(An Anglican Masonic Chaplain)

This is one of those frequently asked questions that regularly gets an airing either on Christian radio or in church circles. Another question asked: “Is freemasonry Christian?” I must answer an emphatic no to both questions, and also ponder the wider question, why would any Bible believing Christian seek membership into the freemasons or any secret society for that matter?

The former archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher was a practising freemason all his life, and he wasn’t the only one!

The Church of England has long had the problem of how to deal with freemasons in their ‘broad church.’ The former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, whose father was in the craft, used to block the promotion of practising masonic bishops before he was promoted to Canterbury.

(Whilst Williams never confessed to being a mason himself, he is a proud member of the druids, a group that historically sacrificed children to appease their gods).

(This is the infamous masonic chequered floor,

which can be seen on British police force uniforms,

and inside Number 10 Downing Street,

not to mention in numerous other government institutions)

Other well known “Christian” freemasons have been Joseph Smith and Brigham Young of the Latter-day Saints (the Mormons); Charles Taze Russell of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the husband of Ellen White of the Seventh Day Adventists.

In Martin Short’s book Inside the Brotherhood, he shares the following account of one Anglican Primate who wasn’t happy to learn of a masonic burial in an Anglican church:

“……I found that the words ‘Jesus Christ’ were omitted from the prayers and the word ‘Architect’ substituted. Worse still, the cross was to be removed from the altar…I thought that in this case, it would be better for the service to take place in a Masonic temple….this line I took stirred up a hornets’ nest. I was warned that I had offended important benefactors and that the diocese would suffer financially. It might have done so” (p. 76- 77).

In recent years the freemasons have tried hard to reinvent their infamous and mysterious image, by allowing members of the press and public to come and visit their lodges, but certainly not whilst their ghastly rituals are in operation.

One recent masonic newsletter that was sent to me, had the following quote, about the need for more ‘good news stories’ to be made known to the local press:

“…Now that we are achieving good coverage in the local press we are looking to other means of spreading the good news about freemasonry.”

The same publication boasted of the numerous good works that they do in their local areas, with the sum raised for charity, for the year 2004/2005, being £200,037.

It sadly appears that they are trusting in their own good works to save them from their sins and not in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross (Rom. 10:1-4.)

At this stage, I must state categorically that to the best of my knowledge there have never been any practising freemasons in my immediate family. How could there be? As a fifth generation, Roman Catholic, had not Rome forbidden membership to freemasonry? At least officially and in the open they had, and by no less than nine papal bulls, issued by fuming popes!

All this was to change covertly and successfully, however, after  Vatican II, when I suspect the ecumenical plot allowed the freemasons to join the fold. Or maybe the freemasons had always been in the Curia. One should remember the notorious Vatican P2 lodge, which consisted of many high-ranking cardinals and politicians. But if you’re still not sure of the Catholic view on this, just check their 1994 catechism, where you’ll find no mention of freemasonry and why a Catholic cannot seek membership of this anti-Christ movement.

Today I don’t think they – the hierarchy – could care less what you wish to do with your spare time. Except promote the social gospel and seek a greater ‘unity’ amongst the world’s religions. Certainly, they wouldn’t encourage a thorough Bible study or examine how sinners are actually saved by trusting in the precious blood of Christ alone, not by one’s good works and useless rituals.

So back to my main question of should a Christian be a freemason? I must answer my own question with a question: why would he want to (and yes, I know some lodges allow women), as the Order of the Eastern Star, but they remain very much male driven.

Incidentally, the Knights of DeMolay are a related organization that a young Bill Clinton was attracted to join when he was just 15-years-old. It should also be remembered that Presidents Bush Snr. and Bush Jr. was very much involved with the promoting of the infamous Skull and Bones secret society.

(It is pretty much known how the world’s political, economic and entertainment leaders are either protestant freemasons or Jesuit trained, by the Catholic church).

According to Freemasonry Today, young Bill enlisted in DeMolay at Hot Springs in Arkansas in 1961. He later stated: “I enjoyed learning all parts of the ritual. I grew up in a family with no money and no political influence. I had a lot of breaks; a lot of people helped me. DeMolay I think helps that.”

He would later become a Rhodes scholar. Cecil Rhodes was himself a highly respected millionaire, freemason.

The writer George L. Hunt states that: “Secretism is not only non-Christian but that it is anti-Christian.”

Heavy stuff you may say but are they religious, these freemasons? They most certainly are! Just listen to what Albert Pike, ‘Grand Commander’ and ‘Sovereign Pontiff’ (recognise that word, ‘pontiff’) of universal freemasonry had to say:

“Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion.”

Or Albert Mackey, another highly respected freemason, who wrote The Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry:

“Masonry is an eminently religious institution. The truth is masonry is undoubtedly a religious institution.”

And what about a British Knight of the Realm, Sir John Cockburn, past deputy ‘Grand Master’ of South Australia, who said:

“Masonry is a form of worship in which all religions can unite.” (And, boy aren’t they just promoting that today?)

According to the author Jim Shaw, himself a previous33rd-degreee freemason, who was wonderfully saved out of the darkness of freemasonry and brought into the glorious light of Jesus Christ, he offered the following:

“Masonry, contrary to popular belief, is not based upon the Bible. Masonry is actually based on the Kabala, a medieval book of magic and mysticism.”

This accurate statement is also reinforced by no less than Albert Pike. He said:

“Masonry is a search after light. That search leads us directly back, as you see, to the Kabala.”

Now if there is one thing that we at this ministry have always been clear about is that people must get out of organized religion! Have nothing to do with it. It cannot save you! No two ways about it!

I mean why would you wish to be mixed up with these people anyway. And one should also be mindful to the fact that freemasonry excludes the name of the Lord Jesus from prayer.

