Dr. Tim,
What does the Bible say about groups such as Freemasonry? I have been bashed by Christians all my life for wearing the ring of a Mason. Your thoughts?
MS
Elyria, OH
MS,
I appreciate your question and it is one that is dear to my heart. In 1989, I took the oaths of a Freemason, working myself through the chairs and the Lodge. I have seen a lot of good work for humanity done under the banner of Freemasonry and Scottish Rite, etc.
Where I must take Freemasonry to task is in 2 major areas that differ radically with Christianity:
All Religions Are One
Masonry tries to join all the monotheistic religions together as one under the umbrella of Freemasonry. In Masonry, all members are sworn to protect and uphold their “Brother Masons.” Each religion must give up the specific tenets of their faith that don’t agree withthe next person’s faith in order to be able to agree with their “brothers”. Open intolerance and at times hostility is displayed toward anyone who will not conform. Though Masonry teaches its beliefs as absolutes, in order to accommodate the beliefs of differing faiths, it allows its members to ascribe to higher or optional teachings as the individual desires. However, these are not allowed to be displayed in the lodge for fear of offending the brothers of other faiths. Thus, the use of the name of Jesus is highly discouraged in the Lodge. How Sad!
Freemasonry’s Method of Salvation
Freemasonry claims to be the repository for the Keys necessary to enter into that Grand Lodge Above, where God dwells. To be admitted, you must join the Brotherhood, learn the secrets of Freemasonry (the secret handshakes, secret tokens, and secret words), and become more and more virtuous. These qualifications have to do with a person becoming worthy of heaven by virtue of his own efforts. I discovered that salvation in Freemasonry was dependent upon being a nice person outwardly. This is in agreement with most monotheistic religions. However, it is absolutely opposed to the Biblical Christian method.
Masonry assumes there are two types of people: the good people and the bad ones. They seek to only have the “good” ones join them. Bad men will be “black balled” and not allowed to join. Masonry neglects to deal with the problem of sin. They reject the Biblical teaching that all men are sinners and therefore, before a perfect God, all men are bad.
The Bible says that man is sinful and cannot make it to Heaven by his own efforts. The Bible says that Jesus has to save us or we can’t be saved at all. Jesus gives all his followers eternal life for free. This is in direct contradiction with the method of Freemasonry. In the 28th degree, members are told that the true Mason…raises himself by degrees until he reaches heaven… In Biblical Christianity, no one can make it without Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one goes to the Father but by me.” Christianity is very exclusive in that there is no other way to be saved, other than by the innocent shed blood of Jesus the promised Messiah.
Conclusion
I served and lived as a Christian and Freemason at the same time. My salvation was not in jeopardy for having done so. However, once the Holy Spirit began to open my eyes and truly illuminate the roots and symbolisms of Freemasonry, I became convicted in my heart. Shortly afterwards, I approached the Lodge Master and explained my struggle. It was HE who advised me to bow out and follow my religious convictions. He said and I quote, “We would never want to come between you and your faith.” At his advice, I surrendered membership and left with a deep love and respect that I share today with all my “brothers” of Freemasonry. God’s Spirit convicts as He wishes and I would never pass judgment on them. Until they themselves experience that conviction, they are not in danger of sinning. “To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not… to HIM it is sin.” I hope I have helped.
Pastor Tim