Introduction

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men… rather than according to Christ. For IN HIM all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and IN HIM you have been made COMPLETE and He is the head over ALL rule and authority.”[i]

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”[ii]

“See to it that no one misleads you” (Matt. 24:4).

Apathy and compromise have invaded the church today to such an extent that many Christians cannot recognize false teaching. Worse yet, upon recognizing it, they are too lethargic or complacent in their Christianity to do anything about it.

Compromise has become a way of life for most people in our society today. It’s easier than taking a stand…for anything right vs. wrong. We’re afraid for our acceptance by others, our jobs, perhaps even our lives.

New Age thinking isn’t new at all. It’s been around since Satan tempted Eve in The Garden. Being like God or being a god has always been at the center of Satan’s deception. He knows that our pride loves to be stroked. Pandering to our pride has kept more people from recognizing their total depravity and need of a Savior than any other lure.

If that’s true, why don’t more Christians recognize New Age thinking for what it is? One reason is lack of Biblical knowledge – both content and principles. Most Christians can quote John 3:16 and the 23^rd Psalm. But their knowledge of Scripture doesn’t go much further. Hosea 4:6 says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Proverbs 5:23 echoes the same thought: “he will die for lack of instruction.” It can’t be stated more plainly than in Proverbs 1:32, 33: “For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely and shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Consider the following story in relationship to Biblical knowledge:

A pastor asked a class of Sunday school children “Who broke down the wall of Jericho?” A boy answered, “Not me, sir!” Upset, the pastor asked the teacher, “Is this typical?” She replied, “I believe this boy is honest, and I really don’t think he did it.” The pastor went to the head deacon. “I’ve known the boy and teacher for years,” said the deacon, “and neither of them would do such a thing.” Aghast, the pastor went to the Christian Education Board. “Pastor,” said the chairman, “let’s not make an issue of this. Let’s just pay for the damage and charge it to upkeep.”[iii]

It is easier and personally much less painful to compromise than to take a Biblical stand, especially if you’re standing alone. The pressure to compromise, to move away from an unpopular, yet Christ honoring position, is almost overwhelming at times – even from other Christians. But God has called us to stand. Ephesians 6:13 says “…having done all to STAND FIRM” (emphasis added). Revelation 3:16 reveals God’s attitude toward lukewarm (compromising) Christians: “..so because you are lukewarm, I will spit (literally “vomit”) you out of my mouth.”

Why is it that if we know (at least intellectually) how God feels about compromise, that we continue in the general flow of accepted “Christian” activity rather than swim against the current of “tolerance”? I believe the reason is that we don’t really know how God feels about the sin of compromise. By the way, there is no such thing in the Bible as compromise. That’s our euphemism for disobedience so that we feel less convicted. You can see how far we’ve slipped from God’s standard.

The good news is that it’s not too late to take a stand even if you’ve been weak or have vacillated in the past. “Thy word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.”[iv] “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.”[v] God had a condemning word for the church at Ephesus: “I have this against you; you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent…”[vi] These three verses contain the key to open the door back to God’s standard.

First, we must restore God to His rightful place in our lives. Many people talk about this process as making Jesus Lord of their lives. We don’t make Jesus Lord; He IS Lord. We’re either walking in obedience or we’re not. Secondly, we must begin to study and memorize Scripture so that we can, with the Psalmist, “…not sin against [God].” How can we not sin against God unless we know His standard? How can we know what His standard unless we study His Word?

So what does all this have to do with Freemasonry, more commonly known as the Masonic Lodge? Freemasonry was chosen for this booklet because of its prominent, widely accepted position in society and even the church. I wanted an example of how far off the mark some segments of the church have gotten without even knowing it. This is by no means an exhaustive work of exposing all of the error of Masonic (or New Age) teaching. Nor is it a thorough theological treatise on any of the points presented. What it is, is a call to war – a reveille for the soldiers in the army of the King. “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, a people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of man neither be dismayed at their revilings.”[vii]

The teachings of The Masonic Lodge include:

The denial of Christ’s deity
The elevation of other gods to Christ’s level
Occult knowledge and practices
Mystics
Reincarnation

…and many other false teachings, including Gnosticism which the Apostle Paul continually argued against (See Col. 2). These teachings are all found in the New Age movement.

Since masonry has the cloak of respectability and even acceptance in many churches, I can only conclude that the culprit is lack of knowledge of Masonic teaching and rituals. But lack of knowledge has never been an acceptable excuse even in society. When was the last time you were released from a fine for speeding by telling the judge, “I didn’t know what the speed limit was?”

Masonry has at its core the same insidious lies as all other New Age teachings. It is the purpose and goal of this paper to present some of the teachings of Freemasonry as presented in Masonic literature, contrast each point with what Scripture teaches, and allow you to draw your own conclusions. It is my sincere prayer that many who read this will be shaken from their apathy and begin (or continue with renewed confidence and commitment to Jesus Christ) to stand on solid Biblical principles, loving sinners but not tolerating sin. “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel (representing the false religious system), who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bondservants astray.”[viii]

[i] Col. 2:8 emphasis added (unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the New American Standard ©Lockman Foundation)

[ii] Heb. 5:13, 14

[iv] Psalm 119:11

[v] Col. 3:16

[vi] Rev. 2:4,5

[vii] Isa. 51:7

[viii] Rev. 2:20