Eastern Arizona Courier
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Ask a Pastor: Is there anything wrong with the Masons?
Saturday, April 20, 2013
By Pastor R.A. MacDonald columnist | 2 comments
ANSWER: First, let me start out by saying that I have never been a Mason and so have no "inside" information as to what Masons do or how they do it. I have worked with men whom I knew to be involved with Freemasonry. They were hard workers and, from a social/neighborly perspective, good men. The organization does commendable work in communities around the world and supports charities such as Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The research I did to prepare to write this response was conflicting. Some spokesmen for the group claimed absolutely no religious intent for the organization, while others used God and �certain articles of religious belief� as an essential prerequisite for membership.
A famous evangelist of the 19th century by the name of Charles G. Finney left Freemasonry when he acknowledged Christ as his Savior and wrote at least one scathing book against it.
I can speak from one aspect only, and that is the Bible. At best, I have very serious concerns about joining any group � whether religious or secular � that holds back information from its members until they have "earned" the right to know it.
When Jesus was asked by the high priest of His doctrine, He replied, �. . . I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said� (John 18:20-21). Even in the Old Testament, although very few could serve as a priest in the tabernacle, everyone knew exactly what was going on inside and why. In fact, you didn�t even have to be Jewish to know as you could read about it for yourself in the Jewish Scriptures.
Grand Master Albert Pike, an authority on Masonic matters in America, said, �Masonry propagates no creed,� and �There has never been a false religion in the world� ("The Inner Sanctuary"). If that statement is true of Freemasonry today, then a Christian, in good faith, cannot believe the Bible and swear or promise or affirm or whatever in support of a heretical teaching like that!
Alleging to believe in a god is not the same as believing in the one true God of the Bible. Only a liar could pretend to honestly believe in Jesus and simultaneously affirm that it is good enough to believe in any god. Even if you justify it by saying that Jesus is "your God" and not the other guys�, you are still giving the other guys� god the same value as your own. In other words, you don�t need to believe any more strongly for your God than the pagan does for his. Friend, that isn�t faith. That�s convenience. If the very God of heaven means no more to you than that, you aren�t even saved. Your presence alone in that environment tells the guy next to you that his god is "OK with you." Well is it? Is it really OK with you if he winds up in hell � because that�s what the God of the Bible claims is going to happen!
Beware of secret passwords, handshakes, clothing items or names. Information, doctrine or "truths" known only to an elite group in a society or church is not only contrary to Scripture but feeds on pride. And pride is sin.
Do you have a question? You can contact Pastor MacDonald by writing to this paper or New Testament Baptist Church, 2501 S. 1st Ave., Safford, AZ 85546; e-mail: [email protected].
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