King James Bible:Known as the most famous version among the Protestants and Anglicans. Although there is no single definitive version, it typically contains varying selections from both Jewish and Christian sources, such as passages from the Torah and Gospel accounts, as well as other works such as The Book Of Job and Ecclesiastes. and (2)Are these teachings at odds with Christianity? Those who think that they are sacrificing to a god are not sacrificing to any god. Finally, with the common gavel lesson the Lodge wrenches two biblical passages out of context, 1Peter2:5 (living stones, spiritual house) and 2Corinthians5:1 (house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens), and applies them to all Masons regardless of what deity they (as individuals) profess. Three Quick Reasons Why No Christian Should be a Mason - Eric Barger Most of the Freemasonry has relied upon the biblical characters and scriptures. I often hear some Christians say, I dont agree with Masonrys teachings, but Masonry does good works for our community. We can all agree that Masons do good works, but this doesnt settle the issue. Additionally, there is much discussion of masonic allegory within the masonic bible that is not found in its counterpart. If you have an antique Bible published in America in the very early 19th century, it could possibly have some value. Is My Old Bible Worth Money? - Regency Antique Books This book contains several versions of religious texts, such as The Old Testament and The New Testament, as well as some other works that are considered to be important to Freemasonrys teachings. Freemasonry & Hollywood: Famous Actors Who Were Freemasons, 10 Secret Societies, Clubs & Groups Like The Freemasons. By engaging with its rituals and symbols, it allows them to develop an appreciation for the underlying values behind freemasonry unity, brotherhood and charity that can be lived out in everyday life. The differences between the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible are striking, like a lightning bolt from the sky. It is known that no original manuscripts exist, there are only copies of the copies through translations and there is a possibility of many errors that have invariably sneaked in. Most of you folks are familiar with Dr. Martin. The usage of language in both Bibles can be seen through their structure. By exploring these ancient texts together, Masons strive to become more enlightened individuals who strive for excellence in all aspects of life. . To obtain monitors, see http://www.ephesians5-11.org/monitors.htm. Membership in them remains forbidden. Unfortunately, I have never seen such an edition of a Torah, a Quran, etc. These include meditations on faith, morality, duty, and service to others. Many people have a problem with this assertion, however, when they come to learn about the existence of Masonic Bibles. It is my understanding that they are more common in the United States of America, Canada, and Great Britain; I also tentatively add that they might be common in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. For example, even an incomplete King James Bible from 1611 can still be worth a considerable amount. It was important because people back then used to understand Greek instead of Hebrew. But, a fact that is not be ignored here is that various Bibles have been placed upon the Masonic altar. . Masonic Altar The FreeMasons essentially use the Bible for the masonic altar, and they have used several bibles through the centuries for their rituals. Valuable Bibles are (often) dated 1800 or earlier Ultimately then, it can be seen that although both bibles have been subject to translation processes over time, there are still some notable differences between them when it comes to how they are interpreted and understood by readers today. ed. Due to historical tensions between the Masonic Order and the Catholic Church, it is highly unlikely that a Bible beloved of Catholics would have anything to do with the Freemasons, John Dickie, a historian at University College London and author ofThe Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World, told Reuters via email (johndickie.net/). The text inside this edition has been modified from that which appears in standard Bibles; it includes excerpts from writings by prominent Masons such as Thomas Smith Webb, Thomas Dunckerley, and Laurence Dermott. They have had several bibles in the past. scriptures which were originally penned by Satanic Jews, perhaps it According to research, more than 180 million copies of the Holy Bible have been printed since its first publication in 1611. There are thousands of Masonic lodges in the U.S. and many more worldwide. (The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida, 1992),3940. He's the director and founder of the Christian Research Institute. As noted by Feuerherd, the Freemasons theological views, particularly their Deist vision of God, put them at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church (here). Before its complete corruption, the Catholic Church held to this It includes religious texts which are important to the teachings and beliefs of Freemasonry. Whatever their title and whatever their age, books were, and are, meant to be read. It includes important masonic symbols and teachings, with selected passages referring directly to freemasonry. The Standard Work and Lectures of Ancient Craft Masonry [ritual] (The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, 1964),30. When dialoguing with a Mason and contrasting Masonic teachings with the Bible, one should obtain a ritual or monitor from that Masons state and quote from it.2 The important doctrines to keep in mind are that Jesus is the unique Savior and that the triune God of the Bible is the only true and living God.3 Here the Mason who professes Christ should find contradictions between teachings that play a part in making him a Mason and the exclusive claims of the One in whom he professes faith. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. If you own a King James Bible that is embossed with the Masonic emblem and it contains free mason symbolisms, you are free to own it and keep it in your home, unless it troubles your conscience. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Although this Bible was published in the 1880s, it is in wonderful condition with original clasps. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge by Ankerberg & Weldon. That comment was important because it prepares us for verses 24-29. It refers to a group of Masons coming together in fellowship, and, at the same time, refers to the room or building in which they meet. I hope that one day, my own children will value the information contained within its covers not only about the Christian principles contained therein, but also about their own family history. 5. This article first appeared in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, volume28, number6 (2005). They do this to get the blessings of the creator. Is belief in the Great Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) the same thing as belief in the God of the Bible. 2. The first point to note is that both books have been translated countless times over the years. Take my own Masonic Bible, for example it is Heirloom Bible Publishers Red Letter Edition of the King James Version. Yes, the Masonic Lodge Bible contains false teaching, the doctrines of demons. All these texts are intended to be read in conjunction with one another, providing insight into moral questions and spiritual truths that can help guide Masons in their daily lives. The American flag is a symbol of freedom. Masonic/Illuminati Bible that Biden swore on yesterdayI do believe a lot of weird and scary shit is gonna go down at some point (here). Unfortunately, no known existing original bibles or holy texts exist, and there are only copies are in existence. Of all the antiquities within the Lodge, the Volume of The Sacred Law is the most important.The Great Light in Masonry, and The Rule and Guide for Masonic Faith and Practice is placed on the Master's pedestal when the Lodge is opened, where the meetings are conducted in peace and harmony. Biblical historians and scholars often collect antiquarian Bibles for the various translations that have been printed all over the world. The guiding principle for situations where the demonic is involved is given to us in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Here one person prays to the Great Architect on behalf of all Masons gathered, who in turn see their individual deities represented by the Great Architect: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God! Claims of Masonic or Illuminati links to this Bible edition are baseless and, similarly to QAnon, relate to the classic conspiracy theory that a secret organization of elites is seeking to establish a new world order. Holy Bible (Masonic Heirloom Edition) - amazon.com In the early 1600s, freemasonry was widely accepted and popular amongst members of the aristocracy and the clergy. A special bible for every one including White Bible, OES Altar Bible, Eastern Star Family/Wedding Bible, Master Mason Masonic Candidate Bible, Masonic Gift Bible with emblem, Masonic Altar Bible- Dark Blue with Picture. The Masonic Bible, or the Volume of Sacred Law, is an important part of Freemasonry. Notably, novelist Dan Brown wrote of the Illuminati as a group driven underground by the Vatican in his 2000 mystery thriller Angels and Demons.. A book review of In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration by William Lane Craig (Eerdmans, 2021), Let Faith Oust Fact: A Review of The Whale, No Mindful Matter: The Explanatory Failure of Scientific Materialism, Una pregunta que los mormones no pueden responder, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. Fourth, continuing our tour of ritual, the third degree candidate plays the Masonic hero Hiram Abif in a dramatic reenactment, wherein he identifies with Hiram in Hirams death, burial, and raising.11 Christians should reject such practice and teaching because, first, believers should identify with Christ in His death, burial, and raising from the dead (see 1Cor.15:14), and second, Christ is in fact the only Savior (John14:6; Acts4:12). In 1983, for example, Cardinal Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) announced that the Churchs negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged . Masonic Bibles are heirloom editions of the Bible; they do not serve as a separate version or translation. A 16th century Bible Testamenti Veteris Biblia Sacra in beautiful blind stamped vellum, dating to 1581. Both books have an important role to play in spirituality but serve distinct purposes when it comes to exploring themes related to faith. This is the Master Mason Bible, a book Now, we all know what a symbol is. The Douay-Rheims Bible (also spelled Douai-Reims) is an English translation of the Latin Vulgate (Bible translation) that was made by Roman Catholic scholars exiled from England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The significance of both bibles for Freemasonry is clear: both provide religious guidance for members of the fraternity. Meaning thereby that no other book is as significant as the Bible. But what exactly is the difference between the Masonic Bible and The Holy Bible? Read more about our fact-checking workhere. MASONIC Bible-Racine, Wisconsin WI-1923 $13.74 Was: $24.99 $3.49 shipping or Best Offer 1886 Large Masonic Pictoral Family Bible Gold Gilt Leather Cover No Writing $435.00 $8.00 shipping MASONIC 1924-40 HOLY BIBLE ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD NASHVILLE TN ILLUSTRATED $49.99 $5.50 shipping Finally there were The Writings: Chronicles I & II; Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther; Job; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song