Are Masonic books authoritative?

Are Masonic Books authoritative?

Perhaps you have read a Masonic book which caused you to be quite concerned for a friend or loved one who is a Mason. Everything from astrology, to Gnosticism, to hard core Satanism is found in books which are distributed by Masonic suppliers and are found in Masonic libraries. One thing which we have never seen in a book written by a Mason and distributed throughout the Masonic system is a statement that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Many, many Masonic books state exactly the opposite. Some lift up the Masonic savior, Hiram Abiff, instead. As an example, consider the words of Masonic author, Lynn Perkins, found in The Meaning of Masonry:

"Therefore Masonry teaches that redemption and salvation are both the power and the responsibility of the individual Mason. Saviors like Hiram Abiff can and do show the way, but men must always follow and demonstrate, each for himself, his power to save himself, to build his own spiritual fabric in his own time and way. Every man in essence is his own savior and redeemer; for if he does not save himself, he will not be saved."

(Page 95)

Perkins had this to say about Jesus:

Now, therefore, why is Jesus the Christ not mentioned in the Masonic Ritual of the first three degrees? Those who ask this question should remember that Masonry has been, and is now, attempting to promote the idea of a universal brotherhood, a dwelling-together of all peoples on earth in harmony and peace. Though Avatars (divine messengers) have come to all people at different times with the same essential message, nevertheless the Christian Avatar is still not acceptable to some peoples.

(Page 54)

Jesus Christ is not mentioned in the first three degrees because he is unacceptable to Masonry. It should not surprise us that Masonry rejects Jesus; Jesus explained that there would be those who would not acknowledge Him before men:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

(Mat 10:32-33)

The Meaning of Masonry accurately explains the teachings of Masonry. I will be the first to admit that Perkins is not Masonry's most popular writer. However, his writings contain a fair representation of what is found in quite a few other Masonic books which are also found in Masonic libraries.

If you were to discuss Perkins' book, or just about any other revealing Masonic book, with a Mason who claims to be a Christian, he would likely deny that the book has any significance. He would most likely claim that the book you have selected is not authoritative and that the contents represent only the opinion of the author. There is no doubt that the Masonic system promotes and distributes thousands of books which have an anti-Christian theme. However, are these books authoritative? If they are not authoritative, why does Masonry distribute them through Lodge libraries and what purpose do they serve within Masonry?

What do the authorities of Freemasonry
say about Masonic literature?

To answer those questions, in an authoritative manner, we have to turn to the highest authorities of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodges. There is a Grand Lodge which is the authority within each of our 50 states and another in the District of Columbia. Most of these state Grand Lodges publish "Monitors" which are given to each man when he becomes a Master Mason. Since these small books are published by the authority in the state in which they are issued, they are unquestionably authoritative works. In our society, the written word carries more weight than the spoken word. We should give more credence to the contents of Masonic Monitors than the denials of a particular Mason. An individual Mason cannot speak authoritatively for Masonry because he is not the Grand Lodge. His denials are simply his own opinion, or rather what he wants you to believe. What do Grand Lodges say concerning the contents and purpose of Masonic books? The 1993 edition of the Indiana Monitor and Freemason's Guide has this to say:

"In the ceremonies of making a Mason, we do not attempt to do more than to indicate the pathway to Masonic knowledge, to lay the foundation for the Masonic edifice. The brother must pursue the journey or complete the structure for himself by reading and reflection."

(page 132)

The Grand Lodge, the authority, states clearly that they indicate the pathway to the teachings of Masonry and those teachings are acquired and understood by reading and reflection. Where would a Mason go to obtain books which would contain teachings about Masonry? The Indiana Grand Lodge publishes another small book, The Master Mason, which answers the question:

"Yet it is vitally important that the deeper meanings of this degree be understood if one is to become a Master Mason in fact as well as in name. . . The literature of Masonry in all its many phases is within your reach and your Worshipful Master or Secretary can give you particulars. . . Much has been written of Freemasonry. Probably your own Lodge possesses a library of books telling of the history of Freemasonry and treating of its philosophy, symbolism and jurisprudence. These books are at your disposal at all times and there are many others that you may purchase for study in your own home."

(Pages 2-4)

According to the highest Masonic authorities, Masonic books play a large part in the Masonic education process. The denials of individuals that these books collectively speak for Masonry are simply not true. Many Masons who offer these denials know that they are not being truthful. There are a large number of Masonic books which are anti-Christian. If Masonry were unbiased with regard to the claims of Jesus Christ, and if a significant number of Masons were Christians, there would be Masonic books written by Masonic authors which clearly state that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Those books, revealing the Gospel, would be distributed throughout the Masonic system with equal fervor. However, there aren't any, because Jesus simply is not acceptable to Masonry. It follows that Masonry is not acceptable to Jesus Christ.

How can you obtain copies of Masonic books?

Masonic books are available to non-Masons as well as to Masons. Unless you are doing research, you would find most of them to be of little use. If you are witnessing to a Mason, Masonic books are often of little help. The major exception is the Masonic "Monitor." Monitors are published by most Grand Lodges, for use in the lodges within their jurisdiction. Monitors contain explanations of the symbols of Freemasonry and often contain portions of the rituals with explanations of the meaning. Masons cannot reasonably argue that a Grand Lodge does not properly understand Freemasonry.

Masonic Monitors - Distributed by Grand Lodges

The Masonic monitor distributed by the Grand Lodge of the state in which a Mason lives is the most effective witnessing tool. If one for that particular state is not available, a monitor from another Grand Lodge, or a collection of monitors from several other Grand Lodges is the next best tool. By using tracts like those found in this web site, in conjunction with a monitor, the Christian Mason will be brought to repentance. Key elements of ritual can be documented in any Masonic monitor which will demonstrate that Freemasonry teaches salvation on a basis other than faith in Jesus Christ. For a Christian, that is enough. If it isn't enough, the Mason is not a Christian. It really is that simple; Christians won't knowingly participate or support the promotion of a false plan of salvation.

Masonic monitors go by various names and often are small enough to fit in a coat pocket. A few titles would include: Masonic Manual (Georgia), Indiana Monitor and Freemason's Guide, The Louisiana Monitor, Blue Lodge Text Book (Mississippi), North Carolina Lodge Manual, Masonic Code of Oregon and Manual of the Lodge, Ahiman Rezon (South Carolina), and Masonic Text Book for use in the Lodges in West Virginia. Usually they have a statement in the front indicating that they were published or adopted by the Grand Lodge.

Masonic monitors for most states are available from this ministry. Many Masonic Monitors are available on CDROM.