The Masonic Scholar

Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Hence Anti-Christian?

Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Anti-Christian?

 

Kerry A. Shirts, 32°

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 31, 2010

 It is truly enough that Pastor David S. Janssen’s contention has been thwarted and truly demonstrated with the evidence that Freemasonry is religiously guilty of using pagan religious teachings and philosophy as the inspiration for Freemasonic ceremonies, and therefore to be shunned as an Anti-Christian enemy of Satanic, occult influences and wickedness.[1] I say, it is truly enough for an open minded and fair assessment of the evidence de Hoyos and Morris bring forth for someone who is willing to be fair. The evidence they marshall together is pretty strong actually.

 Any look into the history of the Christian church will demonstrate “that one of the hallmarks of early Christianity was its adoption and transformation of pagan ceremonies and symbols.”[2] The record is clear that when Pope Zacharius objected about the pagan festivals of the Germans on the Rhine during

Many Thanks to My Good Friend S.G.I.G. Joe Alexander

I was given a book as a gift and welcome into the Scottish Rite this last week (Thursday), 2 days ago by Brother Alexander. It is written by Jim Tresner, Vested in Glory, The Aprons, Cordons, Collars, Caps, and Jewels of the Degrees of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry,  one of the most sumptuous and gorgeous books I have ever seen. I finished reading it today, and it is a wonderful resource! I really, REALLY liked what Brother Tresner said about symbolism in general. Symbolism is one of my favorite subjects (perhaps because I am an artist in wood working, and really love shapes).

One reason why it is a good thing to like symbols is because it "expands the brain." (p. 10 - all quotes on this page)

I like that immensely! They teach us how to think anew, as well as creatively. "When we let a symbol play on our minds, we often find ourselves surprised by a new idea or association. Symbols do a good job of stimulating our creativity." I can absolutely, without question, second that comment.

"Fuzzy logic and fuzzy thinking have become positive terms in recent years rather than negative descriptions. The best I can pin down the meaning is this: fuzzy logic or thinking is thinking which 'has enough give' in it that the starting point doesn't completely determine the outcome. Pure or hard logic is inflexible. Fuzzy logic allows for unexpected and, therefore, creative outcomes."

One of the most important points Brother Tresner gives is that "Symbols can elevate the spirit, lead us to the contemplation of eternal verities, put us in resonance with our higher selves."

And finally, "symbols are fun!" I had to laugh when I read that. I cannot possibly disagree with that in any manner. They are also practical as Brother Tresner noted Einstein, Kekule, Bell, and other inventors, scientists, etc., used symbols that literally transformed our lives, from long chain polymers, to telephones, to relativity. 

This book is beautifully illustrated with Paintings by Robert White (whom I mistakenly called "Brother Woods" in my videos - oops! It is well written, very informative, profoundly insightful, and just a terrific read. It is 223 pages, has some powerfully referenced appendices, and is a seriously handy and valuable addition to my growing Masonic library. Thank you for such a gift Brother Alexander. It is one I will read again and again and again, and reference to many a times in my writings and videos.

New Videos on Freemasonic Sacred Geometry Online

See here for the 5 part series on the seriously interesting actual practical aspects of symbolism and sacred geometry for our use in our lives, not simply as spiritual philosophy or theosophy, but actual application for bettering our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason

The Backyard Freemason Video Series NEW on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason

Here is my introduction to the videos on Freemasonry I will produce over the next several years. I hope they are beneficial, enjoyable, funny, and  informative.
 

Is Masonic Prayer and Ritual Sorcery & Magic?

With its various symbols, rituals, swords, clothing, prayers, etc., is Freemasonry just simply magic or sorcery? This is a question arising from time to time, along with the accusation of Freemasonry being Satanism in disguise.  Are the oral teachings, memorization, etc., used for casting spells? Sorcery is forbidden in the Bible, one of the sacred books which Christian and Mormon Masons may use as the sacred book in the lodge, exactly as a Muslim may use the Koran, and an Indian use the Bhagavad Gita or Upanishads for their sacred book.

What one needs to understand from the Bible is the meaning and use of sorcery if one is to see it in use within Freemasonry. A cursory examination of the main places sorcery is mentioned in the Bible is instructive.

