Andrew Murray – Masonic Charismatic Calvinist
Many people view Andrew Murray as a great preacher, a godly man, while others believe there is something not quite right about him. I have spent many a month investigating Freemasonry with regards to pastors in churches in South Africa. We know that John Calvin was a Freemason. We know that most if not all of the Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa were established by Freemasons who hid under the cover of Christianity.
Was Andrew Murray one of them? A Freemason who infiltrated the church to preach another gospel and another Jesus? Let us take a look.
Andrew Murray was the second child of Andrew Murray Sr. (1794–1866), a Dutch Reformed Church missionary sent from Scotland to South Africa. He was born in Graaff Reinet, South Africa. His mother, Maria Susanna Stegmann, was of French Huguenot and German Lutheran descent.[1]
The Obelisk
The obelisk is a ubiquitous gravestone shape found in American graveyards. … The obelisk is said to represent a single ray of sunlight, petrified from sunlight into stone. It was thought that the Egyptian sung god Ra lived within the obelisks. These towering monuments were often placed flanking the entrance to temples.”
https://gravelyspeaking.com/2012/09/10/the-obelisk/
The church, if established by a freemason would have the obelisk gravestone on the grounds to the ‘temple of Solomon’ aka church
A Church built on a Masonic Foundation
When the first pastor that opened the church dies and his gravestone or memorial like an obelisk is placed within the church grounds it means that the church was born into Freemasonry. It’s fundamental foundation is Freemasonry and everything that rests above that foundation is Freemasonry. That means that forever, that church will be contaminated by Freemasonry. And every preacher that comes thereafter (that is not genuinely saved) will either be a Freemason or be deceived by false teaching.
Andrew Murray and his Obelisk
My parents were fortunate enough to travel to Graaff Reinet many many years ago and happened to pass Andrew Murray’s church. They hopped out the car and my mother spotted an Obelisk in the church grounds. She took a picture through the fence. No where on the internet will you find a picture of this church showing Andrew Murray’s Obelisk.
It is said that once upon a time Andew Murray supposedly ‘once’ preached against Freemasonry. Freemasons are renowned liars, and will do and say anything to protect themselves from being caught out. If he was against Freemasonry, he would have renounced Freemasonry and had his name removed from the registry at the Masonic Lodge he belonged to.
Laying of Freemason cornerstone at ‘Nieuwe Kerk’ – Tafelberg Dutch Reformed Church in 1892.
“This imposing late Victorian church complex, which was designed by the architect G.A. Alexander and inaugurated on 27 January 1893, was donated by Susanna Maria Johanna Hertzog to the “Nieuwe Kerk” to be held in trust until the community in the area were self supporting. The laying of the cornerstone with the usual Freemasons reverence on 19 February 1892 by J.H. Hofmeyr, Grand Master of the Lodge De Goede Hoop not only complied with the only condition set by Miss Hertzog when making the donation, but makes this a unique occurrence as this must be the only Dutch Reformed Church were the cornerstone was laid by a member of the Freemasons.”
Inauguration performed in 1893 by Dr Andrew Murray and 2 others. [Emphasis added]
https://sahris.sahra.org.za/sites/920180102
Andrew Murry built this own Masonic church in Graaff Reinet (his home town)
The first recorded church was in Church Street. Building of a church started in 1792 but was destroyed by fire in 1799 before it could be completed. A second church was completed in September 1800 on the site of the present Dutch Reformed Church or Groot Kerk at the northern end of Church Street. With the arrival of the Rev Andrew Murray in 1822 building of a third church was started and the second church demolished. The third church with its thatched roof, gables, clock tower and encircling wall was completed in 1823 and served the community for 60 years. On the 12th April 1886 the foundation stone was laid for the fourth and existing church which is Gothic Revival and based on the lines of Salisbury Cathedral in England with the inaugural sermon delivered on the 11th September 1887. The stone for this church was obtained locally and the church which can seat 1,250 and has a steeple of 45, 72 metres boasts a chimney, an unusual feature for a church. [Emphasis added]
https://www.graaffreinet.co.za/listing/dutch_reformed_church_ng_graaff_reinet
The foundation stone, corner-stone or setting stone:
The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder, and other significant individuals. The rite of laying a cornerstone is an important cultural component of eastern architecture and metaphorically in sacred architecture generally.
Some cornerstones include time capsules from, or engravings commemorating, the time a particular building was built.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone
And example of a Masonic ceremony to lay the foundation stone:
The Royal Arch Keystone
Andrew Murray added the Masonic stamp of approval on the door way. In reference to King Solomon temple:
An Arch, by design, reaches to the sky or upward the closest stone in an arch is the Keystone. This is meant to reflect that we should build our Arch toward God completing it with our Keystone that we have shaped. This further means, we should be using the knowledge of God and our Faith in Him we have attained to accomplish this task …to find our purpose in His Temple.
