| Why are you against Masons? |
Added: May-4-04 |
Question/Comment: Why are you against the Masons? They do good works and reverence God and use the Bible. I Think you are wrong. Answer: There are a lot of honest, upstanding men who belong to the Masonic Lodge. I am not against these men, I am for them. It's kinda like loving the sinner, but despising the sin. I am for them because I purpose to tell them the truth when their own organization will not do so. I am opposed to the system of Freemasonry because it has deceived so many; those who have been duped by the search of a false light (II Corinthians 11:14-15). The Bible plainly states that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12), yet every individual, Christian or not, who comes to the doors of the Lodge seeking membership is said to be in darkness and in search of light. In the First Degree or Apprentice Degree introduction, after three (3) distinct knocks on the door, the Senior Deacon says, "Who comes here?" The Junior Deacon (speaking for the initiate) replies:
"Rev [J. Jenkins], who has long been in darkness, and now seeks to be brought to light, and to receive a part in the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge, erected to God and dedicated to the Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done before." (Ronayne's Handbook of Freemasonry pg. 57 (my emphasis).
The sad fact is, many ministers and laymen alike are members of this organization while holding positions in the Church. The Bible tells them who the Light is, His name is Jesus, but Jesus is not the focal point of Freemasonry. In fact, Jesus is esteemed no differently then Buddha, Mohammed, or any other religious icon. On page 525 of Albert Pike's Morals & Dogma (written for the 33rd degree of Freemasonry) we find this:
"It (Masonry) reverences all the great reformers. It sees in Moses, the Lawgiver of the Jews, in Confucius and Zoroaster, in Jesus of Nazareth, and in the Arabian Iconoclast (Mohammed), Great Teachers of Morality and Eminent Reformers, if no more: and allows every brother of the Order to assign to each such higher and even Divine Character as his Creed and Truth require." (my parenthetics).
To the Christian this would say, "Jesus was a Great Teacher of Morality and an Eminent Reformer, if no more. You may assign to him Divine Character, if you desire, but we (Freemasonry) do not. The Bible teaches that to deny Jesus is not the denial of His existence, per se, but the denial of His authority. In I John we find that "Whosoever denieth the Son (Jesus as Christ), the same hath not the Father" (I John 2:23).
About their use of the Bible: The Bible is nothing more than a piece of furniture for the Lodge and only used as a symbol. Although Lodge practice applies many Scriptures to "Masonic Principle," only those passages used in a universal manner are borrowed. Being a non-sectarian Order means that certain Scriptures used, by natural course, must omit phrases mentioning Jesus by name (regular or well-governed Lodge). Adherence by men of different religious backgrounds means that the Bible is truly and indispensable object. In Albert Pike's book, Morals & Dogma page 11, we find this concerning the Bible:
"The Bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Christian Lodge, only because it is the sacred book of the Christian religion. The Hebrew Pentateuch in a Hebrew Lodge, and the Koran in the Mohammedan one, belong on the Altar; and one of these, and the Square and Compass, properly understood, are the Great Lights by which a Mason must walk."
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, (Mackey - McClenachan) under the heading "Bible:"
"The Bible is used among Masons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed. And, therefore, whatever to any people expressed that will may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge."
It becomes evident that having a holy book on the altar, regardless of religion, is there for one major reason: there must be a sacred article present by which one is sworn, in order to keep his Masonic oath binding -- The Bible included. This is done in order that it would appear to the initiate, Christian or otherwise, that he is trespassing his own personal faith should he break his Masonic Oath (These oaths are blood oaths). Ezekiel 21:23; Zechariah 5:3-4; Jeremiah 23:10, to mention only a few biblical references, warn of swearing or binding oneself by oath. New Testament warning also persist in expressing the evil of swearing oaths: Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12. The oaths of the Mason contain the use of God's name in the midst of impending penalties; this is to use His name in vain (Exodus 20:7).
Another reason I am appalled by Freemasonry is that it deceives its adherents. Speaking of the "Blue Degrees" (The First Three Degrees), we find this in Morals & Dogma, pg. 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."
The Blue Degrees are referred by many Masons who readily wish it so, as the "Christian Degrees." According to the above, intentional lying is cunningly trickled down to inferior degree personnel who have been conditioned mentally to believe and accept it as truth. (And this is called integrity?!) To lower degree members these false interpretations appear as truth, making them near impossible to reach with Christian principles which contradict Freemasonry.
Masonry holds many forms of godliness. Morals & Dogma, page 540 states:
"The history of Masonry is the history of Philosophy."
On page 691 we find:
"Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning yet never arriving at the ideal perfection of truth."
This statement should have a familiar ring to Christians, for under the authority of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul warned Timothy of those who would have a "form" of godliness, but deny the power, they are "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (II Timothy 3:7).
What is really amazing is the fact that Masonry ushers a Salvation by works right under the noses of men who are members of churches which deny Salvation by works. These men are living contradictions. Here is a quote from the Masonic funeral:
"This Mason was true to all our teachings, and the apron he now wears in the casket represents that purity of life and conduct by which he will now gain admission into the Celestial Lodge above."
This clearly reflects that a Mason enters "heaven" by following Lodge teaching and living a pure life, or by doing good works. This principle applies whether the Mason professes to be a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu or whatever.
Again, I am for the Mason, but against the system that has deceived him. The Bible states:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will recieve you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Corinthians 6:17-18).
For a full explanation see my book, "The Masonic Christian Conflict Explained."