Many critics of Masonry, unfortunately, quote from books written by Masonic authors such as Albert Mackey, Henry Coil, and Albert Pike to build their cases. My own Masonic Bible has at its forefront (before the actual Biblical text starts) a place for my name, my genealogy, pages where I can one day record the information of my children and grandchildren. This is an online-exclusive Viewpoint from the Christian Research Journal. The core difference between these two versions of the Bible is that one focuses on personal growth within an individuals spiritual journey while the other reinforces traditional religious doctrine for communal worship. This was followed by other texts such as Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song Of Solomon. 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. You can even use the pricing information as a guide to resell the Bible yourself. This makes it suitable for both casual bible readers and those looking for deeper insight into their faith. Finally, it is not surprising to read in some monitors the following exhortation given to newly raised Master Masons: Then let us imitate the good man [Hiram] in his virtuous and amiable conduct; in his unfeigned piety to God; in his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.13. Firstly, the Masonic Bible contains a large collection of writings that are specific to Freemasonry. In fact, the only thing that makes this Bible a "Masonic" Bible, is that it includes a short . ed. 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. And since their mystical origins revolve around the Christian beliefs, they have several revered and holy bibles. What is the Eastern Star organization, and are they related to the Free Masons? There are a few rare exceptions, but if you have a Bible published AFTER about 1800, it is most likely worth very little as there were tremendous numbers of Bibles produced during this time. Amen.8, Second, the Mason who wears the Masonic white lambskin apron given to him during the first degree is reminded of that purity of life and conduct so essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.9, Third, all Masons are taught to use the symbolism of a common gavel for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting [their] hearts and consciences of the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting [their] minds as living stones for that spiritual buildingthat house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.10. If we consider the first Hebrew texts upon leather scrolls and papyrus, the Old Testament, as we already know about the fact that, today, it is available to us through the ages. 5. But what exactly is the difference between the Masonic Bible and The Holy Bible? During these meetings church leaders would debate which books should be included in this sacred text. In Christianity, these stories usually involve Jesus Christ or his apostles. Lastly, some of the ceremonies in the Masonic Bible have different meanings than those found in the Holy Bible; for example, some involve handshakes rather than prayer. Heres a list of some of these similarities: Additionally, both books feature stories about Jesus Christ and his teachings, as well as other religious figures featured in the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon. Finally, while both books may contain similar stories or passages, they differ greatly in terms of interpretation and application. 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. To the best of my knowledge, it is one of those things that has been assumed to be "known.". he who doubts is condemned . The creation of this special edition of the Bible began in the late 18th century with William Preston. that the "Mormon bible was printed and sent forth to the world, from a masonic printing office."4 In May 1832, the Geauga Gazette countered Howe's statements by reporting that W. W. Phelps, a prominent Mormon who had been editor of the anti-Masonic Phoenix of Ontario, New York, before his conversion to Mormonism was "one of the most Let no one seek his owngood, but that of hisneighbor. This copy was purchased from a seller on Ebay for $16 and The presidents use of this family heirloom, which he used twice while being sworn in as vice president in 2009 and 2013 ( here. It contains scripture readings, sacred ceremonies, and worship services that are used to help believers connect with God in meaningful ways. 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. 12. The Bible is used only by Christian when other masons of various faiths perform. Some of the viral Facebook posts ( here , here ) include a screenshot of a WorthPoint.com listing for a RARE 1883 ANTIQUE FAMILY BIBLE DOUAY RHEIMS ILLUMINATI MASONIC 22KT BID AT .99! This raises an interesting question, since Freemasonry and Christianity have somewhat different beliefs. The masonic bible, for example, has been translated into numerous languages and dialects throughout its history. When a Lodge is working in a specific . The fact that it's in a used bookstore implies that it doesn't even hold much sentimental value for the family of the former owner. One of the exceptions to this guideline is if the Bible is finely bound or has some special characteristic which sets it apart from the crowd, it