The Keystone: https://www.discerningtheworld.com/images/wpi/StTheKeystone.pdf
What does a Masonic Royal Arch Keystone look like?
Andrew Murray’s Royal Arch keystone imbedded into the church that he built:
The Masonic M hand sign:
Andrew Murray’s family
It is not so well known that when a Freemason has sons, when they are of the age to be accepted into Freemasonry, the father will expect his sons to join him in this occult secret society. If a son rejects the idea, he becomes an utter outcast within the family. The father will reject his son and offer him absolutely no help of any kind throughout his entire life – the son would have lost his father’s love. The other son or sons who are initiated will become the father’s favorite and be doted upon and receive every bit of help they can get throughout their entire life.
Was Andrew Murray’s brother a freemason?
I managed to find the obelisk of Andrew Murray’s brother John Murray. Does this mean Andrew Murray’s father was a Freemason? You can bet your bottom dollar that we was and it was he that introduced his sons to Freemasonry.
Andrew Murray’s unbilical beliefs:
Through his writings, South-African reformed pastor Andrew Murray was also a key “Inner Life” or “Higher Life” or Keswick leader, and his theology of faith healing and belief in the continuation of the apostolic gifts made him a significant forerunner of the Pentecostal movement. [2] [Emphasis added]
Ross, Thomas D. (2014), “Andrew Murray, Keswick / Higher Life Leader: a Biographical Sketch”
The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a focal point for the Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by an Anglican, Canon T. D. Harford-Battersby, and a Quaker, Robert Wilson. [Emphasis added]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keswick_Convention
Keswickian theology or Higher Life Movement
The main idea in the Keswickian theology of the Higher Life movement is that the Christian should move on from his initial conversion experience to also experience a second work of God in his life. This work of God is called “entire sanctification,” “the second blessing,” “the second touch,” “being filled with the Holy Spirit,” and various other terms. Higher Life teachers promote the idea that Christians who receive this blessing from God can live a more holy, that is less sinful or even a sinless, life. [Emphasis added]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_Life_movement
Second Blessing?
“Pentecostalism was born out of the Holiness movement.[3] William J. Seymour and Charles Fox Parham were both Holiness ministers and were seen by their followers as being used by God to restore Pentecost to the Church. Pentecostalism teaches that the believer could, in addition to becoming sanctified, receive power from God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ” [4] [Emphasis added]
So being born again is not enough according to Keswickian / Quakerism / Pentecostalism, and having the Holy Spirit come to abide in you at the moment of becoming a new creature in Jesus Christ is not enough. You need a second blessing by the Holy Spirit or you need to be “filled with the Holy Spirit“ that will give you power, like speaking in tongues and/or other apostolic gifts.
Dear friends, upon being born again, justification is God’s righteous act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin, from an unbeliever when they are saved – the curse is removed. God declares the ungodly to be righteous, through faith alone in Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
- Romans 3:25-26 “25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
We are also immediately sanctified (set apart, made holy, a new creature, a child of God) when we are born again.
- Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
- Psalms 4:3 “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.”
However sanctification continues after we are saved. There is a progressive work of God that takes place as a believer grows to be more like Jesus Christ (not to become Christ (or god) as the church now-a-days teaches).
For instance, the Apostle Paul writes, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Christians are to grow in holiness, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” (Romans 6:19).
By reason of Christ’s victory over sin and of His indwelling Spirit, all of the saved may and should experience deliverance from the power of sin by obedience to “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11). Because believers have been set free from their slavery to sin, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).
As saints and members of the true Church we are to maintain a Christ-honoring testimony, separate from all forms of worldliness and apostasy, and to demonstrate obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and love to all men.
A believer does not need this so called second blessing from the Holy Spirit to live a righteous life, because when born again the believer already has the Holy Spirit who has come to abide in them. This ‘second blessing’ is not the Holy Spirit but another filthy spirit.
It is interesting to note that Billy Graham followed the Keswick movement as well:
It was Stephen Olford who introduced Billy Graham to the Keswick message at a Keswick Convention in 1946. Graham wrote in his autobiography, Just As I Am, that this teaching came to him as a second blessing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keswick_Convention
Conclusion
As can be clearly seen Andrew Murray was a false teacher, who took upon the teachings of the Quakers with their Kundalini quaking and shaking. He too was a Calvinist who believed in the doctrine of Election. I have mentioned before that the doctrine of Election (Predestination – that God elects some before the foundation of the world to be saved and the rest He dooms to hell for the fun of it) forms the very basis of every conceivable religion in the world – from Islam to Pentecostalism (Word of Faith, Apostolic and Prophetic etc.)
Andrew Murray was a Freemason, and a Charismatic Calvinist.
Notes:
[1] “Murray, Andrew”. Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. 7. Nasou Limited. 1971. p. 653.
