Over the weekend, some family members and I found ourselves talking about the Free Masons. This mysterious fraternity has captured the imagination of many - be they Seventh-day Adventists who like a good conspiracy or Hollywood producers who like money. For the former group, the Free Masons are behind the scenes when it comes to everything going on in the world. Be it 9/11 or the impending "Sunday laws," the Free Masons are working overtime to bring about a One World Order.
Or so the thinking goes.
Some of us, of course, remain unconvinced.
I have talked and dialogued at length with individuals - who I have no doubt are sincere in their faith - who always pull out the Free Mason label as a trump card. "So-and-so is a 33rd degree Free Mason," they will say - as if this label has the power to end all discussion. It is assumed, I suppose, that everyone knows Free Masons are engaging in some sinister plot and thus, simply labeling someone as such is enough to silence any rebuttal.
This weekend, one of my family members pulled out the double trump card however, and said, "Free Masons are a bad group and Ellen White says we should stay away from them!" Unfortunately for this person, we happened to have quick access to the Ellen G. White CD-Rom and decided to look up just what Ellen White says on the Free Masons. I think everyone would benefit from a perusal of her views on this group.
Basically, Ellen White addresses the topic in about five different places, and each time it is abundantly clear that she does give counsel to stay away from associating with the Free Masons. However, one must read why she advises we stay away from them before prognosticating about how they are trying to take over the world. Much to many people's surprise, no doubt, the reasons she gives for avoiding them have nothing to do with their alleged satanic rituals or sinister plots to take over the world. Rather, the reasons she gives as to why one should avoid the Free Masons is about the same reasons she would give for not hanging out in a bar.
Here is her most exhaustive treatment on them, taken from the book Evangelism. Note carefully why she says we should avoid them, as well as noting what she doesn't say about them. If one does a careful examination of her views on the Free Masons, he or she will have to admit that the conspiratorial views on the Free Masons are more the result of sketchy websites than any explanation by Inspiration.
But onto Ellen White (all emphases supplied):
The Lord's injunction, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers," refers not only to the marriage of Christians with the ungodly, but to all alliances in which the parties are brought into intimate association, and in which there is need of harmony in spirit and action. . . .The Lord declares through the prophet Isaiah: "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." Isaiah 8:9-13.There are those who question whether it is right for Christians to belong to the Free Masons and other secret societies. Let all such consider the scriptures just quoted. If we are Christians at all, we must be Christians everywhere, and must consider and heed the counsel given to make us Christians according to the standard of God's Word. . . .When we accepted Christ as our Redeemer, we accepted the condition of becoming laborers together with God. We made a covenant with Him to be wholly for the Lord; as faithful stewards of the grace of Christ, to labor for the upbuilding of His kingdom in the world. Every follower of Christ stands pledged to dedicate all his powers, of mind and soul and body, to Him who has paid the ransom money for our souls. We engaged to be soldiers, to enter into active service, to endure trials, shame, reproach, to fight the fight of faith, following the Captain of our salvation.In your connection with worldly societies, are you keeping your covenant with God? Do these associations tend to direct your own mind or that of others to God, or are they diverting the interest and attention from Him? Do they strengthen your connection with the divine agencies, or turn your mind to the human in place of the divine?Are you serving, honoring, and magnifying God, or are you dishonoring Him and sinning against Him? Are you gathering with Christ or scattering abroad? All the thought and plan and earnest interest devoted to these organizations, has been purchased by the precious blood of Christ; but are you doing service for Him when uniting yourselves with atheists and infidels, men who profane the name of God, tipplers, drunkards, tobacco devotees?While there may be in these societies much that appears to be good, there is, mingled with this, very much that makes the good of no effect, and renders these associations detrimental to the interests of the soul. . . .I ask you who take pleasure in these associations, who love the gathering for indulgence in wit and merriment and feasting, Do you take Jesus with you? Are you seeking to save the souls of your companions? Is that the object of your association with them? Do they see and feel that there is in you a living embodiment of the Spirit of Christ? Is it manifest that you are a witness for Christ, that you belong to a peculiar people, zealous of good works? Is