can have more collectibility. From holy rituals to scripture readings, both Bibles contain an immense wealth of spiritual knowledge that can be used by seekers of all faiths. The Holy Bible Freemasonry with Masonic Helps Oxford New York unique with box $58.39 Was: $79.99 Free shipping SPONSORED Holman Holy Bible Masonic Edition 1940 King Solomons Temple In Masonry $25.00 $7.95 shipping or Best Offer HOLY BIBLE MASONIC EDITION 1940 Blue Cover MASON w/ Signatures $19.99 $4.35 shipping The Masonic Bible has been around for centuries and its popularity has fluctuated over time. At the back of the volume (after the end of the Biblical text) is a list of strange/interesting Bible facts, a guide to the laws of Biblical peoples, Biblical quotes used by various historical statesmen/orators, a digest of characters, places, and a Bible Dictionary. It consists of two main sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and is considered by Christians to be the inspired word of God. The Illuminati recruited members from Freemason lodges across Europe during its decade in operation, which may account for current public confusion between the two groups (here). The Rule of Faith and Practice 93 7. But today, in a time when those Dogmatic warnings aren't taken The Masonic Bible is also available in a variety of formats such as paperback, digital downloads, ebooks and hard cover editions. As such they remain an invaluable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with God through sacred ceremonies and worship services. Now, we all know what a symbol is. Furthermore, its interpretations can vary from one person to another depending on their beliefs about how to live out their faith. Florida Masonic Monitor, 23rd. It is leather and tooled in gold. In Freemasonry, the lodge means two things. The Masonic Bible, or the Volume of Sacred Law, is an important part of Freemasonry. The Creator, the Great Geometrician of God as we know him, is the Supreme Being and is worshipped through various rituals that are performed by the Free Masons in their secret lodges. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. By contrast, the Holy Bible is a religious text with much more literal interpretations. This caused some versions of the Masonic Bible to be reworked to suit other religious practices. A: The reason is that Freemasonry has biblical foundations. The guiding principle for situations where the demonic is involved is given to us in 1 Corinthians 10:31. 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. 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). What is the Masonic Bible? Bibles are heavily used and often tend to be in poor condition. Join the 3,000+ Brethren from around the world inside our weekly Masonic newsletter and get our best selling ebook for free (usual value: $20). And a Masonic Bible is most commonly an ordinary King James Version of the Bible, so what personal library is complete without . No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, theysacrifice to demons and not to God . During this ritual, various symbols are displayed such as a square, compass, level and plumb rule. 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. Are Beards, Tattoos, Piercings & Body Modifications Allowed in Freemasonry? 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB). These include meditations on faith, morality, duty, and service to others. Freemasonry and the Afterlife. Since the Free Masons have biblical foundations, it is obvious that they to would have a bible. the Luciferian Brotherhood of Freemasonry is so infatuated with the We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Meanwhile, the Holy Bible takes a more straightforward approach with simpler words and phrases that are easy for readers to understand. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. In fact, as of 2020 the Bible in its entirety has been translated into 698 languages! I am sure that there are some entities who publish Masonic editions of other volumes of sacred law for those who subscribe to other religions. What is Freemasonry, and what do Freemasons believe? For examples of this apologetic, see Steven Tsoukalas, Masonic Rites and Wrongs: An Examination of Freemasonry (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1995) and Steven Tsoukalas, The Masonic Lodge: Is It Compatible with Christianity? Personal Freedom Outreach, http://www.pfo.org/masonldg.htm. All Rights Reserved. There is no real difference between this Bible and your family Bible, where you can write in your family history, or the dates your children were born, married, etc. The Masonic Altar is based around a holy book which can change depending on the personal religion of the mason performing the ritual. 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. On the other hand, the structure of the Holy Bible follows a more rigid format, with each chapter having a clearly defined purpose. Lets learn about a few points that will make a difference in the value of your antique Bible. There is nothing in the existing Standard Work and Lectures (SWL) that specifies that the Bible is to be opened to a specific passage of scripture when the Lodge is working in a specific Degree. A previous poster condemned the Nazism of the original poster. This distinction of content between the two bibles has led to much debate among scholars over centuries about which variant has more authority or accuracy than the other. This edition also features engravings depicting several scenes from Masonic rituals and ceremonies. 