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Several doctrines taught by the Masons are particularly repulsive to the Word of God. One is that there are many ways to God. Consider, for example, this quote from Carl Claudy's book, Introduction to Freemasonry: "In his private petitions a man may petition God or Jehovah, Allah or Buddha, Mohammed or Jesus; he may call upon the God of Israel or the Great First Cause. In the Masonic Lodge he hears petition to the Great Architect of the Universe, finding his own deity under that name. A hundred paths may wind upward around a mountain; at the top they meet."1 By contrast, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..." (John 14:6).
In other words, Masonry teaches salvation through all religions, whereas the Bible teaches there is salvation in only one name under heaven — the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).
Salvation by Works
Another unscriptural Masonic doctrine is salvation by works. Masonic literature is replete with references to being justified before God through good works.
For example, in the Kentucky Masonic handbook, the lambskin apron worn by Masons is described as a reminder "of that purity of life and conduct which is essential to gaining admission to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides."2 The Holman edition of the Masonic Bible contains a Masonic Creed that asserts that "character determines destiny."3 The former Masonic Grand Chaplain of Pennsylvania summed it up this way:4
"The philosophy of Freemasonry is to make man the master of his own destiny, to show him that there also is an immortality on earth brought by his actions; that he can, through his own efforts... inscribe his name in the 'Book of Life.'"
This is a different Gospel, and as such, it is condemned by Paul in Galatians 1:8-9. The true Gospel is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and not through works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Jesus is One of Many Saviors
A third unbiblical doctrine of Masonry relates to their view of Jesus. He is portrayed in Masonic literature as one of many Saviors. Consider this quote from the Kentucky handbook:5
"All antiquity... believed in a future life... and in a Mediator or Redeemer... The belief was general that He was to be born of a virgin and suffer a painful death. 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; the Masons, Hiram."
As this paragraph indicates, Jesus comes across in Masonic literature as nothing more than one of many enlightened men. He certainly is not viewed as divine. Former Masonic leader, Jim Shaw, has written that in official Masonic doctrine, "Jesus is just a man. He is one of the 'exemplars,' one of the great men of the past, but not divine and certainly not the only means of redemption of lost mankind."6
In sharp contrast, the Bible teaches that Jesus was the unique and only begotten Son of God — that He was, in fact, God in the flesh (Philippians 2:1-9 and John 1:1-14).
One other thing — Masons are not allowed to pray in their lodges in the name of Jesus. Yet the Word of God says that Christians are to offer all prayers in Jesus' name (Colossians 3:17).
A God Alien to the Bible
According to Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia all men involved in Masonry must decide between the inferior Christian God and the true God of Masonry:7
"Men have to decide whether they want a God like the ancient Hebrew Jahweh, a partisan, tribal God, with whom they can talk and argue and from whom they can hide if necessary, or a boundless, eternal, universal, undenominational, and international, Divine Spirit, so vastly removed from the speck called man, that He cannot be known, named, or approached."
This quotation makes it clear that the God of Masonry, called The Great Architect of the Universe and symbolized by the all-seeing eye, is not the true God of the Bible. The Bible reveals that the creator of this universe is a triune God consisting of one God in three persons. The Bible further reveals that He is a Father God who desires intimate fellowship with His creation. He is anything but a "tribal God" who is aloof and unapproachable (Isaiah 57:15).
Although Masons are taught that the real name of God cannot be known because it has been lost, those who pursue the higher levels of Masonry are ultimately told that the secret name of the Masonic deity is Jabulon.8 This is an acronym for Jehovah, Baal (the ancient Canaanite god), and Osiris (an Egyptian mystery god). Can there really be any doubt that Masonry is steeped in paganism?
The Masonic Defense
Many Masons respond to these criticisms by observing that George Washington was a Mason and that fourteen of our Presidents have been Masons. But these facts are irrelevant. No one denies that many good and great men have been and are Masons.
Others defend the Masons by pointing out that many ministers are Masons. This too does not prove anything. Many ministers are also members of the apostate National Council of Churches, and many ministers are unsaved.
Another defense of Masonry is that it honors the Bible as God's Word. The Standard Masonic Monitor maintains that the Bible is "the Great Light in Masonry" and even advises Masons to study it diligently.9 But this claim is highly misleading. In actuality, the Bible is officially designated as a piece of "lodge furniture."10 In Utah, Masons place the Book of Mormon on their lodge altars. In India, the Hindu Vedras are placed on the altar, and in Muslim lands, the altar features the Koran.
The Masonic attitude toward the Bible is best summed up by an article that appears in the Masonic Bible that is published by Holman:11
"Thus, by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere every book of faith... joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes his oath on the Koran, and with the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best. For Masonry knows what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one... Therefore, it invites to its altar men of all faiths knowing that, if they use different names for "the Nameless One of a hundred names," they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man."
What incredible blasphemy of God and His Holy Word!
Finally, Masons try to defend themselves by pointing to the good works of the Masonic Order. But again, no one denies that Masons do many good works. Their good works are just not relevant to the issue. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that we are to do our good works in the name of Jesus so that He will receive the honor and glory (Colossians 3:17).
The Real Issue
The real issue is Jesus Christ. He calls us to be open about our faith. The Masons operate in secret. Jesus calls us to refrain from taking oaths. The Masons require blood oaths. Jesus call us to do all things in His name, to His honor and glory. Masons do their good works in the name of Masonry and to the glory of "The Great Architect of the Universe." The Word says Jesus is "the blessed and only potentate" (1 Timothy 6:14-15). Masons exalt their temple leaders by calling them spiritual titles like "Worshipful Master." Jesus said He is the only way to God. Masons argue there are many roads to God.
If you are a Christian and a Mason, I believe you should repent of your involvement and denounce the Masonic oaths you have taken. You should ask God to forgive you for ever having taken the oaths. You should resign your Masonic membership and rededicate yourself to Jesus and Him only.
Then you should start spending the time you used to spend in Masonry in your local church working to expand the Kingdom of God.
Good News Concerning the Masons
Masonic membership within the United States has been diminishing rapidly.
In 1958 the number of Masons in the U.S. stood at 4.2 million, or 2.4% of the total population.
By the beginning of 2005 the American membership had dropped to less than 1.5 million, or 0.6% of the population.
Most Masons today are over the age of 50. The movement is obviously dying, and we can be thankful for that.
Internet Resources
Ex-Masons for Jesus: http://www.emfj.org/ Ephesians 5:11: http://www.ephesians5-11.org/ Saints Alive for Jesus: http://www.saintsalive.com/ Notes
1) Carl Claudy, Introduction to Freemasonry (Morristown, NJ: The Temple Books, 1931). This book is still in print in the form of three pamphlets.
2) Henry Pirtle, Kentucky Monitor (Louisville, KY: The Standard Printing Co., 1921), page 32.
3) Holy Bible: Temple Illustrated Edition (Nashville, TN: A. J. Holman Company, 1968).
4) Charles H. Lacquement, "Freemasonry and Organized Religions," The Pennsylvania Freemason, February 1989.
5) Pirtle, pages xiv-xv.
6) Shaw & McKenney, pages 126-127.
7) Coil, pages 516-517.
8) Ankerberg & Weldon, page 85.
9) George Simmons and Robert Macoy, Standard Masonic Monitor (Richmond, VA: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply, 1971), page 21.
10) Carrico, page 19 and Ankerberg & Weldon, page 61.
11) Joseph Fort Newton, "The Bible and Masonry," an article in Holy Bible: Temple Illustrated Edition (Nashville, TN: A. J. Holman Co., 1968), pages 3-4.