it manifest that your life is governed by the divine precepts, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"?....Those who cannot discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not, may be charmed with these societies that have no connection with God, but no earnest Christian can prosper in such an atmosphere. The vital air of heaven is not there. His soul is barren, and he feels as destitute of the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain.At times the follower of Christ may by circumstances be compelled to witness scenes of unholy pleasure, but it is with a sorrowful heart. The language is not the language of Canaan, and the child of God will never choose such associations. When he is necessarily brought into society that he does not choose, let him lean upon God, and the Lord will preserve him. But he is not to sacrifice his principles in any cases, whatever the temptation.Christ will never lead His followers to take upon themselves vows that will unite them with men who have no connection with God, who are not under the controlling influence of His Holy Spirit. The only correct standard of character is the holy law of God, and it is impossible for those who make that law the rule of life to unite in confidence and cordial brotherhood with those who turn the truth of God into a lie, and regard the authority of God as a thing of nought.Between the worldly man and the one who is faithfully serving God, there is a great gulf fixed. Upon the most momentous subjects,--God and truth and eternity,--their thoughts and sympathies and feelings are not in harmony. One class is ripening as wheat for the garner of God, the other as tares for the fires of destruction. How can there be unity of purpose or action between them? "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Evangelism, pp. 617-620).
So, at heart, what were the issues Ellen White had with the Free Masons - or, more specifically, what was her reason for saying Christians (Seventh-day Adventist Christians, at that) should stay away from "association" with them? Here are the main reasons I gathered:
- Though Free Masons require its members to believe in a Supreme Being, they ask each member to check his religion at the door. Hence, Ellen White writes, "If we are Christians at all, we must be Christians everywhere."
- Instead of directing one's mind to God, such associations direct one's mind to the world and man: "Do these associations tend to direct your own mind or that of others to God, or are they diverting the interest and attention from Him? Do they strengthen your connection with the divine agencies, or turn your mind to the human in place of the divine?"
- The environment creates an attitude that encourages revelry and licentiousness by associating with those who willingly lead a different lifestyle than the Christian: "Are you doing service for Him when uniting yourselves with atheists and infidels, men who profane the name of God, tipplers, drunkards, tobacco devotees? . . . [who] love the gathering for indulgence in wit and merriment and feasting."
- It forces a person to be "unequally yoked," by committing to those who do not have a connection with God: "Christ will never lead His followers to take upon themselves vows that will unite them with men who have no connection with God, who are not under the controlling influence of His Holy Spirit. The only correct standard of character is the holy law of God, and it is impossible for those who make that law the rule of life to unite in confidence and cordial brotherhood with those who turn the truth of God into a lie, and regard the authority of God as a thing of nought."
Furthermore, she said that there is "much that appears to be good" with the Free Masons, and that any commitment to them is a "cordial brotherhood." There is no mention of satanic rituals or sinister plots to take over the world. Instead, the attitude she has towards Christians being involved with the Free Masons is about the same attitude she would have toward a young Christian joining a college fraternity. Simply put, these are to be avoided because of the immoral and licentious behavior that takes place, the time that is wasted on useless activities, and the fact that these secular/worldly associations divert one's mind away from God.
It would be well for us to remember the full context of Paul's counsel about things that happen in secret, in a passage that is a favorite of many conspiracy theorists: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [NKJV marginal reading] them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret" (Ephesians 5:11-12). Why, then, do some spend so much time "speaking" of things that are done in secret, when Paul says it is "shameful" to do so?
Of course, I am sure that there are people who could provide evidence after evidence about how "evil" the Free Masons are. Some could perhaps even share personal stories about the scary stuff they have personally encountered in regards to this. Those things are all well and good, but I want to spend my time, not constantly searching for conspiracies, but focusing on the positive aspects of the Gospel and relying upon Inspiration for my views on the negatives of "secret societies."
