FREEMASONRY AND THE CHRISTIAN
BY
Eddy D. Field II and Eddy D. Field III1This message was published in The Master's Seminary Journal (TMSJ)A copy of the Journal, and information concerning subscriptions can be obtained by writing:The Master's Seminary Journal, 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
TMSJ 5/2 (Fall 1994) pp. 141-157
Recently the largest Protestant denomination has ruled that membership in the Lodge is up to one's individual conscience. This position is contrary to a traditional Christian view of Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a fraternal order that advocates development of virtue and character among its members, as the authors can attest through their own past membership in it. The soteriology of Freemasonry is strongly antibiblical, as several of its teachings indicate--teachings associated with the Lambskin Apron, how to prepare for heaven, the Perfect Ashlar, the Common Gavel, and how to live a worthwhile life. Christian membership in the Lodge is, therefore, impossible to justify in light of Scriptural teachings.
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In 1992, Southern Baptist James Holly requested that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) conduct an investigation of Freemasonry. The SBC agreed and in June of 1993 approved a study of Freemasonry2 which, though stating that some of Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity, concluded that membership in the Lodge is a matter of individual conscience.3 This evaluation by the SBC has served as an endorsem*nt of the Lodge.4 In The Scottish Rite Journal, a Masonic periodical, one Mason has written,
- Because of your support, the vote of the Southern Baptist Convention is a historic and positive turning point for Freemasonry. Basically, it is a vitalization of our Fraternity by America's largest Protestant denomination after nearly a year of thorough, scholarly study. At the same time, it is a call to renewed effort on the part of all Freemasons today to re-energize our Fraternity and move forward to fulfilling its mission as the world's foremost proponent of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.5
The conclusion of the SBC surprised many who believe that the essential tenets of Freemasonry are contrary to those of Christianity. An overwhelming number of Christian denominations have condemned Freemasonry, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church of England, the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Synod Anglican Church of England, the Assemblies of God, the Church of the Nazarene, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Christian Reformed Church in America, the Evangelical Mennonite Church, the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Grace Brethren, Independent Fundamentalist Churches of America, The Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Baptist Union of Scotland, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the Presbyterian Church in America. 6 Also, many prominent Christians have denounced the Lodge, including D. L. Moody, Jonathan Blanchard, Charles Blanchard, Alva McClain, Walter Martin, and Charles Finney. 7 So the Southern Baptist Convention is not in agreement with other Christians concerning the teachings of Masonry and Christian participation in it.8 Christian membership in the Masonic Lodge is an issue that many churches must face and one that the SBC's Report has clouded. 9
This essay will explain the Lodge, tell of the authors' involvement in it, and their reasons for leaving it.
AN OVERVIEW OF FREEMASONRY
No formal definition of Freemasonry exists in its official literature, 10 but several descriptions are available elsewhere. For example, the Monitor says this of Freemasonry: "It is an institution having for its foundation the practice of the social and moral virtues."11 It also makes the following statement:
- By speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the Square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness.12
Another statement reveals more about the nature of Freemasonry:
- Masonry is a progressive moral science, divided into different degrees; and, as its principles and mystic ceremonies are regularly developed and illustrated, it is intended and hoped that they will make a deep and lasting impression upon your mind. 13
The Monitor also says,
- The Trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make free use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can work and best agree. 14
The Lodge is a fraternal order--or brotherhood--that teaches its members to develop virtue and character. It distinguishes between the "operative" and the "speculative" mason. The operative mason is the literal mason who builds with stone and brick. 15 The speculative Mason is a member of the Masonic Lodge. The Lodge has adopted the symbols of stonemasonry related to temple- building because speculative Masons are also building a temple. 16 The teaching given to Masons is that they are building a spiritual temple in heaven. It instructs each Mason--regardless of his religion and by his own efforts--to fashion himself into a perfect living stone to fit into the spiritual temple being constructed in heaven. An explanation of this will come below.
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