Here are some ideas I found in my various lexicons and dictionaries. The sorcerer in Revelation is the masculine noun φάρμακος (pharmakos), he/she is one who practices black magical arts (Rev

Just Try THIS.... I DARE You, TRY IT!

Just for ONE day, I have challenged us to say NOTHING but *NICE* comments to EVERYONE you bump into or see who looks at you. Find something...ANYTHING to say something uplifting, nice, and be sincere. FIND something good in ALL people you interact with in one day. Then do it again and again. After a mere week, watch the MAGIC come alive. I promise. I promise, PROMISE, ***PROMISE*** it will change lives, not just your own.

What if absolutely everyone in our world would do this. Once. Then once more, then once more, for just 3 mere days? What would happen? Yes, I am just one mere person of billions, but I AM ONE, and I CAN BEGIN SOMETHING LIKE THIS......... what if only 10 people take this up? 100? 1,000? 500,000? See what I am leading to?

On A Serious Note, It's Time to Make Light of Something

Freemasonry has been criticized in the past for an almost obsessive use of the term "light." Some have claimed that this "light" we proclaim is a reference to salvation instead of to knowledge or truth. "Many anti-Masons believe that the term 'light' refers to an alleged salvation available through Freemasonry. As any dictionary indicates, there are many definitions of light. The term does not always refer to Jesus Christ or Salvation. The definition is determined by the person using the term, not by the interpreter. The motto of the Baltimore Sun is 'Light for All.' Would anyone argue that the Baltimore Sun is teaching salvation in its pages? No. It uses light in the sense of knowledge or information, just as do Masons. The motto of Yale University is 'LUX' a Latin word for 'light.' The list could go on."

I find this little interesting insight in The Idaho Freemason, (Januuary, 2008): 3, 10. It is taken from the EMESSAY NOTES, Dec. 2007, original source is Dr. Gary Leazer's book Fundamentalism and Freemasonry.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall... Who's the Fairest of Them All?: The Power of Clarity

The Worshipful Grand Orator, Lon Woodbury proclaimed something I believe very much worth repeating. In his wonderful article "Three Steps to Clarity," in The Idaho Freemason, (April, 2007): 6, he noted that "the highest meaning of the term Master Mason is finding spiritual light." He used an interesting little ditty from the 1960's (for those of us who can remember those times!), "If it feels good do it!" Now what are we as Masons supposed to find in parallel with that comment? Isn't that just permission for a free for all? No. He explains it within Masonic terms that I found powerful. "This mantra from the 1960's is suggesting we should satisfy and feed our emotional desires, rather than discipline and control them. As became evident to the survivors of the 1960's, it is impossible to achieve a good life or do anything significant if we spend our energy feeding our desires and following our emotions wherever they may take us." And with all the

The Throne of God

The Throne of Glory at the Creation

By Kerry A. Shirts, 32

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Rashi, (R Schlomoh ben Yizchak - b1040 C. E.) the medieval Jewish commentator and scholar, commented on the creation account in Genesis that what was hovering (merachephet) over the waters during the initial stages of creation was not the Spirit of God, but rather the throne of God.(1) He said Kiseh’ hakavod ‘omed ba’avir umerachef al peni hamayim beruach piv shel haqadosh baruch hu’ - “The Throne of Glory was standing in the air and hovering over the surface of the water by the breath of the mouth of the Holy One, Blessed be He.“2) This is quite a remarkable insight which I believe is elaborated on in the Zohar in interesting ways. This is one of those esoteric interpretations which is not in the scripture, but is assumed knowledge of those who are, so to speak, “in the know.” One of those underlying fun little ditties which is generally not known, yet is believed by the mystical Jews. How it changes or helps our understanding of creation is very interesting to note.