The precious name of Jesus is excluded from every passage of Scripture that is read in the lodge.

For example, this verse is how it should read, but freemasons omit the following underlined words:

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6.)

The same ‘method’ is also used to mangle 2 Thess. 3:11,12:

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

This is not genuine Christian behaviour, neither should it ever be accepted as such.

“When Masonry mutilates the Holy Scripture by deliberately omitting the name of the Messiah it is no longer the God-breathed, inspired word of God. It is religion without Jesus Christ as Saviour and Redeemer.”

This statement by the late Jim McCormick, himself an astute observer and writer of numerous articles on freemasonry over the years, is confirmed by Albert Pike in his lexicon of freemasonry. He writes:

“A Christian Mason is not permitted to introduce his own peculiar opinions with regard to Christ’s mediatorial office into the lodge.”

It is interesting that in The Builder, a well-known masonic book, there is no entry in the index for ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ.’

In Coils Masonic Encyclopaedia no such entry is listed either. Neither doesHolman’s Masonic Bible include an entry for either ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ.’

So I have to ask, does this not show the scornful attitude of any lodge toward Christianity? All prayers in the lodge it seems are Christ-less. How sad and how worthless.

So where does that leave the professing Christian as regards to worship in the lodge? Assuming he has got this far. Well, he can use the volume of the Sacred Law (VSL), Vedas, or the Gita. He can choose Zoroaster or the angelus for inspiration, if he so wishes. He can worship in any lodge behind closed doors in Trafalgar Sq., off Broadway or near the Neverland Ranch (if he should wish to).

Yet did not Jesus proclaim:

“For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world” (John 7:4).

And He also said the following:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

So what is going on here, I have to ask. And don’t be taken in by the ‘all seeing eye,’ familiar in the lodge, and in nearly every music pop video too, not to mention on the back of a dollar bill. It is not the eye of God as freemasons ignorantly claim but rather:

“The all seeing eye (that) was the symbol of deity in the ancient mysteries of Egypt.”

Secretism, it seems, announces another route, another door, independent of the Lord Jesus Christ. This I will not accept! Christ is not on par with Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, Sitting Bull or any pope.

Freemasonry also states that:

“If you deserve and purchase your path to heaven you are being saved by your own works, not God’s works.”

This is from the freemasons Pocket Companion. The true Bible believing Christian knows that good works can never save you. Only real faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ can achieve this. Nothing else. And if it did, what was the point of the crucifixion?

“He that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47).

So why are certain young and ambitious men attracted into becoming freemasons?

In the masonic catechism the novice is asked:

“Why did you become a freemason?” “To obtain a knowledge of the secrets and mysteries preserved amongst the brethren.”

In the world of business, it can offer promotion and in bringing in new business to the firm if a man is approached to join the lodge. This is very much a sweetener as well as the colourful regalia. And don’t all men love a uniform and the whiff of secret societies. (For the purpose of this article and for the lack of space, I have excluded the Illuminati  the Trilateral group, the Bilderbergers and other assorted anti-Christian institutions).

It must also be stated how many protestant ministers, elders, deacons, and Sunday school teachers, have all requested a place in the lodge. And shame on them!

Freemasonry rites are idolatry. This is clearly witnessed in the initiation oaths, especially in the first three degrees. Even God is re-named ‘The Great Architect of the Universe!’ Masons will not find Him in ‘the grand lodge’ in the sky! Rather they will meet the One true God at the Great White Throne Judgment if they do not renounce this movement and receive Christ as their only hope of salvation (Rev. 20:11-14.)

The apostle Paul was correct when he warned those seeking the truth not to be yoked with those who practice such acts (2 Cor. 6:14-18.)

And did not Jesus warn:

“Swear not at all” (Matt. 5:34).

In the 19th degree of the 33 degrees of freemasonry, the candidate is marked with balm with the words said over him:

“Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Bible believer must see this as blasphemy and unacceptable, not to mention that this office is non-transferable. It only belongs to Jesus Christ.

Incidentally, in the same degree (19th) the candidate is presented with a sash embroidered with the 12 signs of the zodiac. The Bible clearly forbids this divination (Deut.18:10). Again the true Bible believer should and must reject such a practice if it is offered to him.

And what about secret hand grips and mumbled oaths muttered in the dark. The apostle James gave the following warning on this:

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by theearth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest yefall into condemnation” (James 5:12).

(Someone’s father, son or brother, as he is ignorantly initiated in to freemasonry)

However for the mostly naïve and ignorant apprentice, he is starkly warned that his throat will be cut, his tongue and heart will be torn out and his discarded body will be marked and disembowelled, if any lodge secrets are revealed to non-masons!

So why would any sane person in his right frame of mind want to go along with this malarkey? One more thing a Christian should look out for are masonic rings, cuff links and tie clips, as well as fleece-lined aprons and silk, festooned ties, crystal glass or pewter decanters.

So my final advice to any ignorant Christian who may have joined freemasonry is to get out of it. Burn the regalia, don’t wait. And if you’ve got children or grandchildren they’ll love to assist you in stoking that fire in the garden. Perhaps your wife will also be very glad of your decision.

Remember what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 6:17:

“Come ye out from among them,” he later qualifies this in Ephesians 5:11:

“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

So what more encouragement do you need?

For anyone that would like to know more about freemasonry, please see Patrick’s excellent video, Freemasonry Exposed: What Every Christian Should Know.

Sources

Secret Societies, George L. Hunt

Is Freemasonry Christian?, Jim McCormick

The Complete Manual of Freemasonry, William Harvey

What they believe: Masons, Harold J. Berry

The Deadly Deception: Freemasonry Exposed, Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney

 

 

GPB

2014

(All Rights Reserved)