Masonry

World Religions: Masonry

What is the origin of Masonry?
Originally, the ‘masons’ were simply a guild of stone workers in Europe during the Middle Ages. Individual members of the guild shared various religious perspectives with the group. In the 17th century, these close-knit guilds began allowing non-masons to join what was becoming an active fraternal organization. By 1717, the Grand Lodge of England was formed, uniting masons throughout the country. Masonry soon spread throughout the developing world.

How does it work?
Many communities have a Masonic Lodge. Men can either be invited or request membership and begin progressing through various degrees of Masonry. Membership appears to be on the decline (roughly 5 million), but Masonry has often yielded considerable influence relative to its size.

Is Masonry a religion?
Not all Masons think of Masonry in the same way.
 For many (perhaps most), being a Mason just means being part of a social club/fraternity and is akin to joining the Rotary or Lion’s Club.
 For others, Masonry is an understanding of 4 key principles (The Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the immortality of the soul, and Masonry as the hope of the future).
 Still others think of Masonry as the 1 true religion. This variety of Masonry tends to be very mystical and is connected to paganism and occult practices.
The higher up you go in Masonry, the more ‘religious’ it becomes. On the back, we’ll focus on religious Masonry.
What do Masons believe?
 God: Masons must confess theism (atheists are excluded). Members are granted freedom to define God however they want. As they rise up the ranks, members are informed that the gods of various religions are the same God. In the highest degrees of Masonry, God is defined as pantheistic.
 Salvation: Masons believe that, in the end, all men will be saved (universalism). Salvation comes by acknowledging the truth of Masonry and, therefore, engaging in personal reformation (toward good works).

What are the significant symbols/rituals?
Symbols and ritual are used to teach Masonic ideals. The most famous symbol uses the square, compass, and often the letter G to emphasize morality, spirituality and God respectively.

What is good about Masonry?
 Masons are theistic
 Masons emphasize close fellowship/brotherhood
 Masons may be motivated by a desire for ultimate unity
 Masons are active in various ‘good works’

What is bad about Masonry?
 Masonry is a ‘secret society’
 Its higher degrees are thoroughly paganized
 It ultimately rejects the uniqueness of Jesus Christ
 It calls for the full allegiance of its members

Can a Christian be a Mason?
A Christian man might be ignorant of the teachings of Masonry and treat his Lodge just like one would treat any other social fraternity. But if a man comes to acknowledge the religious nature of Masonry, it would seem necessary for him to leave the Lodge out of allegiance to Christ.

From Selfishness to Submission (5:21-6:9)

EPHESIANS 5:21-6:9
- From Selfishness to Submission -

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”

Relationships to Consider
1. What should I do?
2. Why should I do it?
3. What should happen if I do it?

Wives to Husbands…
1. Christian wives should submit to their husbands in a similar manner to how they and the broader church submit to Christ (complete submission).
2. They should do this because, in a spiritual sense, the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church.
3. In this submission, wives should expect to receive vital connection, rational direction, and active protection from their husbands.

Husbands to Wives…
1. Christian husbands should love their wives in a similar manner to how Christ loves the Church (sacrificially with her purity and future in mind) and to how they themselves love their bodies (taking care of them).
2. They should do this because they are symbols of Christ and because, in a spiritual sense, husbands and wives truly are one flesh.
3. In this love, husbands should expect to receive respect from their wives.

Children to Parents…
1. Christian children should obey their parents (in the Lord).
2. They should do this because it is the right thing to do and may be motivated by the promise of blessing.
3. In this obedience, children should expect to not be provoked to anger, but to be properly trained in the way of the Lord.

Slaves to Masters…
1. Christian slaves should obey their earthly masters in a similar manner to how they obey Christ.
2. They should do this because in doing so they may find favor with their master, but also because they’ve truly learned what it means to submit in their heart.
3. In this obedience, they should expect reward from the Lord (if they have a non-Christian master) or good treatment from their master (if they have a Christian master, since he will realize that they are both equal citizens of the 1 true Master).

Questions to Consider
1. How has the command the wives submit to their husbands been mis-used? (5:22)
2. Should we be surprised when Christian wives don’t submit to husbands? (5:24)
3. Don’t lots of people hate their bodies? (5:29)
4. Why did the 1st Commandment come with this promise? (6:3)
5. Why didn’t God simply abolish slavery? (6:5-9)