Of Solomon; Ruth; Lamentations and Daniel. As explained by journalist Peter Feuerherd (here) Freemasonry, hasinfluenced American history from its beginnings, capturing the allegiance of much of the early Republics elite, but falling under widespread suspicion in the first half of the 19th century. Douay Bible:It was translated in Douai and Rheims. Bible Markers - Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of The Bible comes from the Greek word Biblia, which is the most sacred book for all of the Christians and also serves as the source of truth and a book that consists of the revelations of the word of God. Masonic Bible for sale | eBay The masonic bible, for example, has been translated into numerous languages and dialects throughout its history. All Rights Reserved. Masonic book published in America was printed by Brother Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1734. When discussing the similarities between the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible, there are a few key points to consider. Additionally, while the Holy Bible is considered to be divinely inspired by God, the Masonic Bible is largely based on humanistic principles. #1. I am grateful for my Masonic Heirloom Bible. The Bible is used only by Christian when other masons of various faiths perform. Uploaded by Is it wrong to own a Masonic Lodge Bible? It is an embossed KJV Bible As such, although there are differences between them including differing interpretations of scripture there are also many similarities between these two sacred texts. Search the history of over 806 billion The symbol was subject to a diverse array of interpretations in the late 18th century. This is an online articlefrom theChristian Research Journal. Follow along on a brief tour of ritual, keeping in mind the previously mentioned syncretism. Symbolic teachings in rituals and/or monitors of each state, province, or geographic area are in essence the same for Grand Lodges that are part of Regular Masonry. From Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge, rituals and monitors vary slightly, only in wording. It is to be noted here that many other Holy Books from all of the languages reside upon the various Masonic altars around the Globe, for the Freemasons who are English speaking. Furthermore, its interpretations can vary from one person to another depending on their beliefs about how to live out their faith. Through these additional symbols, Masonry aims to challenge its members to think more deeply about religious texts from a variety of perspectives. . All things are lawful, but not all thingsedify. Join our mailing list for email alerts on the 2023 Charles Dickens auction. So prepare yourself as you step into a world where ancient secrets are revealed and mysteries unraveled. To answer the question of whether a Christian should join the Masonic Lodge, we must first answer two questions: (1)What does Freemasonry (Masonry, the Lodge) teach regarding God and salvation? In a Masonic Lodge, however, the Mason will find the name of his Deity within the Great Architect of the Universe.7. My own lodge has ordered various copies, each one of which is given as a gift to those whom we raise to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Then Paul tells the Corinthians that he does not want them to share or be involved with demons. This page last updated: February 10, 2023. He was an English Mason who wanted to create a book that would serve as a symbol for Freemasonry. Masonic Bibles - The Educator An Introduction Finally, if your conscience troubles you because you own the Masonic Lodge Bible, then you need to throw it away. These additional symbols have been incorporated into Masonic ceremonies for centuries and include items such as: These unique elements give insight into Freemasonrys interpretation of scripture, as well as its relationship with other faiths. When a Lodge is working in a specific . Some of the bibles used by the masons previously are the Septuagint, St. Jeromes Vulgate, and the Wycliffe Bible. For example, while the holy bible begins with Genesis chapter 1, the masonic bible begins with Paralipomenon chapter 2. Trilogy in 1975, described here by the New York Times in its 2007 obituary for Wilson as a mind-twisting science-fiction series about a secret global society that became a cult classic., In the years since, Illuminati believers have claimed the secret groups responsibility for events like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 (here). Today, many lodges still adhere to the teachings in the masonic bible, although not all lodges do so. The use of proper sources is critical when evaluating Masonic teaching. Due to the long history of tension between the Masonic Order and the Catholic Church, use of this Bible by the Freemasons is extremely unlikely. And since their mystical origins revolve around the Christian beliefs, they have several revered and holy bibles. In this article, we will explore the distinctions between these two powerful works of faith, examining their histories, beliefs, and practices. It was assembled around 3300 years ago. . to the Masonic God, the all-encompassing canopy deity. The designs interpretation as a Masonic omen was popularized in 1975 with the publication of The Eye in the Pyramid, the first book in Wilson and Sheas The Illuminatus! Get auction updates for whatever you collect. However, the older the Bible, the less important condition becomes. The Gutenberg, also known as the 42 Line Bible, was the first substantial book printed around 1455 using moveable type, and is probably the most famous and sought after antique Bible. Ultimately, freemasons must decide whether or not to continue using the masonic bible in their rituals but either way, its influence can still be seen in modern freemasonry today. Masonic Religion 35 3. Old Bibles published between 