Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: January 28, 2007
CAN A CHRISTIAN BE A MASON?
Ben Justice
There is an estimated 5 to 6 million masons in the world, with 2 to 2.5 million in
the United States alone. These figures certainly show that this organization has
an influence upon millions of people. This is true with many organizations —
secular and religious. It is the obligation of every Christian to investigate each
organization for themselves to see if they are in harmony with Biblical teaching
(cf. I John 4:1). There may be some organizations that are purely secular that
Christians can be a part of. But, even if these secular organizations uphold
practices contrary to the teachings of God’s word (e.g. pro-abortion), then the
Christian can have absolutely nothing to do with such organizations (e.g. ACLU).
The only religious organization that Christians can be a part of is the Lord’s
church, for it, and it only, was founded by Christ and all others are rivals. In
fact, to be a member of another religious organization is to commit spiritual
adultery. Many have asked, “Is Masonry a religion?” If so, then Christians must
not be a part of it — PERIOD! In fact, they have the obligation to expose it (cf.
Eph. 5:11). Masonry is also known as “The Craft,” “The Brotherhood,” “The
Order,” “The Fraternal Order,” and “The Lodge.” Establishing the fact that
masonry is a religion is easy enough. Masonry’s own recognized authorities have
so stated.
Albert Mackey lived in the 1800’s and is recognized by Masons as one of the
greatest Masons to have ever lived. He wrote an encyclopedia on Freemasonry.
He stated the following about Masonry:
I contend without any sort of hesitation, that Masonry is, in every sense of the word except one,
and that its least philosophical, an eminently religious institution — that is indebted to the
religious element which it contains for its continued existence, and that without this religious
element it would scarcely be worthy of cultivation by the wise and the good. But, that I may be
fully understood, it will be well first to agree upon the true definition of religion.
Look at its ancient landmarks, its sublime ceremonies, its profound symbols and allegories — all
inculcating religious doctrine, commanding religious observance, and teaching religious truth, and
who can deny that it is eminently a religious institution? . . . (As quoted by Alva J. McClain,
“Freemasonry and Christianity,” www.spiritwatch.org)
Albert Mackey states emphatically in his encyclopedia, “Freemasonry is not
Christianity.” First, he makes the obvious claim that Masonry is indeed a
religion, but notes that it is not Christianity.
The master of the Lodge is called “Worshipful Master.” The Lodge is opened with
prayer and closed with prayer. Not a single prayer is in the name of Christ.
Masons pay their allegiance to a legendary character known as Hiram Abiff.
Concerning Abiff, one author noted the following:
When men are raised to Master Mason, each candidate is required to portray Hiram Abiff. In the
ritual of the third degree, the candidate as Hiram Abiff is unjustly killed, buried, and then raised
from the dead. At the conclusion of the degree, the candidate is given the following summary of
the meaning of the ritual.
Then, finally my brethren, let us imitate our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, in his virtuous conduct,
his unfeigned piety to God, and his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that, like him, we may welcome
the grim tyrant, Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent by our Supreme Grand Master,
to translate us from the imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the
Supreme Architect of the Universe presides (“Weighing the Counsel of Charles Finney and
Dwight L. Moody 19th Century Evangelist,” www.ephesians5-11.org).
The above quotation is pure blasphemy. This ritual has one imitating Hiram
Abiff. The Bible, however, teaches that we are to imitate Christ Jesus.
According to Masons, they are to imitate Hiram Abiff that the may welcome death
and be translated into heaven. According to Masons, Hiram Abiff is their Savior.
The ritual of the third degree directly tells us that by imitating Hiram Abiff,
Master Masons may get into Heaven. So, Freemasonry’s Savior has a name —
Hiram Abiff — not Jesus Christ.
Any honest and sincere person can clearly see that Masonry is in fact a religion.
When I was preaching in Alabama, there was an older gentleman who left the
Masonic Order, realizing that he could not be a Christian and a Mason. He told
me that he was a top Mason. After he left the Order, he received numerous
threats. Would to God that others would realize that Masonry is a religion! It is
sad indeed to see Christians wearing Mason rings, hats, pins, and other Masonic
paraphernalia. Jesus Christ is either first place or no place; He does not accept
second place (cf. Matt. 6:33). Masonry is a religion that must be exposed. No
Christian can embrace it and still expect to go to heaven!
AFRAID OF TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE?
Ben Justice
The Hebrews’ writer penned these words in Heb. 5:12-14 — “For when for the time
ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full
age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil.” It is clear from these verses that they didn’t want to grow. They didn’t
want to get past the baby stage. They were quite content to stay with the milk.
Milk is certainly necessary for spiritual growth (I Pet. 2:2). However, all
Christians should seek to grow (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18) to the point that they desire to
feast upon the meat of God’s word. It certainly appears that those to whom the
Hebrews’ writer wrote were afraid of too much knowledge. I’m afraid that their
breed hasn’t died out in the church. When some are challenged to think and to
study things they may have never studied before, they often criticize it? Some
have the idea that if they didn’t learn something the first few years after
becoming a Christian, they don’t need it. This not a godly attribute, but a
devilish one. Let us not be like the fellow who prayed, “Lord, make me
ignoranter, and ignoranter.” Spiritual maturity will come about when we get
passed the attitude of being afraid of too much knowledge. There are some
weighty things to study from God’s Word. There are things that challenge our
thinking so that we have to listen and pay careful attention. Let us never grow
weary to grow into mature Christians. Let us accept the challenge to learn all
that we can this side of eternity.