I find it interesting that he lived before the great flowering of the Zohar, yet understood this idea of the Throne of God, even from before the

beginning of the Creation. The Zohar also has much about the Throne of Glory, or Throne of God, and in fact, portrays it as the Tree of Life. In the Kabbalah, this tree has three columns (some commentators say they are the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and it is this tree which helps unite the male and female into eternal union, such as Adam and Eve were before the Fall. The interesting

Ascension on the "Stairway of the Planets": Tarot as a Western Book of the Dead; Emerald Tablet as an Ascension Text

Ascension on the "Stairway of the Planets": Tarot as a Western Book of the Dead; Emerald Tablet as an Ascension Text

Kerry A. Shirts, 32
Eagle Rock Lodge
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Is the Tarot a Western Book of the Dead, and the Hermetic Emerald Tablet, the famous Tabula Smaragdina, an ascension text? Does it have anything to do with the ideas of ascension? I am going to propose that in a round about way it can be understood as an ascension text, not as Dante’s Paradisio, the Book of Enoch, or Ezekiel’s visions of the Divine Chariot-Throne of God in the Old Testament are, that is, not as an actual description of a person ascending to heaven, receiving instruction via a vision, or an angel teaching the ascendant, etc., but as a text which elucidates the idea of ascension. A person who purifies his/her soul, can and ought to have an ascension to heaven for oneself. This is the whole core, the entire reason for Alchemy, Kabbalah, and Hermeticism.

I will further propose that the Medieval Tarot Cards, with their spiritually significant symbolisms are ascension texts par excellence, as instructional symbolisms for us to comprehend that we are from the higher worlds, (the fundamental meaning and

The All-Seeing Eye of Freemasonry & Egyptian Horus Eye: Seeing the Light

The Freemason All Seeing Eye & The Egyptian Eye of Horus: Seeing the Light

 

Kerry A. Shirts, 32°

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 16, 2010

 The “All-Seeing Eye” in Freemasonry has the intention, the guided meaning for us that “all the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings; that the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good, and especially upon them that fear him and hope in his mercy.”[1] Sir Lionel Brett claimed that “the concept of an all-seeing deity goes back at least to Euripides, 5^th century B.C.. The phrase was proverbial.”[2] And, of course, as a symbol, not to mention the actual reality, the eye is the most important sense we possess, since it is through the eye we receive light, the most significant goal of Freemasonry. “In the symbolism of Freemasonry, the ‘all-seeing eye’ in the triangle and surrounded by sunbeams appears in many lodges over the master’s chair, a reminder of the wisdom of the Creator, the “Great Master Builder of All Worlds,” penetrates all secrets; the eye is in some contexts also called the ‘eye of providence.’”[3] These ideas resonate in the ancient Egyptian concept of the Wedjat eye, also called “The Eye of Horus.”

 Rather than worrying about tracing the origin of the concept or the actual time the phrase was first used, or when it was adopted into Freemasonry, I will share some themes from the ancient Egyptian concept of the “Eye of Horus,” and it’s meanings, themes, and contents in the ancient Egyptian rites. This

On Atheists WOW....

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/04/believe-it-or-not

Spectacular Masonic Research Network

Come on in and enjoy the incredible amounts of information and brotherhood and friendship here!

http://www.freemasonry-siouxland.org/htdocs/yabbfiles/Attachments/MRN_Handout.pdf

The Compass: Freemasonry Symbolism, Mysticism & Monad

The Compass in Freemasonry & Philosophy

 

By Kerry A. Shirts MM

Eagle Rock Lodge # 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 10, 2010

 

In the “Transactions” of the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965, Vol. 28/2 (Oct. 2006), an article “Compass – Set at 60 Degree Angle” by Jack L. Abrams, PM, (as originally found in the 2006 Trestle Board of Ionic Composite Lodge No. 520, in Fraternal Review of the Southern California Lodge of Research) appeared on pp. 11-12, discussing the compass and its 60 degree angle. Why is it set at 60 degrees?

 “The reason is the equilateral triangle has always been sacred.” [1] The sum of all angles of a triangle is of course 180 degrees. Divide by 3 and we get 60 degrees. “The compass thus set at 60 degrees alludes to

The Meaning of the Word "Freemason": An Historic Note of Interest

Brother G. W. Speth in the very first edition ever published of the "Ars Quatuor Coronatorum" (Vol. 1,1886)  gave a lecture entitled "Scottish Freemasonry Before the Era of Grand Lodges," wherein he enumerated some interesting ideas about the actual meaning of the word "Freemason," and its use in history. Other brothers at the lodge were intrigued, interested, and even disagreed in some respects. Since this time, I am more than sure this has been discussed again and again, but from a strictly historical interest, some of his ideas deserve to be read. All the ideas I take from page 140. 

The first time the word was used was in 1636.

The Holy Saints John: Interesting!

