The quotes to follow are from the same Masonic author, some of which are not opposed to Christianity at large and even parallel Christian belief in a limited way. Its important to remember that every effective lie must contain some kernel of truth in order to be received as true in its entirety by those seeking truth, but ignorant of sound doctrine.
“Out of this simple faith grows, by inevitable logic, the philosophy which Masonry teaches in signs and symbols in pictures and parables. Stated briefly, stated vividly, it is that behind the pageant of nature, in it and over it, there is a Supreme Mind which initiates, impels, and controls all.” Pg. 266 252 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1916
(Here the author acknowledges a common masonic belief in a monotheistic god)
“Upon the altar of Masonry lies the open Bible which, despite the changes and advances of the ages, remains the greatest Modern book – the moral manual of civilization” pg. 265 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1916
(Here the author acknowledges scripture as a revered book and "moral manual" without giving it any credit for divine inspiration or any notion of inerrancy)
“While Masonry is theocratic in its faith and philosophy, it does not limit its conception of the Divine, much less insist upon any one name for “the Nameless One of a hundred names.” Pg. 262 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1916
(Here the same Masonic author denies the content of the book that he previously reveres, making any name of god equivalent to the name above all names of scripture.)
11. "This is the `stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'' Acts 4:11-12
“Upon the threshold of its Lodges every man, whether prince or peasant, is asked to confess his faith in God the Father Almighty, the Architect and Master - builder of the universe.” Pg. 261 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1916
“Of no one age, Masonry belongs to all ages; of no one religion, it finds great truths in all religions. Indeed, it holds that truth which is common to all elevating and benign religions, and is the basis of each; that faith which underlies all sects and over-arches all creeds, like the sky above and the river bed below the flow of mortal years. It does not undertake to explain or dogmatically to settle those questions or solve those dark mysteries which out-top human knowledge. Beyond the facts of faith it does not go. With the subtleties of speculation concerning those truths, and the unworldly envies growing out of them, it has not to do. There divisions begin, and Masonry was not made to divide men1916, but to unite them, leaving each man free to think his own thought and fashion his own system of ultimate truth. All its emphasis rests upon two extremely simple and profound principles – love of God and love of man. Therefore, all through the ages it has been, and is today, a meeting place of differing minds, and a prophecy of the final union of all reverent and devout souls.” Pg. 254 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa,
17. Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:17-18
Joseph F. Newton even quotes John Ruskin, the Masonic sage of sages, elevating Free Masonry above the church of our Lord Jesus the Christ.
“Masonry, as it is much more than a political party or social cult, is also more than a church- unless we use the word church as Ruskin used it when he said: “There is a true church wherever one hand meets another helpfully, the only holy or mother church that ever was or ever shall be!” It is true that Masonry is not a religion, but it is Religion, a worship in which all good men may unite, that each may share the faith of all.” Pg. 250 “The Builders, a story and study of Masonry” by Joseph Fort Newton. Published by: The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1916
How is this possible? How does a man, or an organization, revere scripture without acknowledging the truth of what it says? To understand this we have to look into the nature of symbolism as it pertains to Free Masonry. Fortunately, another Masonic author gives us a book about the symbolism of Free Masonry.