A Topic For Discussion: Christians and Freemasonry. It has always bothered me how a Christian can associate himself with Freemasonry. Following is what Masons believe about their source of authority, God, Jesus Christ, sin, and salvation & future life: 1. SOURCE OF AUTHORITY. Masons refer to the Bible as the "Volume of the Sacred Law", and it is considered an indispensable part of what is called "the furniture" in a Masonic Lodge. But the Bible is used only in a so-called "Christian" lodge----the Hebrew Pentateuch is used in a Hebrew lodge, the Koran in a Mohammedan lodge, the Vedas in a Brahmin lodge, etc. Jim Shaw, a former 33rd degree Mason, says that Masonry is not based on the Bible, but on the Kabala, a medieval book of mysticism and magic. Masons do not adjust their beliefs to fit the Bible, the Bible is adjusted to fit their beliefs. A Mason's loyalty is never to God but to the Lodge. Masonic authority Henry Wilson Coil, has concluded that: "The prevailing Masonic opinion is that the Bible is only a symbol of Divine Will, Law, or Revelation, and not that its contents are Divine Law, inspired, or revealed. 2. GOD. Masons require one to believe in God to be a member, but the candidate is never required to say what god he believes in----"Masonry requires merely that you believe in some deity, give him what name you will.....any god will do, so he is your god" (Little Masonic Library, Macoy Publishing, 1977, 4:32) Masons commonly refer to their deity as the "Great Architect of the Universe", but can also be further described as Grand Artificer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Above, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Great Geometer. Masons claim that the actual name for God has been lost. 3. JESUS CHRIST. The name of Christ is seldom referred to in Masonic literature, apparently due to Masons not wanting to offend their non-Christian members. When quoting from the Bible, references to Christ are omitted, and generally prayer is never allowed to be offered in the name of Jesus Christ. Clearly, Freemasonry does not believe that Jesus Christ is God, nor that salvation is available only through Him. Freemasonry then, is a religion without a Savior. At the heart of Masonry is a secret Luciferian doctrine which a Mason only comes to understand as he reaches higher levels. The apostle John warned that those who deny that Jesus is the only, all sufficient Christ, and that He came once and for all in the flesh, have embraced the spirit of Antichrist (1 Jn 4:1-3) 4. SIN. Sin is seldom referred to in Masonic literature. Masons think that any "shortcomings" can be overcome by greater enlightenment. Yet in attaining the degree of Master Mason, the symbolism implies that a person is redeemed from the death of sin and sin's pollution. The reality of sin in the Biblical sense is denied. 5. SALVATION AND FUTURE LIFE. Masons think that salvation refers to being brought from the material to the spiritual. Masons believe that the degree of Master Mason is symbolical of old age, which allows a person to happily reflect on a well-spent life and to "die in the hope of a glorious immortality." Because they deny the reality of sin, Masons see no need of salvation in the Biblical sense. They see salvation as a step-by-step enlightenment, which comes through initiation into the Masonic degrees and their mysteries. In the 19th degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, the initiate is told that attachment to Masonry's "statutes and rules of order" will make him "deserving of entering the celestial Jerusalem[heaven]." In the 28th degree, he is told that "the true Mason [is one] who raises himself by degrees till he reaches heaven" and that one of his duties is "To divest [him]self of original sin..." Masons clearly teach a salvation by works, or character development, not a salvation by faith in Christ alone. The Bible clearly teaches we cannot work our way to salvation. We need to work out the salvation that is in us when we accept Jesus Christ by faith through grace.
What really bothers me is that Southern Baptists and Methodists make up the majority of Masons. Much, much more could be written on the fallacies of Freemasonry. This just touches the surface. Any thoughts or discussion on this topic?
What really bothers me is that Southern Baptists and Methodists make up the majority of Masons. Much, much more could be written on the fallacies of Freemasonry. This just touches the surface. Any thoughts or discussion on this topic?