Heh... upon becoming a Mason for the first time, I must confess, when I learned the lodges have the patron saints "The Holy Saints John," meaning John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, I was intrigued. My mind raced trying to figure out what the point of these two were. I rather liked the theme, but what was the thematic, philosophical background to acquiring these two specific saints as the Patrons of Freemasonry? And now I have run into a nifty little piece which gives me much food for thought, and a willingness to now delve into it much stronger than I have been.

Ed Halpaus says that the Saints John are introduced immediately upon acquiring the first degree of Masonry, which is true enough. I shall quote the good brother as he says it so much better than I.

"In the lecture the new Mason is told about the point within a circle, the two perpendicular parallel lines and the book of Holy Scriptures. At the time a man is made an Entered Apprentice Freemason, there are two living lines of Brethren at the altar which are representative of the two Saints John; the line on the South represents St. John the Baptist, and the one on the North represents St. John the Evangelist.

St. John the Baptist represents a new beginning just as the initiation into Freemasonry does, so it could be said that St. John the Baptist is symbolic of initiation."[1] Later in his article, he noted that "In addition to symbolizing initiation St. John the Baptist also symbolizes the awakening of our Moral Nature." (p. 52)

With St. John the Evangelist, "His constant admonition in the Epistles, to the cultivation of Brotherly Love and the mystical nature of his Apocalyptic vision, have been, perhaps, the principle reason for the veneration paid to him by the Craft."[2] "He supports the lesson that righteousness will eventually prevail over evil, and that love with triumph over hatred. Through his devotion he shows the way to persoal victory over evil, and he is rightly regarded by Masons as one of Freemasonry's Patron Saints.... St. John the Baptist represents that type of moral purity we should all strive to attain, and St. John the Evangelist represents the brotherly love and affection we should all entertain toward each other. TOgether they symbolize the belief and faith that is necessary in every Mason."[3]

A nifty symbolism that makes all kinds of sense to me. I suspect this is the nutshell of some very interesting themes I will write up on eventually as I learn more.

Endnotes

1. Ed Halpaus, "The Holy Saints John," in "Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research & Letters," (April 2006): 52.

2. "Ibid.," p. 53.

3. "Ibid.," p. 53.

Jacob's Ladder: Ascension is the Key in Freemasonry

Just reading in the AQC again. This time in Vol. 84 (1971): 327, where they are asked what does the ceiling of your lodge consist of? The answer is a starry covered canopy of multi-hues just as the heavens are so. And how do we arrive at it? The answer is by the assistance of a ladder, Jacob's ladder specifically. THe ladder was quite similar in function to the pillars of Solomon's Temple in that it reached to the high heavens yet was grounded here o earth. Our highway to the sky so to speak. Interesting, when asked how many rungs it has, they noted it has "Many staves or rounds which point out as many moral virtues, but three principle ones, FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY."

So, as I have time, I shall research Jacob's Ladder and ascension themes. The subject is utterly immense. Far larger than any one I have yet discussed. 

בעז & יכין Jachin & Boaz: Solomon’s Pillars and Freemasonic Symbolism

בעז & יכין ‪Jachin & Boaz: Solomon’s Pillars and Freemasonic Symbolism

 

By Kerry A. Shirts MM

Eagle Rock Lodge 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 1, 2010

 

No feature of Solomon’s Temple has had more commentary than the two pillars flanking the front entrance of Solomon’s Temple. But what do they mean? I won’t discuss all facets of them in this paper, but will work with the historical and etymological meanings of the names, and some other features in the discussions of the scholarship on the Ancient Near Eastern temples. And in the legends of our Craft, I will touch on a few items of interest to Masons concerning the pillars, the symbolisms as I understand them within Masonry. As always, the interpretations, research, meanings, and understandings I present here, are strictly my own, not to be construed as “the” meaning for the pillars in Masonry. Freemasonry has no dogma, nor any book which all Masons must conform to in order to understand “correct doctrine.”[1]

 But a little background never hurts, so I take a page to show the historical and archaeological discoveries that shed light on the temple.

 One the most recent studies covering an enormous amount of ground on Solomon’s Temple says “Solomon’s Temple is part of a common temple-building tradition in Syria and Canaan, indeed, in terms of form and ornamentation, Solomon’s Temple could be considered quite typical of the region. The closest