This is my only safety.
4 comments:
On the one hand, we have the silly stuff promulgated by certain conspiracy theorists who shall be nameless--the stuff you mention.
On the other hand, there are a lot of churches that have historically been anti-Masonic, including Roman Catholics and Lutherans (besides fundamentalists). For even liberal Lutherans, a pastor may be defrocked for membership in a society "that claims to have ceremonies given by Christ that were not given to the church." Historically, these denominations were concerned by the very real conspiracies that Freemasons were involved in during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Masonic lodge provided a convenient meeting place for revolutionaries (including the American and Texas revolutionaries). While Masonry professes belief in a god, it is the god of the Deists that is worshiped.
A theological issue of concern is that Masonry believes in the natural immortality of the soul, and that entrance into "the celestial lodge of the Grand architect of the universe" is through works.
As a Lutheran pastor in Pennsylvania 25 years ago, I was the target of some Masons who asked me the first night I was interviewed what I thought of masonry. I gave the response that as a pastor I was forbidden to join. A couple of folks decided that was enough to work to undermine me. Some of their fellow members disagreed with their hostility, but wouldn't do anything to counter a lodge brother--lodge ties were stronger than church ties.
I've known some good Masons. Many of my family members are lodge members. My daughter benefited from the Shriners' hospital.
So, lots more reasons to be concerned than are suggested in those EGW quotes. But all fall far short of the silly conspiracies.
Well put, Bill! I fully concur with what you have said.
Although, I do have a question: if Roman Catholics have been historically anti-Masonic, how are the Masons in cahoots with the Jesuits, then??
I trust you sense my sarcasm! That is the really the biggest issue I have with the anti-Masonic rhetoric - the conspiracies. It is not outside the realm of my thinking that there may be some very questionable rituals the Masons have. It is probably very likely that there are many very influential people inside and outside our government that are Masons (a fact that the Masons, themselves, openly admit - as a point of pride, no doubt - even naming names). But such does not mean that they have some sinister plot to take over the world.
Sadly, many sincere Adventists have drunk the conspiracy Kool-Aid, though. I have had individuals tell me how they knew certain SDA church officials were Masons based upon hand-gestures they had allegedly made which were Masonic gestures. And these are intelligent people buying into this stuff!
One, I highly doubt there are church officials who are Masons, and two, even if there is (which, I repeat, seems HIGHLY unlikely), does this mean they are trying to lead the Adventist church into some sinister place borne out of their Masonic agenda?
I have been friends on the job with 2 high level Freemasons, most recently a man who was 32nd degree. He liked to bring up controversial topics, (like his association in that group) just to get me on the defensive in the conversation, so I would return the favor by talking to him about the gospel. :-) He was raised in the Episcopal Church and was usually open to discussing “religion” as long as things didn’t get to personal. Several times he mentioned his association with Freemasonry, and scoffed at the idea that there was anything sinister about it. However, one question he would never answer was, “If Freemasonry has nothing to hide, why all the secrecy?” I presented the secrecy issue to him as antithetical to the demands of the gospel to confess our sins to God and live an open and honest life before our fellow man. I think I had a positive influence on him, because he quickly discovered that I knew what I believed and could defend it from the Bible, but I was never able to get past superficial issues with him.
I think it’s interesting that Isaiah 8:9-13 is referenced in this statement from Evangelism. The word keh'•sher, translated “confederacy” in the KJV, seems to be a poor translation. The word really means: “1) conspiracy, treason, (unlawful) alliance”, so it appears to me that God, through Ellen White, is connecting Freemasonry with conspiracy even if she didn’t specifically discuss that issue in this case.
The other point which comes out clearly in this statement from Evangelism is that those who associate in secret societies, like Freemasonry, have no connection with God. The Bible is quite clear on this issue; either we are friends of God or we are friends of the world and at enmity with God (James 4:4); either we are connected with God or we are connected with Satan the prince of this world. I don’t see much middle ground there.
