Is Gambling Unchristian
I have often addressed the confusing and controversial subject of Freemasonry. My 2003 DVD 'Freemasonry vs. Christianity: The Bible, The Lodge, and You' is one of the longest videos we have ever produced at nearly two hours in length. In particular, my concern has been the spiritual implications of mixing Christianity and the Lodge. Recently, I received an email from someone asking for help concerning this issue.
The email explained that a couple, who are Lodge members, have appealed to the leadership of the writer's home church to become members and now, though the church constitution forbids the church from accepting members of secret societies, the church is now considering changing their church constitution to allow Masons to become members. Below is my response.
Here are some ideas and facts that may help you communicate why Christianity and Freemasonry are not biblically compatible.
I know it appears very narrow at first glance but I believe that membership in Masonry is a make-it-or-break-it issue because of the dark, even demonic roots of Freemasonry. This doesn’t mean that everyone involved with the Lodge is demon possessed or a bad person. Many in the Lodge are there because they thought it was a “Christian” civic group and have been led there by friends, family and even clergy. Of course we don't want to deter Masons from attending church, but where do we draw the line? After all, Christians know that Jesus is the answer for the spiritual lost and deceived. Shouldn't we desire everyone to find the help and hope offered through a born-again relationship with Christ, solid Bible teaching, and fellowship with others who've found His truth? Of course. But should we allow members of a group like Freemasonry or other cults more than a seat in the pew? The biblical answer is absolutely not.
That ‘something for nothing’ mentality is certainly unchristian, as is the love of money which gambling so often induces (I Tim. Christians are known for doing some good things: helping the poor, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, uplifting the downtrodden, fighting for. The 'Christian' habit of gambling on God. Christian scholars agree that the unequal distribution of income is not inherently unChristian or unjust, so long as the. How does God view social gambling between friends? My buddies and I enjoy getting together for a game of poker now and then. Everybody who knows anything about the game understands that it's just not the same if it doesn't include a real risk of some kind, however small. How do you feel about Christians playing games of chance and betting a nickel, a dime, a quarter, maybe a dollar at times. For you, gambling would be wrong - even though it might not be wrong for others. Because, for you, you would not be following the practices and beliefs you profess. It depends, therefore, on what it is that you believe you should be doing, as a Christian.
If we are willing to follow the Scriptures in our decision-making then just the three short points I will share below should be sufficient to make the case. However, when Christian leaders endorse the notion that Lodge or Eastern Star members may jointly hold membership in a local church body as well they are in disagreement with Scripture. By doing so they are allowing the Enemy ample room to operate on many fronts.
Reason #1 - The Swearing of Secret Oaths
The fact is that most Christians do not understand and are ignorant about the workings of the Lodge but the very fact that one must swear an oath of secrecy and even pronouncing a death curse on one’s own self in each of the first three degrees (Blue Lodge) should be a strong statement to biblical Christians that something is askew. Here’s part of the first and third degree oaths from the Masonic Blue Lodge ceremony taken directly out of the Lodge handbook.
“As this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots and with my body, buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs flows twice in twenty-five hours, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate or transgress this, my Entered Apprentice obligation. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.”
(First Degree)
“All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels torn from thence and burned to ashes, and these scattered before the four winds of Heaven, that no more remembrance might be had among men or Masons of so vile a wretch as I should be, should I in the least knowingly or willfully violate or transgress this, my Master Mason obligation. So help me God and make me steadfast…”
(Third Degree)
In Matthew 5:34-37 Jesus said, 'But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.'
Reason #2 - Masonry is NOT Christian in Creed or in its 'god'
If Jesus admonition against swearing oaths weren't enough, masonry’s own most noted writers denote it as a religion and one, Albert Mackey, makes certain to proclaim that that religion is NOT Christianity.
“Freemasonry is NOT Christianity nor a substitute for it…but the religion of Masonry is not sectarian. It admits men of every creed within its hospitable bosom, rejecting none and approving none for his particular faith…Masonry is, indeed, a religious institution…”
The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p. 618-619, Albert G. Mackey, 1921
“Every Masonic Temple is a Temple of Religion, and its teachings are instructions in religion.”
The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 213
Manly P. Hall, 33o, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co, Richmond, VA, 1976
'God is equally present with the pious Hindu in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church.' Albert Mackey, Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Richmond: Macoy Publishing, 1966, 1:409-410.
