The Christian Mason #1: “Keeping the Faith”

D. David Will, Jr.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33.

Dearest Brethren, there is a disturbing trend that is beginning to crop up in Freemasonry: it is a loss of Faith amongst some Members. It is true that throughout the history of Masonry, it has seen many attacks by members of the Christian faith, whether it be Protestant or Catholic. This has been the cause of some Masons to become disillusioned with their Faith on the basis of a perceived persecution. For others, it means walking away from the Fraternity rather than face difficulties in the Church, or with family members over their participation. Someone very wise Brother once wrote me and said, “There is a difference between who you are and whose you are.” I am a Mason, but I belong to Christ. Nothing will ever hinder my faith in the Fatherhood of God, and the salvation of our Savior Christ. To me, my Masonry complements my faith. Just because there are those in the Church who are against Masonry, that does not mean that the Church Universal, the Body of Christ, stands against it. The purpose of this series of articles, is to illustrate the compatibility of Masonry with the Christian Faith, and take a much needed stand Faith so that the Christian Brethren may have strength in the face of adversity.

The amount of opposition against Freemasonry is staggering. With a simple search on the Internet, you will find a number of “experts” on the topic that claim to have all of the answers: about how “lower-level” Masons have been duped for hundreds of years, and how only the “elite” of Masonry know the real truth. These sites make wild claims of Luciferian alliances and occult behavior that undermines the Faith of Christians who would dare step through the doors of the Lodge. They claim reliability because they have proof from an unnamed upper-level Mason who supposedly quit the Lodge because of what they learned. Note that these upper-level Masons remain unnamed in their articles. So, when Masons are presented with this information, they are oft told to make a choice, their Faith or their Lodge. This is a choice that should never need to be made. These claims are founded on lies.

Yes, Freemasonry admittedly places no religion or creed above another. However, the Volume of Sacred Law that Masonic Oaths are taken on and are place on Altars throughout the world, is the Holy Bible. As a Christian, I recognize the fact that as referring to it as a Volume of Sacred Law, the Bible is reinforced as being not only the source of Law, but the authority therein. In making my Masonic Oaths upon the Holy Bible and recognizing its authority, I further pledge that I will follow its teachings throughout my life. The most important of these is, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” For me, as a Christian and a Mason, this does not hinder my Faith, but strengthen it. Furthermore, for Brethren who may not share my Faith in Christ, I serve as an example of His life and teachings for them.

Growing up, I was surrounded by many great examples of Christian men who were Brethren of the Lodge. Half of the Deacons in the Baptist Church that I was raised in wore their Masonic lapel pins to Church every Sunday. In fact, one of them, a dear man named Delvin Simms stood by my side as I walked into the Lodge for the first time for my Entered Apprentice Degree. Later, I joined the Episcopal Church, and came to learn that our parish Priest was a Brother as well. Men who I have admired and respected my whole life have been men of Christ and Brothers in the Lodge both.

The imagery of the Masonic ritual is used to illustrate Biblical Truths. In the early days of Masonry, many men could not read. Symbolism was used to express ideas and make them easy to remember. In keeping with the idea of being speculative stonemasons, the early Freemasons developed an elaborate system of expressing these Truths through the imagery of operative stonemasons – namely Working Tools. The Hiramic Legend, to the Christian Mason, is not a plan of “Masonic Salvation,” as the anti-Masonic cadre would say, but rather is an illustration of our death to human desire and rebirth in Christ. In the legend, Hiram (who represents man) is accosted by those who have succumbed to human desires. The three ruffians try to steal from him the Word of a Master Mason, which would allow them to take that which was not theirs. Instead of giving into the world’s desires, he chooses to die to the world and trust in that Great Architect of the Universe for his Salvation. Contrary to popular belief, this Great Architect is not a Masonic God, but rather Jehovah the Father, the God of Abraham and Isaac. In death, he is Raised by the Lion’s Paw. This is a clear reference to Christ, who was called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Hiram died to the world, was buried, and was raised again in Christ, lifted from death by His very Hand! This is a beautiful representation of Baptism in Christ. In fact, when I was in college I attended a Church where the Pastor baptized Christians with the following words, “Dead to sin, buried in Christ, and raised to walk in newness of Life.” In putting our faith in Christ, we die to sin. Our burial in Christ is our submersion in the waters of Baptism. When we raise up our of the water to walk in Life, that is our rebirth in Faith!

There are many fine examples of Christian men who have found light in Masonry. The Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, the frequently-quoted founder of Guideposts Magazine, and author of the book The Power of Positive Thinking, was a 33º Scottish Rite Mason. He is quoted as saying, “Though it is not a religion, as such, it supplements faith in God the Creator. It is supporting of morality and virtue. Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It offers no sacraments. It teaches that it is important for every man to have a religion of his own choice and to be faithful to it in thought and action… I think that a good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by his membership in the Lodge.” For Peale, he was not alone in his belief. He went on to say that, “Many of my best friends, associates, and fellow Christians are Freemasons and good churchmen as well.” Dave Thomas, the Founder of Wendy’s, was a devout Christian and avid supporter of children’s charities. Adopted, he worked his whole life for the cause of adoption, raising millions of dollars. Dave Thomas was 33º as well. He found in Masonry the reinforcement of his Christian ideals of charity and love. A follower of the Golden Rule, Dave Thomas did unto others what he would have wanted done unto him. He has worked to raise money to aid in the adoption of thousands of children just like him. The men of Freemasonry have donated countless hours of time and millions of dollars to charitable organizations in an effort to be of great service to the world.

So why is Masonry persecuted by those who don’t understand? Society fears that which it cannot control. Masonry has proven in it’s history to be boundless. Adolf Hitler tried to stamp out Masonic Light in Germany, but failed. In the face of great oppression, Masons in Russia found new ways to identify each other that were harder to comprise than the grip and word! Because Masonry is believed to be a “secret” organization, those who argue against the Fraternity are afraid of what we may be hiding, and therefore use wild claims of upper-echelon secrets that most do not know about. As a Mason, I can tell you that the only things that are considered “secret” are our means of identifying each other. Also, if a Brother in the Lodge is in need of a helping hand, we do not broadcast this information on every street corner, nor do we stand up and piously shout that we benevolently aided this poor, downtrodden individual. Rather, we step forward and do our Christian duty to help those in need. These are not “secrets,” but a matter of privacy. Some feel that Freemasons shouldn’t have the right to the privacy enjoyed within the Fraternity, and attempt to undermine it by planting the idea that if it is not readily disclosed that it must be condemned.

So, with membership in an organization deeply rooted in Christianity, why should we as Christians be phased by the attacks? It is difficult to stand up and defend ourselves from the onslaught, especially in the Internet Age, where anyone who has a computer can become an instant authority. I implore the Christian Mason to stand up for themselves, and not allow their Faith to be compromised. Not all Christians believe in the same manner. Remember that often the loudest voices are found in the smallest of groups. One of the problems within Masonry today is that there aren’t many that are willing to stand in the face of these attacks and prove them wrong. This is possibly our biggest failing. In silence, we invite further attack. Remember Christ’s sacrifice that He made for us, and his Teachings. He told us that there would be difficult times for men of Faith. Those who would attack Masonry and use falsehood to promote an agenda do nothing but undermine the Church. By being a good example of a Christian Mason, you not only strengthen the Church through your Faith in Christ, but also cast the lodge in a positive light in the eyes of the community. Remain always in prayer, and when it seems that the world opposes you, remember Christ’s words in John 16:33, I have overcome the world.

So mote it be. Amen.