A Biblical Perspective of Freemasonry
By Clark Blanchard
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What is Freemasonry? What is its purpose? Is it compatible with biblical Christianity?

Freemasonry is the largest, and perhaps oldest, secret fraternity in the world. It is also one of the most unique and subtle cults which the Christian church faces today. It is subtle because it claims to be merely a fraternity for the improvement of personal character and service to the community. It denies being a religious organization. It offers as proof that its members are free to participate in the church, synagogue, temple, or mosque of their choice. Nevertheless, Freemasonry requires belief in a Supreme Being, promotes a liberal universalist theology, teaches righteousness by character, and engages in secret religious rituals. Doctrinally, it denies the deity of Christ, the truth of the Gospel, and the authority of the Bible.

How did Freemasonry begin?
In medieval Europe (900-1600 A.D.), large construction projects, such as castles and cathedrals, were built mainly by “free” itinerant skilled tradesmen. Often they lived together in huts or sheds called “lodges,” sharing not only the skills of their crafts but views on philosophy, politics, and religion as well. Because of the prominence of brick and stone construction, masons became the prominent craftsmen. It was in these craft groups that apprentices were mentored by the masters and learned the skills of the trades. They were also taught the spiritual values of integrity, brotherhood, and belief in God. Gradually allegories, symbolism, and rituals developed comparing the building crafts, especially masonry, with the building of personal character and the spiritual life. Initially, Christianity influenced much of the spiritual teaching, but then their theology, symbolism, and rituals liberalized to encompass broader religious ideas, including medieval European occultism. Freemasonry, as we know it today, began in 1717 in London, England. Local