At the Shrine level (32nd and 33rd degree Masons), the initiate swears a binding oath in the name of 'Allah, the God of our Fathers.' This might clear up for some why the motif of the Shriners is Islamic (including the crescent moon, star, and sword: the three primary symbols of Islam) and why so many Shrine centers around the world have Arabic names. (click)
The deity spoken of again and again in Masonic writings is JoBulOn (also JoaBulOn), which is a composite god representing Jehovah, Baal, and Osiris. Whenever the Mason pronounces that name in the Masonic prayer of worship, they probably have no idea that in doing so they have defiled the Holy name of God.
Reason #3 - Masonry Espouses Universalism
Perhaps most convicting is the fact that universalism and a false identity of God are clearly presented in the introduction pages of the King James Bibles that are handed out to Blue Lodge graduates (3rd degree). I personally have Masonic Bibles from Washington, Idaho, Texas, and South Carolina that clearly enunciate that Masonry accepts all religions as valid paths to “the nameless one of a hundred names.” This idea is an affront to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ! If Hinduism or Islam were paths to meet the one true God then why would that God have sent His Son to die such an awful and needless death?
Is Gambling A Christian Sin
Here is a quote from the introduction pages of the Masonic Bible.
“For Masonry knows, what so many (religions) forget, that religions are many, but Religion is ONE…Thus by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere every book of faith in which men find help for today and hope for the morrow, joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes oath on the Koran, and with the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best... Therefore, it (Masonry) invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for 'the Nameless One of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man.' (emphasis added)
- Introduction pages (5-6) of The Holy Bible Masonic Edition (South Carolina Lodges) copyright 1957, A.J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, PA
Here are more statements from Masonic writers that affirm the heresy of universalism.
“The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha, or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque or cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual truth.”
The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 65
Manly P. Hall, 33o, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co, Richmond, VA, 1976
“Be assured that God is equally present with the pious Hindu in his temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Muslim in the mosque and the Christian in the church.”
Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Albert Mackey
These teachings stand in direct contradiction to Acts 4:12 -
'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.'
The Bible isn't just one of the paths to God. It isn't just a place to find truth. It represents the only truth revealed from God and contains the only place to find the only path to God. Jesus Christ is the one savior and the one way. Believing He is but one of many ways stands in direct contradiction to the Bible.
So, Masonry is:
- A religion but not Christian in nature
- A religious system requiring secret oaths demanding allegiance and silence
- Universalistic
Closing Thoughts
Instead of a Church going out of its way to change their constitution and accept people attached to Masonry into its midst as members perhaps it would be good to alert the Masons as to exactly what Masonry is and the spiritual darkness that it represents? Nice people are involved in Masonry but the demonic nature of Masonry is to be exposed and not excused. If we allow those in our midst to remain comfortably involved in an organization with so many demonic roots do we not sin against them, ourselves, God's Word, and God Himself? As uncomfortable and confrontational as it may sound, we do Masons no service by giving them a pass on the nature, history and beliefs of Freemasonry. The Christian should consider the results of our often timid silence. Would we rather see Masons eternally perish in the false religious veneer offered by the Lodge? Will the quest to gain their human favor or being too intimidated to ruffle feathers stand up as excuses before God someday?
If we are to uphold the teachings of the Bible, the very identity of God, and the utmost importance and exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way (John 14:6, etc.), Masonry must be seen for what it is, an enemy of the Cross. This is indeed the case no matter how nice, or important, or sincere any man or woman may be who wants to claim for themselves both the Lodge and the Church, for these institutions are forever mutually exclusive according to Scripture and even Masonic authorities themselves.
A Final warning to Church Leaders
Is Gambling Christian
Scripture is clear concerning the mixing or fellowship of light with darkness (II Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:10-11). Allowing one who willfully or ignorantly swears allegiance to a false god to participate in membership or leadership in a church body not only short circuits God's protection and blessing but will sooner or later result in God's judgment. Perhaps just as troubling is that Masonry replicates through its members. Left unchecked, in time this leaven will spread in your midst (Gal. 5:9) resulting in new converts to Masonry and improved working conditions for Satan.
