Freemasonry at a Glance

Many pastors are unaware of Freemasonry and its belief systems.  Some have seen the square and compass on the side of a building or on a passing vehicle but do not understand the meaning behind the symbols.  Others may have a close relative involved with the Lodge.  As a secret society, Freemasonry is careful with its disclosures, and information relative to its teachings can be elusive.  Ministry to Freemasons affords an opportunity to help people be set free from deception, but only when one understands the spiritual compromise in the Lodge.

In order to join the Lodge, Masons must believe in a deity.  For this reason, Masons are often interested in spiritual matters and may eventually gravitate to your church.  Some of these Masons will freely disclose their affiliation, while others will keep it a secret.  Freemasonry operates as a secret society.  When admitting affiliation will further a cause, it will be forthcoming.  When it is considered best to operate under the radar, it will not be disclosed.  In is interesting to note that God's Word tells us that:

"wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public square;

at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:"

(Proverbs 1:20,21)

God's wisdom isn't secret, it can stand in public.

Masons join the Lodge for many reasons.  This may include business, family tradition, or for charitable efforts.  Many never take the time to understand the teaching of the Lodge or to question its pagan initiation process.  Masons are introduced to a deep level of philosophical and esoteric teaching which directly challenges the Christian faith.  But one cannot hold to the claims of Christ and the teaching of the Lodge at the same time.  They move in opposite directions.  We must understand that Masons in the membership bring Freemasonry into the membership.  Here are a few examples of Masonic teaching to help you in your understanding.

The Bible

Freemasonry denies the unique character of the Bible.  A Mason is taught that the Bible is to be considered no better, or worse, than any other religious book.  Although a Volume of Sacred Law is considered one of the “Great Lights” of Freemasonry, it is so only as a symbol of the will of God.  Any book can be placed upon the altar of Freemasonry.  It will generally depend upon the given majority of Lodge members.

“The Bible is used among Freemasons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed."  Therefore, whatever to any people expresses that will (of God) may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge…Old Testament (Jews)…Koran (Muslims)..Vedas (Brahman).”  (Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Mackey, 1966, p. 133)

God

The deity of Freemasonry is different than the God of the Bible.  Freemasonry teaches that God is unitarian, not trinitarian.  The Mason is taught to understand The Great Architect of the Universe as a general composite of the gods of ancient religions.  The names of these gods are introduced to the Mason to help him understand the attributes of this particular deity.  In addition, Masons are taught that God is the actual creator of evil.  They solve the problem of evil in the world by attributing it to Him.

“If the sacred scriptures are inspired, God himself has told us that he makes good and creates evil."  (Book of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, McCleanachan, New York, 1885, p. 415)

Jesus Christ

A Mason is taught that Jesus is merely a great moral teacher, one in a diverse line of religious examples.  He is not God in human flesh, nor will Masonry affirm His atonement for the sins of humanity.  Freemasonry holds two major festivals, the Feast of St. John the Evangelist and the Feast of St. John of the Revelation.  They occur, interestingly enough, near the summer and winter solstice.  The person in the middle, Jesus, has no principal feast.  He is left out.  Freemasonry believes these two men, St. John the Evangelist and St. John of the Revelation, were exemplary mystics and thus worthy of Feasts.

Salvation

Freemasonry makes numerous statements inferring that membership in the Lodge can be trusted for salvation.  Masons expect to be admitted to the Celestial Lodge Above.  Masonry believes that all people have the same origin in God and the same destination, thus inferring the doctrine of universalism.  They do not believe in a fallen angel at war with God, and they do not believe in hell.  It leads to one conclusion; all people are reunited to deity.  In the Lodge of Sorrow we read:

“Let us now rejoice that our brother has been raised from his prostrate state and admitted to the Perfect Lodge Above.”  (Book of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, McCleanachan, New York, 1885, p. 597) 

The Occult

Freemasonry is linked with many esoteric, mystical traditions flowing from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.  Many Masonic symbols are shared with arcane and occult groups.  Symbols in Freemasonry will be used to reveal, to teach, and to conceal.  Symbols often have various levels of meaning with the esoteric just beneath the surface.  In the 24th degree, Prince of the Tabernacle, we read:

“The lamp is reason enlightened by science; the cloak is liberty, or the full and entire possession of one’s self, which isolates the sage from the currents of instinct; and the staff is the assistance of the occult and eternal forces of nature.”  (Book of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, McCleanachan, New York, 1885, p. 353) 

Oaths

When a man receives the first degree of the Blue Lodge, he must allow himself to be described as:

“...a poor, blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethern and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.”  (Entered Apprentice Degree, State of Nevada, circa 1986, p. 7) 

Although we believe Jesus has accomplished this in a Christian’s life, an initiate must allow himself to be described in ways that negate his experience with Jesus.  He must allow himself to be described as blind. Oaths in Freemasonry are covenant statements, many of which can go on to describe mutilating punishment upon one’s life.

Is Freemasonry a Religion?

In the public eye, Freemasonry denies it is a religion.  However, a number of its historic leaders have stated that it is, indeed, a religion.  It does have baptismal services, temples, and religious terminology in various degrees.  It has a comprehensive, systematic theology concerning spiritual things.  Using religious terminology, Masonry considers its members sacred and outsiders as profane.  It makes statements in its monitors that it is a religion but denies this in public. In a monitor of the Scottish Rite we read:

“The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted rite form a connected system of moral, religious, and philosophical instruction.”  (Book of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, McCleanachan, New York, 1885, p. 312) 

In summary, it is important to become aware of the teachings of Freemasonry and its allied secret societies.  These are present day forms of Gnosticism.  Due to an eroding connection to certain moral values in some historic, mainline churches, Masons are looking for congregations that affirm traditional values.  The challenge and opportunity will be to bring them to a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.