“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)
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