Order of Former Freemasons

As a new believer, or new former Freemason, you may not yet fully understand what it means to be a real Christian. However do not worry, if you are committed to being one, than we encourage you to go to the area on this website entitled, Brick-by-Brick, which is a series of Bible-study lessons that will help you become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

If you claim to be a Christian, but are still not convinced that Freemasonry has deceived you by the principles it teaches, well you are not alone. Our purpose is, not to necessarily convince you, although we have convinced many Masons, but rather our goal is to expose the truth and let those who examine the evidence against Freemasonry decide for themselves.

For those of you who want to examine the evidence, we will now explore the blue lodge degrees more closely. In building our case against the teachings of Freemasonry, we shall use information from a number of reliable sources, including firsthand experience of former Freemasons, Grand Lodge documentation (i.e. Rituals, Lectures, and Monitors), well-known Masonic authors, and from Steven Tsoukalas, note worthy Christian author, professor at Asbury Theological Seminary and Executive Director of Sound Doctrine Ministries. For sake of those who are unaware of Freemasonry, let's begin building our case by laying a foundation by way of a little background regarding the Order.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry started in London in 1717. No one knows for certain how or why it started. However, having once practiced the art of Masonry and after comparing its teachings to that of the Holy Bible, I am convinced that it is one of Satan's most insidious and craftiest tricks he has ever pulled on mankind—second only to convincing the world that he doesn't even exist.

Not much is known about the very early, formative years, but not long after its inception, the three foundational degrees were formed. Today, many Masons will generally claim that Freemasonry is, "A Way of Life." A basic definition from a Masonic perspective, is that it is, "a system morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

The Structure of Blue Lodge Masonry

The Blue Lodge consists of 3 degrees, labeled after the trade of operative masonry:

Entered Apprentice (the first degree)

Fellow Craft (the second degree), and

Master Mason (the third, and considered the most sublime degree in all of Masonry)

Although there are higher degrees within the Order, these 3 degrees represent the foundation of the fraternity and, as such, are the prerequisites to the higher Orders of the York Rite, the Scottish Rite, and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

But is Freemasonry simply a fraternal organization with no religious or spiritual connotations? In part, Freemasonry takes the working tools of the operative Mason (those that build cathedrals, stone walls, architectual constructions, etc.) and, for purposes of its speculative fraternity, endows these tools with moral, religious, and spiritual meaning. Do these religious and spiritual meanings conflict with the basic teachings of biblical Christianity?

More importantly, how can Masonic author Carl Claudy make the following assertion?:

"The Master Mason learns that true Freemasonry gives to a man a well-spent life, and the assurance of a glorious immortality."

In exploring the reasons why Mr. Claudy makes such a statement, we will demonstrate that Freemasonry:

Teaches a false concept of God.

Teaches a false concept of Man's relationship to God.

Teaches a false concept of the Bible.

Teaches a false plan of salvation.

What Makes a Man a Mason?

The answer, his Obligations, which are administered through the Rituals of each degree within Freemasonry. Rituals are produced by Grand Lodges, which are the highest authority for all Masons. Lectures, which are part of some rituals and Monitors, are also produced by Grand Lodges, and contain portions of Ritual that explain the lessons and symbolizism of Freemasonry, such as the Lambskin Apron, the working tools of a Mason, as well as the Masonic funeral and memorial services.

The Most Reliable and Credible Sources

Since they are produced by the Grand Lodges that govern all subordinate lodges within a state or jurisdiction, we can quote from no better sources than Rituals, Lectures, and/or Monitors. The Christian case against the teachings of Freemasonry has as its foundation, the quotations from these Grand Lodge documents, and as an option, to buttress the quotes from well-known Masonic authors. To prove our case against Masonry, we must accurately quote these credible sources and compare their teachings with the teachings of biblical Christianity.

To be continued...