My curiosity was piqued because the reality is that there are many Southern Baptists who are also Freemasons. I wondered how this could be since I have heard that Masonic beliefs contradict with Christianity (read more on this by clicking here).
This bible begins with twenty pictures of King Solomon's temple and discussion of why this is important. This is followed by the image that you see below. This image shows the structure of Freemasonry. It is composed of names such as "White shrine," "Eastern star," "Sublime prince of the royal secret," "Most excellent master," and "Pontiff." There are also all sorts of different knights, princes, and chiefs mentioned.
The most troubling part of this bible comes just after the title page. The troubling section is entitled The Words of a Great Masonic Divine.
After a few paragraphs of positive comments about the bible, this section goes on to say (emphasis mine), "And yet, like everything else in Masonry, the Bible, so rich in symbolism, is itself a symbol -- that is, a part taken from the whole. It is a sovereign symbol of the Book of Faith, the Will of God as man has learned it in the midst of the years -- that perpetual revelation of himself which God is making mankind in every land and every age. Thus, by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere every book of faith in which men find help for today and hope for the morrow. Joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes oath on the Koran, and with the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best."
The Great Masonic Divine continues, "For Masonry knows, what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one -- perhaps we may say one thing, but that one thing includes everything -- the life of God in the soul of man, and the duty and hope of man which proceed from His essential character. Therefore, it invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for 'the Nameless One of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man as revealed in the struggle and sorrow of the race in its quest of God. So that, great and noble as the Bible is, Masonry sees it as a symbol of that eternal Book of the Will of God."
These direct quotes from this Freemasonry bible leave no doubt that Freemasonry and Christianity do not mix. Why is this? The above wording shows that Freemasonry is a pluralistic religion. Pluralism states that all religions are valid and lead to God in different ways. This is clearly what the above quotes indicate.
Christianity, on the other hand, is an exclusivistic religion. This means that the bible makes very clear claims that Jesus Christ alone is the sole means of salvation. No other religions are valid or lead to God (see here and here). No other religious books are the Word of God.
Since pluralism and exclusivism oppose one another, it is impossible for Freemasonry and Christianity to be reconciled. This has significant implications for churches. There are many folks who want to be both Christians and Masons. However, they can't have it both ways. No one can follow the teachings of both Jesus Christ and Freemasonry.
As oil and water do not mix, neither do Freemasonry and Christianity.
17 comments:
Eric,
Right on target!!
John,
Thanks!
Masonry certainly does not say that all religions are equal or equally valid. It leaves a man's view and choice of religion up to his own belief.
A Christian Mason believes that his salvation comes solely from his faith in Christ. Freemasonry makes no comment on salvation or where it comes from. Masonry's concern is not the salvation of souls. That belongs to religions. In lodge, however, a Mason may not criticize other faiths, or promote his own. What he does outside of lodge is his own business.
To assert that you understand what Masonry does or does not teach based on the introduction to a Bible intended as a gift for a newly raised Mason is presumptuous. There have been tens of thousands of books, articles, and tracts written on the subject over the last 300 years and that is why the subject is so difficult to study.
If what you would prefer is a world in which people who have different faiths share no congress, do not interact, do not work for the good of their communities, or explore what they have in common spiritually, by all means go ahead.
For your information, besides Masons using the allusion of the "Great Architect of the Universe" to pray to in lodge so as not to offend non-Christian members or to make it impossible for them to join, it is also against the rules for the name "Jesus" or "Christ" to be used in prayers in Congress for the same reason. Most states also follow this model.
So do the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts who only require a belief in a God, do not care about which religion the child practices, and have non-denominational prayers that do not mention Christ.
God created everyone in this world, the Chrisitian, the Hindu, the Jew, the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Wiccan, the Agnostic, the Atheist, and any other group you might mention. They are all your brothers and sisters. Why would a sane person wish to cast them out and refuse to associate with them because the do not share your belief in Christ? I know you will quote me a tired verse from the same King James Bible the Masons use.
