We’ve been looking at the difference between Christianity and other major religions – particularly their teaching about how to get to heaven. Today we look at Freemasonry.
The origins of Freemasonry are probably in the twelfth century when some English masons founded a fraternity to guard the secrets of their craft and settle disputes.
Today Freemasonry is still surrounded in secrecy and rituals but is not restricted to masons any longer. Freemasonry is not so much a religion as an international organisation to which people from all religions are welcome. Members affirm a commitment to a ‘God’ but deliberately do not use the name Jesus Christ. Therefore their vows of commitment are to an unnamed deity and are inappropriate for a Christian to take. There is only one God that Christians are to believe in: ‘We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true–even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life’ (1 John 5:20).
Concerning salvation, Freemasonry teaches that through good works man will ascend to ‘the Grand Lodge Above’. Therefore Freemasons are strongly encouraged to commit to social and welfare activities. But Christianity teaches that good works do not save anyone. Because everyone is wicked, God is not obligated to admit anyone into the ‘grand lodge above’: ‘As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath’ (Ephesians 2:1-3). If you are to get a ticket into the ‘grand lodge above’ it must be through God giving it to you freely. And that gift comes through faith. Paul writes: ‘Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness’ (Romans 4:4-5).
Do you affirm Jesus Christ is God and commit to him alone? And do you trust in Jesus death for your salvation?
Joel Radford
God richly bless you for this apologetic piece that has explained the fundamental differences between the WAY (Christianity) and the other way (Freemasonry). Indeed, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life no one goes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6)