AboutDr. Jay Nelson Forrest Expertise I can answer any question dealing with Christian mysticism, such as questions concerning the awakening call, the purgative way, the illuminative way, the unitive way, spiritual experiences, spiritual direction, spiritual disciplines, prayer, ecstasy, the rule of life, internal monasticism, asceticism, mystical theology, devotional helps, chanting, meditation, contemplation, hesychasm, and more.
Experience
Dr. Jay N. Forrest is an ardent student of Christian mysticism in all three branches of Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant). Jay Forrest was a Charismatic minister for over 20 years, pastoring churches in Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, and New Mexico. He is the author over over 150 articles and poems and several books. He currently is a Adult Sunday School teacher for Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.
Question ------------------------- i still don't get it , so does it mean they believe in the devil as there god ? or can u explain to me more ?
Followup To
Question -
WHAT IS MASONIC , AND WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE?
Answer -
Hi Silva,
Below is a qoute from Wikipedia on Freemasonry, which is also know as Masonic. After the quotes is a link that will give you more information about the Masons. I hope this answers your question.
Your servant in Christ,
Jay N. Forrest
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Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organisation. Its members are joined together by shared ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature, and, in most of its branches, by a common belief in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is an esoteric art, in that certain aspects of its internal work are not generally revealed to the public. Masons give numerous reasons for this, one of which is that Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues, and that the system is less effective if the observer knows beforehand what will happen. It often calls itself "a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
While regular Masonry has always tended as much to rationalism as it does to mysticism, there are some groups of Masons, such as Masonic Rosicrucians, who may interpret Masonic ritual magically (or "hermetically"). This is their right as Masons, given the fraternity's non-dogmatic stance, but is by no means indicative of the fraternity as a whole. However, the very existence of the possibility of hermetic interpretations within Masonry has led some Christians to label Freemasonry as Satanic. This charge is commonly made about any hermetic society that has ritualistic practices reserved for the initated and also against any beliefs other than the religion of the person making the accusation.
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Source: Wikipedia, Freemasonry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonic
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Answer Hi Silva,
No, they don't believe in the devil as their god. The Masons are a diverse group, and their are some who look on an Angel of Light as a guide. Some of the Evangelicals may view this Angel of Light as Lucifer, whom the Bible refers to as satan.
But if you are more liberal in your theology you may take a completely different view, as one of the bishops of the Liberal Catholic Church does: http://www.gpdemolay.org/freemasonry/truth.htm
I cannot tell you what to believe. I respect both Worley and Finney. Worley is my bishop in the church were I was ordained (as a Reader); Finney was a major influence in my early years in helping me think outside the theological box of Evangelicalism.
I hope it gives you some direction. My own decision regarding the masons is to remain neutral. I see both pros and cons, but I personally do not have enough knowledge of the group to give any judgment. Far too many in the church are quick to judge, but slow to understand.
