Today’s question is: What is Freemasonry, and what do Freemasons believe? In this video
I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Then afterwards, as always, I’ll
share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
Freemasonry, Eastern Star, and other similar “secret” organizations seem to be harmless
fellowship gatherings. Many of them appear to promote belief in God. However, Freemasonry,
also sometimes called the Craft, does not have belief in the one true God in view; rather,
each man must “act with courage, fidelity, and devotion to his God.” Freemasonry teaches
the existence of a “Supreme Being,” whoever that may be: the god of Islam, Hinduism, or
any other religion will do. The unbiblical beliefs of Masonry are partially hidden by
a supposed compatibility with the Christian faith. The following is a comparison of what
the Bible says with what Freemasonry teaches:
Salvation from Sin: The Bible’s View: Jesus became the sinner’s sacrifice before God
when He shed His blood and died as the payment for the sins of all those who believe.
Freemasonry Teaches: The very process of joining a lodge requires apprentices to ignore the
exclusivity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Freemasonry focuses on good works in the pursuit
of personal self-improvement: “By returning to lodge, witnessing the degrees, and becoming
an active part of the Masonic community, a man can build himself into a better man.”
The View of the Bible: The Bible’s View: The Bible is the Word of God. It is God-breathed
and authoritative in all areas of life.
Freemasonry Teaches: The Bible is only one of seven commonly used Volumes of Sacred Law,
all of which are deemed equally important: “The Holy Book of any religion may be used
as a VSL, provided that it teaches and its adherents believe in a Supreme Being” The
Bible is an important book, but only as far as those members who claim to be Christians
are concerned. The Bible is not considered to be the exclusive Word of God or God’s
sole revelation of Himself.
The Doctrine of God: The Bible’s View: There is only one God. To worship other gods or
to call upon other deities is idolatry. Paul spoke of idolatry as a heinous sin, and John
said that idolaters will perish in hell.
Freemasonry Teaches: All members must believe in a deity. Different religions acknowledge
the same God, but they call Him different names. Freemasonry invites people of all faiths.
Even if they use different names for the “Nameless One of a hundred names,” they are praying
to the one God and Father of all. Manly Hall, a 33rd degree Mason, wrote, “The true Mason
is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason
his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha, or Mohammed, the name means little, for he
recognizes only the light and not the bearer.”
The Doctrine of Jesus and the Trinity: The Bible’s View: Jesus is God in human form.
Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity. He is fully human and fully divine. Christians
should pray in Jesus’ name and proclaim Him before others.
Freemasonry: There is no exclusivity in Jesus Christ or the Triune God who is the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is equated to persons in pagan religions: “The Hindus
called him Krishna; the Chinese, Kioun-tse; the Persians, Sosiosch; the Chaldeans, Dhouvanai;
the Egyptians, Horus; Plato, Love; the Scandinavians, Balder; the Christians, Jesus; Masons, Hiram.”
Human Nature and Sin: The Bible’s View: All humans are born with a sinful nature and
need a Savior from sin. Because of the fall, humanity has within itself no capacity for
moral perfection.
Freemasonry Teaches: Through symbols and emblems, Masons teach that man is not sinful but in
a process of self-improvement. As Deputy Grand Master R. W. Donald Gardner Hicks, Jr., said,
“The lesson we teach is that the Rough Ashler [a rough-cut stone] represents ourselves rude
and imperfect by nature, but that the Perfect Ashler [a stone with smooth sides and square
edges] is that state of perfection at which we hope to obtain, by a virtuous education,
our own endeavors and the blessing of God.” Human beings possess the ability of moving
from imperfection toward total perfection.
When a Christian takes the oath of Freemasonry, he is swearing to the following doctrines
that God has pronounced false: 1. Salvation can be gained by man’s good works. 2. Jesus
is just one of many equally wise prophets. 3. He approaches the lodge in spiritual darkness
and ignorance (the Bible says Christians are children of the light). 4. The Great (or Grand)
Architect of the Universe is representative of all gods in all religions.
By swearing the Masonic oath and participating in the rituals of the lodge, Christians are
perpetuating a false gospel. Even if the Christian Mason knows the truth and believes in Christ,
other lodge members are trusting in Freemasonry’s plan of salvation to get to heaven. By his
membership in a syncretistic organization, the Christian has severely compromised his
witness.
Masonry contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture on numerous issues. As a result,
a Christian should not be a member of any organization that has any connection with
Freemasonry.
For more information, we recommend the resources available from: Ex-Masons for Jesus.
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