DEPARTMENT FOR YOUTH
Young people, feel free to send your questions to Dr. Gerard Van Groningen, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa. You may send these with or without identification Names of those asking questions will not be published. Don’t hesitate. Send your questions now.
Recently in a discussion by some students with a teacher, the question of a Christian’s membership in one secret society or another was raised. Few in the group knew what the issues really were. One of the group volunteered to do some work on the subject. After a few days he came up with the following report which includes his answer to the question of a Christian’s membership in the Masonic Lodge.
Freemasonry, the largest worldwide secret society, started as a union for stoneworkers who worked on cathedrals. The union was formed to make a distinction from ordinary stoneworkers. Their meeting places were called lodges. However, when a decline in cathedral building occurred, honorary members were admitted to strengthen the falling numbers. They were initiated into the myths, grips, passwords and symbols of the lodge.
In time the honorary members outnumbered the stoneworkers and the lodges came to be schools of morality where the old symbols were used to convey new ideas. The “modern” Freemason society—as it is sometimes known—was actually started with the formation of the Grand Lodge in England in 1717. From there it picked up ideas and rites from other secret societies until we have the organization as we know it today.
There are some essential features to Freemasonry which distinguish it from many other secret societies. These include their methods of recognizing other members, the right to visit any lodge, the belief in “God” and the immortality of the soul, and the belief that all Masons are equal.
Secrecy is necessary as is their symbolic way of teaching. Another main feature is their system of authority and achievement. These are graded in degrees with the thirty-second degree being the highest—Sovereign Grand Inspector General; and the first degree the lowest—the apprentice.
In proportion to population, Freemasonry has grown faster in the V.S. than any other country. The first lodge to receive a charter from the British homeland was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1773.
By the time of the American Revolution, there were seven grand masters and one hundred lodges. Often these lodges served as rallying points for the colonials; and by the time the revolution was over the lodges were no longer under control of Britain.
As the U.S. grew politically and economically, so did Freemasonry.
However, in the early 1800’s the abduction of Captain William Morgan—who was going to expose the Masonic society—started an anti-Masonic drive. Preachers, journalists and politicians all spoke out against them. Many members quit and many lodges were discontinued. In fact, the anti-Masons even started a political party. But this persecution died down and, after about ten years, having survived the upheaval, the organization again grew. In 1964 the lodges enrolled about one out of every twelve men in the U.S. However, they appealed more to the lower and working class men, failing to interest many of the upper class or intellectuals.
In the U.S. the organization of Freemasonry starts with Grand Lodges in every state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It then works down to other branches of lodges. Each of the Grand Lodges is recognized by the United Grand Lodge in England.
The Church and Freemasonry have always been opposed to each other. Actually, twenty-one years after the “modern” society started, Roman Catholics were forbidden to become members. The grounds for this condemnation were naturalism, demand for oaths, religious indifferentism, and it being a possible threat to the Church and State.
Many Protestant churches—including the Christian Reformed Church—and Protestant States, such as Holland and Sweden, also condemn the Masonic Fraternities. In fact in 1874 the National Christian Association was formed to coordinate Protestant opposition to Secret societies.
Freemasonry shows many aspects of religion, so it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It has temples, altars, prayers, a moral code, worship and feast days, reward and punishment in the after life and also many rites.
Such Christian doctrines as the Fall and the Incarnation are not considered proper discussion material in the lodge because they are too divisive. But every lodge is a religion and its teachings are instruction in religion.
Anyone may enter, although some lodges do make it very difficult for some people. The candidate first tries to become an apprentice because he seeks the “light.” He is promised that the lodge will provide the Ii~ht of spiritual instruction which he could not find elsewhere; and if he lives and dies according to Masonic principles, he will reach the “celestial” lodge.
Because of the membership of many Protestant laymen and ministers in lodges, the presence of the Bible, and the appointment of chaplains, many people receive the impression that Freemasonry is a Christian institution. However, the lodge forbids the use of Christ’s name in the lodge or in prayer because it would be offensive to non-Christian members.
From this and some of the above mentioned beliefs, it is my judgment that, while lodges permit and enjoy the membership of Christians, the Church cannot recognize a lodge member as a member of the instituted Church.
Should you desire to make a study of the entire problem, or some aspect of it, may I suggest you consult one or more sources such as these:
1. New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 3 vol.
2. Masonic Bible
3. Masonic Jurisprudence
4. Symbolism of Mystic Masonry
5. Symbolism of Freemasonry
6. Handbook of Secret Societies
7. Freemasonry, Its Character and Claims
Finally, do you think the following Scriptural instructions (among others) apply to the problem of a person’s membership in both the Church and Secret Societies?
1. In regard to distinctive covenant living, read: Gen. 12:1–3; 17:1–14; Ex. 19:5, 6; Deut. 7:5, 6; 8:2, 3; Isaiah 2:5–9; Matt. 5:13–16; Rom. 4:2–9; 12:1–3 (esp. vs. 10); James 2:10–13
2. In regard to a person’s devotion and worship read: Deut. 6:4–6; I Kings 18:21–39; Ezek. 8:1–18; Matt. 22:36–40; Phil. 1:9–11
3. In regard to making oaths, read: Matt. 5:33–37; James 3:7–12
4. In regard to the necessity to call upon Christ at all times and in all circumstances, read: Rom. 5:9–11; 9:31–39; 10:8–13; Col. 1:9–20
Young people, feel free to send your questions to Dr. Gerard Van Groningen, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa. You may send these with or without identification Names of those asking questions will not be published. Don’t hesitate. Send your questions now.
