While doing some web surfing, I came across a series of videos of a televised debate concerning the compatibility of Freemasonry and Christianity which aired on the UK satellite channel Revelation TV. The debate involved Worshipful Brother Robert A. Gilbert and Reverend John Otis. The videos are embedded below, but first an introduction to the participants:
W. Bro. Gilbert is a writer, editor and speaker. He is Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076. In 1997, He served as the Prestonian Lecturer for the United Grand Lodge of England. He also served as editor of the masonic research journal Ars Quatour Coronotorum.
Rev. John Otis is Pastor of Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, a church plant in Graham, NC affiliated with the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church (CRPC) denomination. He is the author of several books, including Unveiling Freemasonry’s Idolatry, which are self-published under his own publishing label Triumphant Publications.
What originally captured my attention, beyond my personal interest as both a Christian and Freemason, is the proximity of Rev. Otis’ church plant to my home, especially as my wife and I seek a church home. Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church is meeting about a mile from my house in the chapel of Alamance Christian School, where both my wife and I were students. I found the church website, which led me to Rev. Otis’ Triumphant Publications website and, in turn, to the debate videos. For now, I’ve decided not to visit Rev. Otis’ church for a couple of reasons: First, I’m a bit wary of pastors who self-publish under their own label – it seems a bit egotistical and possibly a sign that their work may have been unaccepted by mainstream publishing houses; Second, I saw and heard enough in the debate to give me the impression that Rev. Otis’ understanding and application of the Christian Faith may be similar to the abusive fundamentalism that I am trying to avoid in selecting a church home.
While I don’t agree with Rev. Otis’ conclusions about Freemasonry, healthy debate is good for promoting understanding. W. Bro. Gilbert had the more difficult position to present as most know much about Christianity and very little about Freemasonry. In my experience, the average person’s knowledge of Freemasonry is limited to what they have seen on television. I like to explain it this way…what if your only understanding of Christ was how He is presented on the History Channel, would you really know Christ? Now consider that statement in relation to Freemasonry. Keep that in mind as you watch…
My commentary on the debate is brief. I believe that W. Bro. Gilbert did an excellent job presenting accurate information about Freemasonry. I am disappointed that Rev. Otis bases the majority of his critique of masonry on hand-selected quotes from authors that, while they are prolific writers on masonic topics, are not authoritative for Freemasonry. One point raised by Rev. Otis concerning a quote he took from Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma was particularly frustrating to watch. Following a familiar established pattern of anti-masons, Rev. Otis took Pike’s quote completely out of context and threw it out like it was a definitive proof of his viewpoint. Unsurprisingly, W. Bro. Gilbert was unprepared to respond as he was unfamiliar with the quote, as are most masons. Pike is one of the most voluminous masonic writers and Morals and Dogma is perhaps his greatest work. However, Neither Pike nor Morals and Dogma speak for Freemasonry. Even the introduction to Morals and Dogma contains this preface from the Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States,
“In preparing this work, the Grand Commander has been about equally Author and Compiler; since he has extracted quite half its contents from the works of the best writers and most philosophic or eloquent thinkers. Perhaps it would have been better and more acceptable if he had extracted more and written less…The teachings of these Readings are not sacramental, so far as the go beyond the realm of Morality into those of other domains of Thought and Truth. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite uses the word “Dogma” in its true sense, of doctrine, or teaching; and is not dogmatic in the odious sense of that term. Every one is entirely free to reject and dissent from whatsoever herein may seem to him to be untrue or unsound.”
Even Pike’s peers knew he could be a bit “out there” and difficult to comprehend. When considering Freemasonry and Christianity, I suggest the same approach recommended by the Supreme Council to the readers of Morals and Dogma…
“Weigh what is taught, and give it fair hearing and unprejudiced judgment.”
As I conclude this post, 2010 comes to a close and 2011 arrives.
To all my Christian brethren and Masonic brethren,
May the Lord bless your endeavors and grant health and happiness to you and your families in the new year.
Fraternally Yours,
Rev. Bro. Marcus S. Orr, Chaplain
Thomas M. Holt Lodge A.F. & A. M. No. 492
