Thy ways. Thou hast given us the Great Light to illuminate our
path” (TC,
p 179). 9.
“The following are
given as the landmarks, in the proper sense of that term, and as
it is admitted that they have always been in force, that they
involve essential principles, are unchangeable, unless the form
and essence of the Institution be altered; they are properly
designated ‘The Ancient
Landmarks of Masonry’” (TC,
p190). This
statement is followed by 15 statements that are to govern the
lives of every Mason. We referred to #8 earlier in this lesson. 10.
How can a Christian be a part of an organization that pays
homage to the Bible as a holy book among holy books? While telling
Christians that Masonry is based on the sacred volume we receive
causes us to look toward the Bible, the same thing said to the
Muslim Mason, causes him to look to the Koran. These books do not
say the same thing. Which one is really the basis for Masonry? Or
is it some other book? Or is it some conglomeration of books and
religious ideals through history trying to combine the world
religions into one? If Masonry is based on the Bible, then why
does it look like Masonry and why doesn’t it look like the
church we see instituted in the Bible? Finally, when we see all
that the Masons say about what guides them into truth, we find out
that everything they say about the Bible is just a smokescreen.
They believe they are continuing to receive revelation from God as
He whispers in their ears. Additionally, they add to whatever
sacred book they might use with their “Ancient Landmarks,”
which supposedly guides them in God’s ways. All this
conglomeration of sacred books, continuing revelation and
Landmarks are supposedly the rule and guide of their faith, but
the Bible says there is only one faith (Ephesians 4:5). The Bible says that God’s word is truth (John
17:17), not the conglomeration of what everyone in the world
believes is from God. How can a Christian be a part of this? We
cannot. III.
Our second question: “Why do some think this is a
non-issue?” A.
This is not a Bible question. I cannot go to the Bible and
explain why every individual who believes this is a non-issue
feels that way. I can make some educated guesses. 1.
I can guess that some think it is a non-issue because all
they know about Masonry is that some really nice men are Masons.
They also see that Masons are involved in a lot of charity work.
Since that is all they see, they view the whole discussion as a
non-issue. 2.
I can guess that others think it is a non-issue because
they have attempted to sort it all out. However, they found so
much contradictory information that they gave up in utter
confusion and decided to leave the issue up to others or to
people’s personal conscience. 3.
I can guess that some think it is a non-issue because they
have believed the smokescreens put forth by those who would defend
Masonry. 4.
I can guess that some think it is a non-issue because they
have heard some of the outlandish claims against Masonry and,
thinking that those claims are absurd, all claims against Masonry
must be absurd. 5.
I can guess that some think it is a non-issue because they
have succumbed to the religious tolerance of the world that says
we should not stand up and separate ourselves from that which is
false. 6.
Finally, I can guess that some think it is a non-issue
because they simply prefer not to think about any issues that
might upset other people. B.
I can say this. Masonry is not a non-issue. I do not have
to believe all the bad press Masonry has received from its
opponents to realize that Christians cannot be members of the
Masonic Lodge. In order to be a member of the Lodge, Christians
are supposed to accept and believe teachings which are in absolute
discordance with Christianity as revealed in the Bible. In the
same way that a Christian cannot be a Mormon, a Jehovah’s
Witness or a member of the American Atheists, a Christian cannot
be a Mason. C.
I am not saying that Masons are bad men wholly wrapped up
in evil or that Masonry is a diabolical and sinister organization.
I am simply saying that the principles of Masonry’s universal
approach to the church, God, Jesus and the Bible is fundamentally
opposed to Christianity as revealed in the New Testament. Conclusion: I certainly hope this lesson has been helpful. As I said earlier, if you do not agree with me, let’s get together and study further. If I am speaking to any Masons this evening, please, accept the command of the Lord in II Corinthians 6:14-18, come out from among them and be separate. There is no greater institution than the Lord’s body. There is no God but Jehovah God. There is no Lord and Redeemer other than Jesus Christ. There is no truth other than God’s word. Be content with what God has given us and do not seek after manmade fraternal religious organizations.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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