1900-2000 are almost exclusively considered reading material and unless your copy was owned by someone famous, it is not worth further research. Masonic Morality 61 Part 2 Religious Secrets: Beliefs 5 The Plan of Salvation 78 6. These texts include scriptures from the Christian Bible, as well as other religious works that are considered to be of spiritual significance to Freemasons. Masonic Bibles & Accessories - Macoy 4. Here are just a few of the most popular: Beauty and quality craftsmanship go a long way in adding to desirability, and these are definitely factors to consider when evaluating an old Bible. So far as I am aware, none of the Masonic heirloom editions of the Bible are published by any grand lodge; they are instead published by private companies. It is an embossed KJV Bible. Septuagint:It is a name driven by the 72 Jewish scholars who are responsible for Greek to Hebrew. Thus, while both books contain similar teachings, they differ in terms of their religious importance and usage within Freemasonry and Christianity respectively. To illustrate this point, one can look at a side-by-side comparison of the two Bibles in terms of the themes they explore: The Masonic Bible explores spiritual growth, philosophical teachings, morality and ethics. The masonic bible contains many variants of stories and passages which are not present in the holy bible, making it a unique variant of the traditional text. Right next to him is Dr. Walter Martin. 10. Great Bible:Also, to take note, Henry VIII has possession of copies of the Great Bible that was chained for the purpose to foil overzealous worshippers. First, lets consider what is similar about the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible: Second, lets examine how these two texts differ in terms of their usage: In short then, while there are similarities between the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible in terms of their content and symbolism; ultimately they serve different purposes with one being mainly for teaching moral lessons within Freemasonry organizations while the other is mainly used for religious worship in Christian churches. This is a question which has been asked for centuries, ever since man began to ponder the nature of both books. An example of a dilapidated spine of a Masonic Bible and how they can look when restored by experts. What do you collect? 11. I hope that those Masons who subscribe to other religions also get the chance one day to see such editions of their own volumes of sacred law. This antique Bible dates to 1743 and though it has (contemporary) writing in it, is desirable. Similarly, the holy bible has also been translated into many different languages and dialects over time. It simply demonstrates that Roberts conformed to the overall teaching and practice contained in ritual. & A.M. of New Mexico, 1992),20. Finally, while both books may contain similar stories or passages, they differ greatly in terms of interpretation and application. Ultimately, these differences between the two Bibles demonstrate why each has been so influential in forming religious thought across cultures around the world for centuries. The above-mentioned company Heirloom Bible Publishers alone sells The Original Heirloom Family Bible, the African American Family Heirloom Bible, the Spanish Bible Nuestra Biblia Catlica Familiar, and the Family Record Bible. In order to be a Mason, a candidate must believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, as the Grand Lodge of New Mexico, for example, states for candidates of the Entered Apprentice (first) degree.4 The specific identity of a candidates supreme being is not of concern to the Lodge initially. In fact, the only thing that makes this Bible a "Masonic" Bible, is that it includes a short . How Does Freemasonry Makes Men (& Society) Better? Tyndale Bible:William Tyndale was an English translator and he was persecuted by the Church. Prestons goal was to provide Masons with their own version of the Bible, one that incorporated Masonic symbols and messages into its pages. Q: Is a Freemason Bible any different than a regular Bible? It was once the standard text of the fraternity, and its modern usage has been a source of much debate. The Bible in the foreground of the picture, above, is a Geneva Bible from 1581. But today, in a time when those Dogmatic warnings aren't taken The Masonic Bible uses highly poetic language full of metaphors and allegories to convey its meaning. Freemasonry is a cult and its core teachings are not Christian. However, due to its smaller circulation it is not as easy to find as the Holy Bible. Sometimes, you dont even need the entire Bible to have great value on your hands. The Free Masons are a group that has sprung from the Knight Templars several centuries ago. The world is like a vast tapestry, with each thread representing a distinct culture and belief system. As such, it is important for readers to understand these nuances when comparing these two texts side-by-side. The Masonic Bible is a collection of sacred texts used by members of the Freemasonry fraternity. interpreted incorrectly (more info: Dogma & the Bible). There is also The Founders Bible Heirloom Edition. On Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th and second Roman Catholic president of the United States after taking his oath of office using a 1893 edition of the Douay Rheims Bible (see around the 4:15 mark here). Masons simply respond, Thats just Mackeys [Coils, Pikes] opinion! This practice is, therefore, not effective, and I would like to see it become a thing of the past. For examples, the highest authority for Masons in Massachusetts is the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, for Arizona the Grand Lodge of Arizona, and so on. Since God has given us theprinciple thatall things are lawful for Christians unless it involves sin, it is okay to own an embossed Masonic Lodge Bible.