Recently in a discussion by some students with a teacher, the question of a Christian’s membership in one secret society or another was raised. Few in the group knew what the issues really were. One of the group volunteered to do some work on the subject. After a few days he came up with the following report which includes his answer to the question of a Christian’s membership in the Masonic Lodge.
Freemasonry, the largest worldwide secret society, started as a union for stoneworkers who worked on cathedrals. The union was formed to make a distinction from ordinary stoneworkers. Their meeting places were called lodges. However, when a decline in cathedral building occurred, honorary members were admitted to strengthen the falling numbers. They were initiated into the myths, grips, passwords and symbols of the lodge.
In time the honorary members outnumbered the stoneworkers and the lodges came to be schools of morality where the old symbols were used to convey new ideas. The “modern” Freemason society—as it is sometimes known—was actually started with the formation of the Grand Lodge in England in 1717. From there it picked up ideas and rites from other secret societies until we have the organization as we know it today.
There are some essential features to Freemasonry which distinguish it from many other secret societies. These include their methods of recognizing other members, the right to visit any lodge, the belief in “God” and the immortality of the soul, and the belief that all Masons are equal.
Secrecy is necessary as is their symbolic way of teaching. Another main feature is their system of authority and achievement. These are graded in degrees with the thirty-second degree being the highest—Sovereign Grand Inspector General; and the first degree the lowest—the apprentice.
In proportion to population, Freemasonry has grown faster in the V.S. than any other country. The first lodge to receive a charter from the British homeland was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1773.
By the time of the American Revolution, there were seven grand masters and one hundred lodges. Often these lodges served as rallying points for the colonials; and by the time the revolution was over the lodges were no longer under control of Britain.
As the U.S. grew politically and economically, so did Freemasonry.
However, in the early 1800’s the abduction of Captain William Morgan—who was going to expose the Masonic society—started an anti-Masonic drive. Preachers, journalists and politicians all spoke out against them. Many members quit and many lodges were discontinued. In fact, the anti-Masons even started a political party. But this persecution died down and, after about ten years, having survived the upheaval, the organization again grew. In 1964 the lodges enrolled about one out of every twelve men in the U.S. However, they appealed more to the lower and working class men, failing to interest many of the upper class or intellectuals.
In the U.S. the organization of Freemasonry starts with Grand Lodges in every state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It then works down to other branches of lodges. Each of the Grand Lodges is recognized by the United Grand Lodge in England.
The Church and Freemasonry have always been opposed to each other. Actually, twenty-one years after the “modern” society started, Roman Catholics were forbidden to become members. The grounds for this condemnation were naturalism, demand for oaths, religious indifferentism, and it being a possible threat to the Church and State.
Many Protestant churches—including the Christian Reformed Church—and Protestant States, such as Holland and Sweden, also condemn the Masonic Fraternities. In fact in 1874 the National Christian Association was formed to coordinate Protestant opposition to Secret societies.
Freemasonry shows many aspects of religion, so it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It has temples, altars, prayers, a moral code, worship and feast days, reward and punishment in the after life and also many rites.
Such Christian doctrines as the Fall and the Incarnation are not considered proper discussion material in the lodge because they are too divisive. But every lodge is a religion and its teachings are instruction in religion.
Anyone may enter, although some lodges do make it very difficult for some people. The candidate first tries to become an apprentice because he seeks the “light.” He is promised that the lodge will provide the Ii~ht of spiritual instruction which he could not find elsewhere; and if he lives and dies according to Masonic principles, he will reach the “celestial” lodge.
Because of the membership of many Protestant laymen and ministers in lodges, the presence of the Bible, and the appointment of chaplains, many people receive the impression that Freemasonry is a Christian institution. However, the lodge forbids the use of Christ’s name in the lodge or in prayer because it would be offensive to non-Christian members.
From this and some of the above mentioned beliefs, it is my judgment that, while lodges permit and enjoy the membership of Christians, the Church cannot recognize a lodge member as a member of the instituted Church.
Should you desire to make a study of the entire problem, or some aspect of it, may I suggest you consult one or more sources such as these:
1. New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 3 vol.
2. Masonic Bible
3. Masonic Jurisprudence
4. Symbolism of Mystic Masonry
5. Symbolism of Freemasonry
6. Handbook of Secret Societies
7. Freemasonry, Its Character and Claims
Finally, do you think the following Scriptural instructions (among others) apply to the problem of a person’s membership in both the Church and Secret Societies?
1. In regard to distinctive covenant living, read: Gen. 12:1–3; 17:1–14; Ex. 19:5, 6; Deut. 7:5, 6; 8:2, 3; Isaiah 2:5–9; Matt. 5:13–16; Rom. 4:2–9; 12:1–3 (esp. vs. 10); James 2:10–13
2. In regard to a person’s devotion and worship read: Deut. 6:4–6; I Kings 18:21–39; Ezek. 8:1–18; Matt. 22:36–40; Phil. 1:9–11
3. In regard to making oaths, read: Matt. 5:33–37; James 3:7–12
4. In regard to the necessity to call upon Christ at all times and in all circumstances, read: Rom. 5:9–11; 9:31–39; 10:8–13; Col. 1:9–20