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THE MASONIC JESUS

 

“Many writers and thinkers have tried to define Freemasonry but it really defeats definition. It is too complex, too profound in conception, to easily expressed in words. Perhaps the simplest and best definition of all is the phrase ‘the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.’ Our Masonic forefathers had an understanding of human needs and human aspirations. They may never have dreamed of the mindless computer which governs our lives, or the fission of matter which threatens our lives, but they understood human nature and what motivates the spirit of man. Thus from a simple process of using stone and mortar for building they progressed to the most important of life’s functions, the building of character.” – Louis L. Williams[1]

 

A few years ago, I was sharing about the dangers of cults with a Salvation Army Youth Group. Afterwards, during the question time, a girl asked me:  Can a Christian be a Freemason? This is a question often asked and many times debated.

I answered by saying that, as the beliefs and practices of Freemasonry are totally incompatible with Biblical Christianity, a Christian should not be a Freemason. The girl came back at me with a follow up question: ‘Then how come our bandmaster is a Freemason?’

The quote above defines, amongst other things, Freemasonry as ‘the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.’  but which God are they speaking of? Is it the God revealed in Holy Scripture?

INCOMPATIBLE

You would think a cursory look at what Masons believe, should be enough to stop a thoughtful Christian from pursuing membership, but sadly this is not always the case. Let us consider the key areas of conflict between Freemasonry and Biblical Christianity.

1) The Nature of Man

According to Freemasonry man is fallen and broken, but not beyond repair. Through Freemasonry a man can reach higher, become better, achieve more. That is why, if anyone knows anything about Freemasonry, they tend to know that they do ‘good deeds’. Through acts of charity and moral living, Masons can elevate themselves. Men and women possess the power within themselves to do what is right.

This is clearly at odds with the Biblical view of man, where it is taught that: ‘None is righteous – no not one.’ (Romans 3:10). The Bible denies the idea that we can ‘make ourselves better’ (1 John 1:8-10), and that is why we need a Saviour.

2) The Nature of Salvation

Masons believe that salvation is wrought through good works. Being benevolent in thought and practice, as taught through Freemasonry, will lead to favour with God. This is not the view of Scripture.

The Biblical position is that man cannot be saved through his good works but rather he, like a non-swimmer in the middle of a turbulent sea, needs to be rescued. Good works then flow from the one who, through no doing of his own, is saved by one greater than himself. Once saved, he then shows his gratitude through his good works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

3) The Nature of God

It is said that an atheist or an agnostic cannot become a Freemason. To join a Masonic Lodge, one must acknowledge a belief in a ‘higher power.’ Who or what this ‘higher-power’ is, can be determined by the individual. The preferred Masonic name for God is the ‘Grand Architect of the Universe’ (G.A.O.T.U.), but in certain Masonic rites a personal name for God is revealed – Jabulon.

Jabulon is the joining together of three names to reveal a name of God.

Jah = The God of Israel – Yahweh or Jehovah

Bul = The God of Canaan – Baal

On = The God of Egypt - Osiris

Most Freemasons would believe that whatever you call God you are all speaking of the same God. Therefore, your religion is not a barrier to Masonic membership.

The Bible though leaves us with no such ambiguity. God is revealed in Scripture as the only one true God. (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8). To worship any other than this God, is idolatry (Exodus 20:3).

4) The Nature of Jesus

Who do Freemasons believe Jesus to be? They do not believe that Jesus is God. Jesus is given no greater honour than any other important religious figure. To teach that Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6), would go against an important Masonic doctrine – tolerance. This has led to Lodges refusing to use the name of Jesus, and even removing His name from Biblical texts. 

The Bible reveals a Jesus far different to the one portrayed by the Freemasons. Scripture reveals that Jesus is God (John 1:1, 14-18; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13 etc.) and that salvation comes through Him alone. (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5).

IRRECONCILABLE

There is enough in this brief article to clearly show that Freemasonry and Biblical Christianity cannot be bedfellows.

Freemasonry teaches that its beliefs and practices bring light, yet Jesus is the one who claimed to be the ‘Light of the World.’ (John 1:9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5)

Freemasonry teaches that salvation can be earned through good works, yet Jesus is the only one who can save. (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 5:9; Romans 6:23; John 3:36; Romans 10:9).

Freemasonry teaches that truth is secretive and concealed but the Scripture teaches that Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6); that Christians will be lead in truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) and God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).

Taken from the appealingly named website ‘Lodge of Happiness’ the following quote would perhaps attract many to the group:

Freemasons come from all faiths and backgrounds. A Freemason believes in a ‘Supreme Being’ and is concerned with moral and spiritual values. A moral and ethical approach to life is at the core of a Freemason: showing thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Each Freemason is urged to regard the interests of his family as paramount and practice concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.[2]

As benevolent and benign as this all sounds, Freemasonry is by no means compatible with historic, biblical Christianity. Therefore, a Christian Freemason is an oxymoron!

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 

(2 Peter 2:1)



[1] https://masonicquoteoftheday.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/louis-l-williams/

[2] http://lodgeofhappiness.org.uk/about-our-lodge/what-is-a-freemason/


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