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. In the days following U.S. President Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20, posts on social media claimed that the Bible he used during his swearing-in ceremony is connected to the Masonic Order or the Illuminati. Similarly, the holy bible has also been translated into many different languages and dialects over time. When discussing the similarities between the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible, there are a few key points to consider. The availability of the Masonic Bible and the Holy Bible is an important factor to consider. One viral Facebook post, shared over 18,000 times at the time of this articles publication, has the caption, Sooo has anyone else realized this yet or???? scanned for your convenience. It was written over a period of centuries by various authors, and its contents reflect the beliefs and traditions of multiple cultures. Wait a moment and try again. Those who consign with us receive a complimentary auction evaluation. 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. In fact, just one page from the Gutenberg Bible could be expected to fetch $100,000 or more! The Masonic Order, also known as the Freemasons, are another historic secret society (here). Why? 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. It takes a humanistic approach to faith, emphasizing service to one another rather than reverence for God or other religious figures. Proper Sources. Freemasons do not have a "special" Bible. 8. 15. Although both versions are derived from similar sources, they each offer an alternate perspective on scripture that can be used to interpret religious texts differently. First, Masonry as an institution prays (for holiness!) He's also the Distinguished Professor of Comparative . In whatever we do, we are to give glory to God through our actions. The only Masonic Edition of the Bible with all these features: Masonic, Scottish Rite, and Eastern Star Records; Masonic Presidents; Freemasonry and the Holy Bible - Taking you through the internal workings of Freemasonry from the first to the thirty-third degree; Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry; Order of the Eastern Star; Questions The following will explain the reasons why. . Therefore, if owning the Bible disturbed your conscience, then do not keep it. Among other things, it promotes John the Carl H. Claudy, Foreign Countries (Richmond, VA: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, 1971),11. It was read by common people at that time. might be worth considering that the Bible is not what people think it The masonic bible and the holy bible both contain the same core text, though there are some subtle differences in their textual content. Freemasonry & Hollywood: Famous Actors Who Were Freemasons, 10 Secret Societies, Clubs & Groups Like The Freemasons. (Louisville: The Standard Printing Co., 1990),21415. In general, a Bible published from around 1820 2000 almost certainly has little or no value. The masonic bible is still used by freemasonry today. Masonry is neither a religion nor a substitute for one. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Its extremely unlikely that any of us have a loose leaf from the original Gutenberg stored up in the attic, but it certainly is mind-blowing to think about the value of just a single page. 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 . In a few of the private Masonic groups of which I am a member on social media, I have, at times, come across comments from Masons in foreign countries stating that there is no such thing as a Masonic Bible. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Bibles like these have value only as reading material. To obtain monitors, see http://www.ephesians5-11.org/monitors.htm. These texts include scriptures from the Christian Bible, as well as other religious works that are considered to be of spiritual significance to Freemasons. Those who think that they are sacrificing to a god are not sacrificing to any god. 11. Pierre-Eugne-Marcellin Berthelot, (born Oct. 27, 1827, Paris, Francedied March 18, 1907, Paris), French organic and physical chemist, science historian, and government official. . All things are lawful, but not all thingsedify. While there are some similarities between the two Bibles, their primary difference lies in their purpose. These verses, however, apply only to those who are of the covenant community of the triune God. In contrast to the Masonic Bibles focus on philosophy and morality, the Holy Bible emphasizes faith in Gods divine plan for salvation. A: The reason behind that is that Freemasonry has the biblical foundations. Furthermore, both Bibles include stories about Gods plan for humanity, with an emphasis on sin and salvation through Jesus Christ. . It includes notable Masonic phrases and symbolism, such as references to the Supreme Architect of the Universe and the Great Light. Most of you folks are familiar with Dr. Martin. web pages 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. They have had several bibles in the past. