The Teachings of the Lodge and the Teachings of the Bible

This entry is part 17 of 31 in the series Freemasonry

Did you know that Freemasonry is religious? To be a member of a Masonic Lodge, a man must profess faith in a Supreme Being and the eternality of the soul. Masonic Lodges elect a chaplain and use a sacred text (usually a Bible) as part of the “furniture of the lodge.” Masonic Lodges are intended to mimic Solomon’s temple. When a Master Mason dies, he is entitled to Masonic funeral rites. These rites include a petition for the departed Mason to enter the “Celestial Lodge.” According to Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, Freemasonry is a “mild religion” (p. 512). Christians should ask, “Do the teachings of the Masonic religion agree with the teachings of the Bible?”

Salvation

The Bible teaches that a man is saved by the grace of God, through faith in the finished work of Christ and not by his own works.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that none may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Freemasonry teaches that a Master Mason can get to Heaven by living a “pious and virtuous life.”

Funeral rite language from Akin’s Lodge Manual with the Georgia Masonic Code (p. 138)

The Nature of Man

The Bible teaches that man is inherently sinful and evil from birth. Without the grace of God, a man is unable to seek righteousness. No one is good but God. Only through Christ can men be empowered to do good works in the eyes of God.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

The Message of Freemasonry is “Making Good Men Better” (Masonic Messenger, April 2014). Freemasons seek to use the tenets of Freemasonry to build their own spiritual temple, to make themselves better through the practice of Freemasonry. Freemasonry teaches that men who don’t know Jesus can make themselves better.

Syncretism

The Bible teaches that people should not mix false religion with the true religion of God. The Ten Commandments require that man have no other gods before Yahweh and that man make no graven images. The officers of a New Testament Church are pastors and deacons. There is one high priest, Jesus, who is mediator between God and men. God is a jealous God. It is not acceptable before God to practice Christianity and another religion. Christ and His church are to be held in the highest esteem.

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2

Masonry teaches that one may become a high priest by advancing through the degrees of Masonry. Doyle Franklin Williams was a member of the first Baptist Church of Emerson, Georgia where he was a deacon and the Music Director. He was also a member of Emerson Masonic Lodge #738 where he served as the Worshipful Master. He also served as the “High Priest” of Cartersville Royal Arch #144. In Freemasonry, there are hymns of praise to the lodge and Freemasonry is considered the highest institution on Earth. The Lodge is to be held in the highest esteem. Freemasonry encourages syncretism.

“No institution was ever raised on a better principle, or more solid foundation. Nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down that are inculcated in the several Masonic lectures. The greatest and best of men, in all ages, have been encouragers and promoters of the art, and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the fraternity, extend their privileges, and patronize their assembles” Akin’s Lodge Manual With Georgia Masonic Code (p. 137-138)

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[Contributed by: Seth Dunn]

*Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use.

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