I would suggest that you extract some or all of the information I've shared here to use when speaking to the pastor and elders. I hope these thoughts help and give you ideas on how to present the case that Freemasonry in all forms is not compatible with biblical Christianity.
Feel free to distribute this letter if you like and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything more.
Ephesians 6:12…
Eric
Take A Stand! Ministries
www.ericbarger.com
| * Note that a great resource that speaks to the issue of Christians and Masonry is Ed Decker's The Question of Freemasonry. Please order at www.saintsalive.com. |
I have often addressed the confusing and controversial subject of Freemasonry. My 2003 DVD 'Freemasonry vs. Christianity: The Bible, The Lodge, and You' is one of the longest videos we have ever produced at nearly two hours in length. In particular, my concern has been the spiritual implications of mixing Christianity and the Lodge. Recently, I received an email from someone asking for help concerning this issue.
The email explained that a couple, who are Lodge members, have appealed to the leadership of the writer's home church to become members and now, though the church constitution forbids the church from accepting members of secret societies, the church is now considering changing their church constitution to allow Masons to become members. Below is my response.
Here are some ideas and facts that may help you communicate why Christianity and Freemasonry are not biblically compatible.
I know it appears very narrow at first glance but I believe that membership in Masonry is a make-it-or-break-it issue because of the dark, even demonic roots of Freemasonry. This doesn’t mean that everyone involved with the Lodge is demon possessed or a bad person. Many in the Lodge are there because they thought it was a “Christian” civic group and have been led there by friends, family and even clergy. Of course we don't want to deter Masons from attending church, but where do we draw the line? After all, Christians know that Jesus is the answer for the spiritual lost and deceived. Shouldn't we desire everyone to find the help and hope offered through a born-again relationship with Christ, solid Bible teaching, and fellowship with others who've found His truth? Of course. But should we allow members of a group like Freemasonry or other cults more than a seat in the pew? The biblical answer is absolutely not.
If we are willing to follow the Scriptures in our decision-making then just the three short points I will share below should be sufficient to make the case. However, when Christian leaders endorse the notion that Lodge or Eastern Star members may jointly hold membership in a local church body as well they are in disagreement with Scripture. By doing so they are allowing the Enemy ample room to operate on many fronts.
Reason #1 - The Swearing of Secret Oaths
The fact is that most Christians do not understand and are ignorant about the workings of the Lodge but the very fact that one must swear an oath of secrecy and even pronouncing a death curse on one’s own self in each of the first three degrees (Blue Lodge) should be a strong statement to biblical Christians that something is askew. Here’s part of the first and third degree oaths from the Masonic Blue Lodge ceremony taken directly out of the Lodge handbook.
“As this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots and with my body, buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs flows twice in twenty-five hours, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate or transgress this, my Entered Apprentice obligation. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.”
(First Degree)
“All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels torn from thence and burned to ashes, and these scattered before the four winds of Heaven, that no more remembrance might be had among men or Masons of so vile a wretch as I should be, should I in the least knowingly or willfully violate or transgress this, my Master Mason obligation. So help me God and make me steadfast…”
(Third Degree)
In Matthew 5:34-37 Jesus said, 'But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.'
Reason #2 - Masonry is NOT Christian in Creed or in its 'god'
If Jesus admonition against swearing oaths weren't enough, masonry’s own most noted writers denote it as a religion and one, Albert Mackey, makes certain to proclaim that that religion is NOT Christianity.
“Freemasonry is NOT Christianity nor a substitute for it…but the religion of Masonry is not sectarian. It admits men of every creed within its hospitable bosom, rejecting none and approving none for his particular faith…Masonry is, indeed, a religious institution…”
The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p. 618-619, Albert G. Mackey, 1921
“Every Masonic Temple is a Temple of Religion, and its teachings are instructions in religion.”
The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 213
Manly P. Hall, 33o, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co, Richmond, VA, 1976
'God is equally present with the pious Hindu in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church.' Albert Mackey, Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Richmond: Macoy Publishing, 1966, 1:409-410.
