Background
Masonry is, or becomes, many things to many people. It is an organization in which camaraderie exists – even flourishes, and friendships are cultivated. It is a place where social needs of involvement and acceptance are met. It is furthermore a place where worthwhile civic projects are undertaken to the benefit of local communities and often the shame of local churches.
But masonry also functions as a Para-church organization. In other words, A RELIGION.
If that is a true statement, and from masonry’s own literature we will prove that it is, then the religious doctrines should be identified (some would say exposed) and understood by would-be Masons before committing to membership.
You would not join a Lutheran church if you believe in baptism by immersion, nor would you align with the Roman Catholic Church if you don’t accept their teaching on the role of Mary. So the only conclusion one can draw of those involved in Masonry is that they either don’t know that Freemasonry is a religion and are unaware of its doctrines, or they do know and support them. It is this writer’s belief, based on the archaic and often difficult-to-understand Masonic literature, that most Masons don’t know. It is to this group that this paper is addressed, particularly to that sub-group who name the name of Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Most of the quotations addressed herein are from the book by Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma, first published in 1871 and reprinted in October 1949. This book is considered by Freemasonry to be one of the most comprehensive and authoritative books on Freemasonry. The format of What’s Wrong is to present one or more teachings of Masonry, followed by teachings from Scripture on the same topic, followed by this writer’s comments. Admittedly, it is the goal of this paper to uncover some of the secrecy surrounding Masonry and to bring under the searching, penetrating light of God’s Word enough of the false teachings of Masonry to cause Christian Masons to awake from their ignorance or apathy and turn to following Christ only; and that in a new and fresh way based on an understanding of Scripture and a commitment to do what it says.
You will find that many of the quotes presented here will not make any sense; they will seem to be religious sounding gobbledygook. But I promise you, I have not doctored them in any way. They are exactly as published in Masonic literature.
Since all repudiation of Masonry’s teachings is based solely on the teachings of the Holy Bible, not this writer’s opinions, those not accepting the Bible as totally inspired by God, inerrant and infallible, may disagree with the Scripture chosen to defend Christianity and need not read any further. But for the sincere seeker of truth, which the Bible teaches is found only in Jesus Christ, I believe the following will prove
beyond a doubt that Masonry is not only a religion, but claims to be the source of all religion (“Masonry, when properly expounded, is at once the interpretation of the great book of nature, the recital of physical and astronomical phenomena, the purest philosophy, and the place of deposit, where, as in a Treasury, are kept in safety all the great truths of primitive revelation, that form the basis of all religion.”),[1] and since it does not limit its beliefs to those taught in Scripture, or teach all that Scripture teaches, including the fact that belief in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is the only way to Heaven, must therefore be a false religion – or a cult.
Masons are, for the most part, good people. But it is upon this goodness and not the substitutionary blood of Jesus Christ that they base their hope of eternal life. You will see from the excerpts from Pike’s book that Freemasonry teaches…
- Man’s goodness[2]
- Confucius, Buddha, etc. are equal to Jesus Christ[3]
- Of a Santa Claus type of God who “comes at night, and, leaving his gifts at the door…goes quietly away and asks no thanks…”[4]
Jehovah God is anything but what this picture portrays. But remember, when one does not choose to submit to an authority, one can deny all he wants. However, his denial does not lessen or affect in the least the power of the authority over him. Much of what Masonry teaches is good and moral. But do not be deceived. Morality apart from Jesus Christ is worthless. Works motivated by a non-Christ morality are an abomination to God[5] and will be destroyed[6]. On the other hand, works done from the right heart are not only pleasing to God, but exactly what we were created for:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”[7]
This book is prepared with the hope that those involved in or considering joining Masonry, who honestly don’t know what Masonry teaches, will be enlightened to the point of rejecting Masonry’s error and Masonry. Notice I did not say “reject Masons.” God loves all people and desires that they come to a knowledge of the truth.[8] It is our prayer that all who read this will consider the seriousness of remaining ignorant or apathetic toward the teachings of Masonry. Eternity is at stake…and just around the corner.
The “Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry” is the basis of Masonry in America. It is divided into 32 separate steps or “degrees” which are grouped into two categories: the first three degrees, Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master, are the only obligatory steps to be taken by all entering Masonry. This is also referred to as “The Blue Lodge.” Degrees 4 – 32 are optional for those seeking “higher Truth”: “You have taken the first step over its threshold, the first step toward the inner sanctuary and heart of the temple. You are in the path that leads up the slope of the mountain of Truth; and it depends upon your secrecy, obedience, and fidelity, whether you will advance or remain stationary.”[9]
Many entering Masonry do not go beyond the first three degrees for the same reason many Christians do not get beyond milk. It requires commitment, discipline, and perseverance. Much of what is contained in this paper comes from the advanced degree work, and therefore those who do not continue their degree work beyond the third degree probably would not be exposed to these teachings. However, two realities remove any excuses a lower-level Mason may have regarding Masonry’s false religious teachings.
First, there is sufficient religious falsehood within the mandatory three degrees to prove beyond any doubt that Masonry is “antichrist”, and secondly, ignorance has never been a valid defense: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”[10]
We will address Masonic teaching found in both the lower three degrees as well as what is labeled “advanced truth” from the higher degrees. And we believe that you will discover just how insidious Masonry is. Much of what Masonry embraces comes
from the Kabalah, an ancient system of occult sciences and numerology from which the Gnostics were born.[xi]
Permit one comparison (to emphasize our contention) of Masonry’s teaching compared with Scripture’s teaching, without comment, before moving into the heart of this paper.
Masonry Teaches:
“Perfect truth is not attainable anywhere.”[xii]
“Masonry, like all the Religions… 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 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 God Himself…leads the masses away from the highest truth, giving them the power to attain only so much of it as it is profitable to them to know. Every age has had a religion suited to its capacity…
“So masonry jealously conceals its secrets, and intentionally leads conceited interpreters astray.”[xiii]
Scripture Teaches:
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”[xiv]
“…and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”[xv]
“The sum of Thy word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.”[xvi]
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me…And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you…In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”[xvii]
Presented here, in this first comparison, without comment, is sufficient evidence to dispute Masonry’s claims. I challenge you to do your own additional research to discover how Scripture differs from Masonic (and New Age) teachings and be able to defend your position.
We have presented here just 15 selections from Freemasonry’s own literature, a sampling that should open the eyes of anyone seeking truth, ring true to those who know Christ, and cause doubt or resentment over the deception foisted on those who have gone along thinking this was just a “good old boys club.”
As you read, please keep an open mind. This is not intended to bash any Mason but to offer an expose that refutes the claims of Freemasonry and presents the ONE TRUE GOD, the God of the Bible, creator of heaven and earth and the One to whom we will ALL give account of our lives on earth when (not if) we stand before Him in judgment.
[1] Pike, Morals and Dogma – p.625
[2] Ibid. p. 536
[3] Ibid. p. 525
[4] Ibid. p. 539
[5] Tit. 1:15,16
[6] I Cor. 3:10-15
[7] Eph. 2:8-10
[8] I Tim. 2:4
[9] Pike, Morals and Dogma – p. 106 From the 4th Degree (Secret Master)
[10] Hos. 4:6
[xi] Pike, Morals and Dogma – p. 626
[xii] Ibid. – p. 223
[xiii] Ibid (emphasis added)
[xiv] I John 5:13 (emphasis added)
[xv] John 8:32 (emphasis added)
[xvi] Ps. 119:160
[xvii] John 14:6, 16, 16, 20