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. The Masonic Bible is a collection of sacred texts used by members of the Freemasonry fraternity. He was an English Mason who wanted to create a book that would serve as a symbol for Freemasonry. According to the Encyclopdia Britannica, the Douay-Rheims translation was the only authorized Bible in English for Roman Catholics until the 20th century. (here). 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. Can You Become a Freemason if You Are Disabled? This antique Bible dates to 1743 and though it has (contemporary) writing in it, is desirable. Dec 8, 2008. Get auction updates for whatever you collect. It is a specific version of the Holy Bible and has its own distinct history and origin. important to a Freemason, today? My citation of Roberts buttresses my point, but is not foundational. In general, the Masonic Bible emphasizes morality and ethical behavior within its interpretation. Therefore, we have a principle thatall things are lawful for Christians, unless it involves sin. All rights reserved. The Freemasons Are the Oldest Fraternal Organization in the World. The compilation of the Christian scripture began with the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament). These rituals and practices are a way for masons to express their faith in God and their commitment to each other. Ultimately, what matters most is that one finds spiritual comfort and wisdom within whichever version they choose to read. See Tsoukalas, Masonic Rites and Wrongs, 74-76, and "The Masonic Lodge." The reenactment is centered around the Masonic legend of Hiram, who, as the Bible notes, helped King Solomon build the Temple (1Kings7:13-45). As long as it continues such teachings, it will, implicitly, deny Gods purpose for the incarnation of the beloved Christ. For instance, Elvis Presleys personal Bible, published in 1977, sold for $94,000 at auction in 2012. This is a valuable weapon to take down the Jews. 11. I am grateful for my Masonic Heirloom Bible. 3. The Masonic Lodge I. Masonic Nature and Influence 10 2. When a book is easy to obtain and plentiful, its not rare, and most times, not very valuable. Copyright Like The Master Ministries. There also exist other heirloom editions of the Bible that are not Masonic. The Catholic family Bible pictured above is an exception to the rule. The Free Masons are a group that has sprung from the Knight Templars several centuries ago. confusing stories or "parables" of the heretical Jesus, son of the exoteric god of Freemasonry, a talking burning bush fire. What is a Masonic lodge? Masonrys good works stem from Masonic teaching, so we must consider its teaching. While the Reuters Fact Check team could not find images clearly showing the full cover of the Biden familys Douay-Rheims Bible, it is true that the covers of some antique Douay-Rheims editions ( www.ebay.com/itm/143919256211 , here ) include the Eye of Providence, an eye inside a triangle commonly seen as a Masonic and Illuminati symbol. It emphasizes individual responsibility and emphasizes knowledge as power. 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. Instead, they are sacrificing to demons who deceive the naive and the unsuspecting into believing that the idol is a god. It includes religious texts which are important to the teachings and beliefs of Freemasonry. Finally, if your conscience troubles you because you own theMasonic Lodge Bible, then you need to throw it away. Its teachings include stories of Jesuss birth and life on Earth as well as descriptions of moral guidance from prophets throughout history. Trilogy, and more recently in 2009 with the publication of Browns novel The Lost Symbol ( here , here ). First, a prayer to the Masonic deity for the candidate of the first degree asks that, by the influence of the pure principles of our Fraternity, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness, to the honor of Thy Holy Name. . Is it wrong to own a Masonic Lodge Bible? 2023 Freemasons Community | All Rights Reserved. When it comes to language usage, both Bibles have distinct ways of conveying their message. Is belief in the Great Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) the same thing as belief in the God of the Bible. Biblical historians and scholars often collect antiquarian Bibles for the various translations that have been printed all over the world. In their lodges, Masons use the King James Version of the Holy Bible in which they add an additional book called The Book of Constitutions. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake;I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans. False. I receive several e-mails each month from family members asking what they should do with their deceased loved one's Masonic regalia or jewelry. Furthermore, while some Christian denominations accept certain parts of the Masonic Bible into their services (such as hymns), it is not considered suitable for general Christian worship.
Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager,
Currys Carryout Pizza Wyoming, Il,
Just The Two Of Us Wedding Packages,
When Does Jake Stewart Get Caught In Wentworth,
Limited Capability For Work Payments 2022,
Articles W