At the Shrine level (32nd and 33rd degree Masons), the initiate swears a binding oath in the name of 'Allah, the God of our Fathers.' This might clear up for some why the motif of the Shriners is Islamic (including the crescent moon, star, and sword: the three primary symbols of Islam) and why so many Shrine centers around the world have Arabic names. (click)
The deity spoken of again and again in Masonic writings is JoBulOn (also JoaBulOn), which is a composite god representing Jehovah, Baal, and Osiris. Whenever the Mason pronounces that name in the Masonic prayer of worship, they probably have no idea that in doing so they have defiled the Holy name of God.
Reason #3 - Masonry Espouses Universalism
Perhaps most convicting is the fact that universalism and a false identity of God are clearly presented in the introduction pages of the King James Bibles that are handed out to Blue Lodge graduates (3rd degree). I personally have Masonic Bibles from Washington, Idaho, Texas, and South Carolina that clearly enunciate that Masonry accepts all religions as valid paths to “the nameless one of a hundred names.” This idea is an affront to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ! If Hinduism or Islam were paths to meet the one true God then why would that God have sent His Son to die such an awful and needless death?
Here is a quote from the introduction pages of the Masonic Bible.
“For Masonry knows, what so many (religions) forget, that religions are many, but Religion is ONE…Thus by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere every book of faith in which men find help for today and hope for the morrow, joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes oath on the Koran, and with the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best... Therefore, it (Masonry) invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for 'the Nameless One of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man.' (emphasis added)
- Introduction pages (5-6) of The Holy Bible Masonic Edition (South Carolina Lodges) copyright 1957, A.J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, PA
Here are more statements from Masonic writers that affirm the heresy of universalism.
“The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha, or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque or cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual truth.”
The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 65
Manly P. Hall, 33o, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co, Richmond, VA, 1976
“Be assured that God is equally present with the pious Hindu in his temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Muslim in the mosque and the Christian in the church.”
Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Albert Mackey
These teachings stand in direct contradiction to Acts 4:12 -
'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.'
The Bible isn't just one of the paths to God. It isn't just a place to find truth. It represents the only truth revealed from God and contains the only place to find the only path to God. Jesus Christ is the one savior and the one way. Believing He is but one of many ways stands in direct contradiction to the Bible.
So, Masonry is:
- A religion but not Christian in nature
- A religious system requiring secret oaths demanding allegiance and silence
- Universalistic
Closing Thoughts
Instead of a Church going out of its way to change their constitution and accept people attached to Masonry into its midst as members perhaps it would be good to alert the Masons as to exactly what Masonry is and the spiritual darkness that it represents? Nice people are involved in Masonry but the demonic nature of Masonry is to be exposed and not excused. If we allow those in our midst to remain comfortably involved in an organization with so many demonic roots do we not sin against them, ourselves, God's Word, and God Himself? As uncomfortable and confrontational as it may sound, we do Masons no service by giving them a pass on the nature, history and beliefs of Freemasonry. The Christian should consider the results of our often timid silence. Would we rather see Masons eternally perish in the false religious veneer offered by the Lodge? Will the quest to gain their human favor or being too intimidated to ruffle feathers stand up as excuses before God someday?
If we are to uphold the teachings of the Bible, the very identity of God, and the utmost importance and exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way (John 14:6, etc.), Masonry must be seen for what it is, an enemy of the Cross. This is indeed the case no matter how nice, or important, or sincere any man or woman may be who wants to claim for themselves both the Lodge and the Church, for these institutions are forever mutually exclusive according to Scripture and even Masonic authorities themselves.
A Final warning to Church Leaders
Scripture is clear concerning the mixing or fellowship of light with darkness (II Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:10-11). Allowing one who willfully or ignorantly swears allegiance to a false god to participate in membership or leadership in a church body not only short circuits God's protection and blessing but will sooner or later result in God's judgment. Perhaps just as troubling is that Masonry replicates through its members. Left unchecked, in time this leaven will spread in your midst (Gal. 5:9) resulting in new converts to Masonry and improved working conditions for Satan.
I would suggest that you extract some or all of the information I've shared here to use when speaking to the pastor and elders. I hope these thoughts help and give you ideas on how to present the case that Freemasonry in all forms is not compatible with biblical Christianity.
Feel free to distribute this letter if you like and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything more.
Ephesians 6:12…
Eric
Take A Stand! Ministries
www.ericbarger.com
| * Note that a great resource that speaks to the issue of Christians and Masonry is Ed Decker's The Question of Freemasonry. Please order at www.saintsalive.com. |