Jesus, however, would have loved them and spent all his time among them. Not to hate them, but to tell his story. You simply wish to cast out those you disagree with.
The conservatives in the Southern Baptist Convention took their best shot at Masonry and concluded that it should be up to each individual to decided whether or not to join.
This is also Freemasonry's position and has been for 300 years.
I am a 25 year old Baptist Mason currently in seminary and proud of both my faith and my fraternity.
Jeffry,
Thank you for commenting.
I have quoted directly from a Freemason bible. You have done nothing in your comment to refute anything written by "the Great Masonic Divine."
It's clear that Masonry allows for salvation through various religions. Christianity, on the other hand, makes it abundantly clear that there is only one source of salvation - Jesus Christ.
As for not associating with people of other faiths, I never said or even implied that. I enjoy speaking with and getting to know people of other faiths. However, I will never join in worship with people of other faiths. This is because their faiths are not based on truth, which we find only in the bible.
Eric,
Check this out:
http://www.acts1711.com/mason.htm
I never cease to be amazed at just how far apparently normal Christians are prepared to stretch their definitions and understandings of what they think is compatible with being a born again believer in Christ.
Thank you for opening my eyes just that little bit further....
yours incredulously
John,
Thanks again!
Goblin,
I agree with you. It is amazing and sad just how many Christians will bend what they believe to fit some aspect of the secular culture.
Your tenacity is a gift from God. Thanks for exercising it.
It's really interesting that if you look back prior to 1980's, many of our rural pastors were Masons. It's my understanding they saw the Masonic Lodge as a harmless place to get in touch with men in the community.
Personally, I'm not for or against it as I haven't made a study of it. What I have written is based on my conversations with older pastors.
Regards,
Les
Minicks,
I hope all is going well for you at the start of a new homeschool year.
Thanks for the compliment!
Eric
Les,
My guess is that different lodges vary quite a bit in what they teach and practice. It is quite possible that while some lodges never deal with religious issues, others get into the bizarre beliefs in detail.
As with many Christians, many Masons appear to not know the core Masonic teachings, as described in this bible I found.
Thanks, Eric
Is there any place in Christianity for feminism? Or, do the Church and feminism mix? Only asking since this is a topic that many are now exploring.
TRM,
Thanks for asking your question. I'll tell you what I think the bible teaches.
The bible is clear that men and women have equal value or worth in God's sight. Regarding this, Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse refers to worth.
God has created males and females with different roles. For example, regarding marriage, God has placed the man in the leadership role. In Genesis 2, God first placed man in the garden, and then made him a "helper." In Ephesians 5, Paul writes that wives are to submit to their husbands, while husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.
Men and women are equally valued by God. At the same time, God has different roles for men and women to play.
As for secular feminism, I see no biblical evidence for this at all.
Thanks, Eric
I take it, then, that you would be opposed to, say, a women in the role of President or Vice-President, or even judge, Representative, Senator, etc.?
TRM,
Thanks for writing back.
The bible does not specifically address the positions you mention, so it is difficult to say. I would hope that a married, Christian woman would make God her first priority and her family her second. Whatever her occupation outside the home (if she has one) should come after those two.
As for Sarah Palin, I have very mixed emotions. On the one hand, I agree with many of her positions on the issues. On the other hand, I don't see how she will be able to adequately care for her family while at the same time performing all of the duties required of a Vice-president (if she and McCain are elected).
To summarize, I don't think the bible necessarily precludes a woman from serving in the positions you mentioned. However, it would be a big struggle to fulfill those duties and at the same time be a helper in the home.
If a woman is single or no longer has children at home, then it would be easier.
Did a research on the Lodge when in college. My father, a Baptist preacher, always mentioned the difficulties encountered in a local church when a deacon or a trustee were also a Lodge member. Found out through reading original Masonic works and interviewing a Scottish Rite Mason just how they relate to their local churches. The Lodge comes first, preference is given to a Lodge brother over needy church members (all things being equal). I understood the theological differences, but other alliances also have their hooks in the hearts of these men as well.
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