I have no doubt that the vast majority of Freemasons have no evil intent or participation in conspiracy, but according to ex-members, the “god” of Freemasonry is not the God of the Bible. That leaves only one other option and he is most definitely in “conspiracy” against the truth and every righteous principle which the United States used to be built upon. Revelation 13:11-18 is pretty clear that the world is both “deceived” and “caused” to make an image to the beast and to worship it, and that this is done by human beings under the direction of the first beast and dragon. There are too many freedom destroying events falling on dates derived from occult numerology, for me to buy into the coincidence theory of history. To what degree these events are planned or known by Freemasonry can be debated all day, but somebody is working behind the scenes and the effects are just what prophecy has predicted.
The thing that has concerned me, as I have talked to SDA friends over the years, is that many seem to have a “peace and safety” attitude about life. They seem blissfully unaware and unconcerned about events of huge significance. They have forgotten that there’s an unseen great controversy taking place in which we are called to wake up and make our allegiance known. The main point that I see in Ellen White’s statement about Freemasonry, is that we should be cautious about our associations. We are daily making choices which mold character. We could be involved in conspiracy against God and not even realize it, but our character will ultimately reveal whose side we are on and whether we receive the seal of God or the mark of the Beast.
Isn't it enough that Ellen White says that a Freemason's soul is at stake?
"The Lord also revealed to me Brother Faulkhead's connection with the Free Masons, and I plainly stated that unless he severed every tie that bound him to these associations he would lose his soul." {3SM 85.3} Faulkhead was a member of 5 Masonic lodges and had 3 others under his control.
I would disagree with the brush strokes that you use to paint those who warn about Freemasonry. Those who know anything about this order know that there are many societies and orders that sometimes work together and sometimes apart. I think very few would say that all the problems and conspiracies in the world and through history are the work of Freemasons especially since their membership today is aging and dwindling in numbers. They are one player on a stage with a large cast. Anyone who studies into history very deeply will see that bankers are involved in many wars, so are Jesuits, and many others besides Masons. The reason is not difficult to grasp, "The Love of Money is the root of all evil." That verse is the foundation of all conspiracy theory.
It is not hard to understand that people bind themselves together to accomplish great goals beyond the ability of one person... like the Tower of Babel project where God said "the people is one" and because of one language they are not restrained from accomplishing anything they imagine.
There is always the social aspect of any confederacy, even the Teachers Union has that, but you are incorrect to imply that in SOP "There is no mention of satanic rituals or sinister plots to take over the world." As I said, Freemasonry is just one of many secret societies and Ellen White states:
"A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama,--Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.--Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 27, 28. "
I will also dispute your statement that "It is assumed, I suppose, that everyone knows Free Masons are engaging in some sinister plot" (I know you are being facetious). As Seventh Day Adventists, we have many conspiracy theories, actually, conspiracy facts from prophecy that the Roman Catholic church is the beast from the sea. This church is conspiring with Satan. But we know that this conspiracy is not broadcast to all Catholics, not even all Jesuits. And we don't look at every Catholic or Jesuit as an enemy threat, but we do our best to warn and help them see clearly to get out. Jesuits are an order of the RCC, and the RCC has many orders and it also has a lodge system that includes Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, etc. The Protestant equivalent of orders and lodges are the Freemasons, the Eastern Star, Rotary Club, Lions Club etc. The danger is not that everyone is in on a master conspiracy, but that they are in a confederacy that trumps not only their allegiance to God, but also to fellow men that are not members. This is the danger of trade unions that Ellen White warns so much about as a major player in end time events. Masonic lodges at the local level are mostly used for networking opportunities, they act as a kind of gentlemen's "union", which is probably why Ellen White lumps them together:
"We are not to unite with secret societies or with trades unions." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 84 (1902).
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