[2] Ross, Thomas D. (2014), “Andrew Murray, Keswick / Higher Life Leader: a Biographical Sketch”, The Doctrine of Sanctification: An Exegetical Examination, with Application, in Historic Baptist Perspective, to which is Appended a Historical, Exegetical, and Elenctic Evaluation of Influential Errors, Particularly the Keswick Theology, Great Plains Baptist Divinity School
[3] Archer, Kenneth J. (2004-12-30). A Pentecostal hermeneutic for the twenty-first century: spirit, scripture and community. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 15.
[4] The West Tennessee Historical Society Papers – Issue 56. West Tennessee Historical Society. 2002. p. 41 “Seymour’s holiness background suggests that Pentecostalism had roots in the holiness movement of the late nineteenth century. The holiness movement embraced the Wesleyan doctrine of “sanctification” or the second work of grace, subsequent to conversion. Pentecostalism added a third work of grace, called the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is often accompanied by glossolalia.”
Terrific article Deborah (and not at all surprising). When under the strong delusion of Pentecostalism, I had no interest in reading Murray. My mother was devoted to his books and showed me a very heretical passage in his book THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST which stated that Murray had received the special revelation that Christ and the Holy Spirit had fused into the same person. That something had happened at the Ressurrection to cause this to take place. I was in error up to my eyeballs but I knew this was wrong (and a version of Modalism that heretics like Steven Furtick teach in this day and age, possibly due to his unholy alliance with and idolatry of TD Jakes.)
This article made me think of a good exposè I recently read of the so-called Welsh revival. I believe Murray and the Keswick movement come up either in this article or in others connected to it. Evan Roberts was badly affected by the meetings, which sound like previews of Azusa St and the Toronto Blessing, with all manner of strange visions and necromancy. Roberts wound up a bitter old man with little or no faith in the gospel. Here is the link:
https://kentbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2018/06/evan-roberts-welsh-revival-of-1904-1905_1.html?m=1
My best to you and Tom, Mike
Mike
:like:
Christians are to grow in holiness,
“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” (Romans 6:19).
This is what the Lord has revealed to me. I was blinded by my idolatrous lifestyle, now I can’t stand it. In the past I did not believe one needs to be ‘set apart’. I could not understand did not think it was possible…. I was blinded by worldy traditions false doctrine. And I was content in living a sinful life. Not anymore.
HI Marthina. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.
So sad that supposed children of God, play judge and jury. Let’s encourage one another to walk as Jesus did, and be His witnesses. Let’s leave this diabolical breaking down of ministers. Obviously the author doesn’t know anything about Andrew Murray. There are real false teachers that have insinuated themselves in Christian churches, today. Those should be mentioned. On the other hand, if God’s children use their time to further the Kingdom of God, in the power of Christ, they would be genuine witnesses of God’s grace, forgiveness and redemption. Too bad it’s wasted on fake information and unhelpful diatribe. Rom. 16:17, Rom. 14:13-23
Hi Romey. Do you believe that justification and sanctification are divided as two separate gifts of God where sanctification is obtained through a new and separate act of faith? An do you believe that sickness is a visible sign of God’s judgment and that healing is granted according to the measure of the faith of the believer?
Hi Tom Lessing, thank you for your questions.
I believe in justification, salvation by grace (Eph.2:8-9). Sanctification is a life long journey.I don’t see it as a separate act of faith. As to whether I believe that sickness is a visible sign of God’s judgement would take a more thoughtful (biblical) response. When the disciples asked whether the blind man sinned or his parents, Jesus replied:”Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him”.(John 9: 2-4). If Christians continue to follow the world, and then sickness, calamities happen, we could see this as God’s judgment. I see it as an act of grace, to wake us up. I don’t see God’s judgment anytime someone is sick. It just isn’t biblical. Not all people who were healed by Jesus, followed Him. They were more interested in the gift than in the Giver. Yet Jesus healed them. On the other hand, the woman with the 12 years long issue, believed that it was sufficient to touch the hem of Jesus garment to be healed. Jesus said: “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mk.5: 25-34); there are of course more such passages. There is much more I could add but as mentioned, it is difficult to present a complete picture on the questions you ask, in a manner that is biblical and also theologically sound. I believe our lives need to demonstrate our obedience to God through Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that bring honour and glory to God. This would show that we take Christ’s injunction to “Come follow Me”, seriously (costly vs. cheap grace).
Colin said:
Sorry, I got a bit distracted here on the note of handsigns and such from Masonry and the occult. I want to ask about that before I continue reading. I do some of these hand signs without meaning or knowing whatever the occult meaning is. What does that mean for me and my spiritual life? I often put my hand to my chin and sometimes stroke the hairs of my beard when I am thinking hard. I sometimes clasp my hands together in so called “scholar’s cradles”. I do not do it with the intent to deceive or manipulate or invoke spiritual power. I do it something like a nervous quirk and I don’t know where I picked it up. Isn’t some gestural language kind of universal? As Christians do we need always stand with our hands plainly at our sides or behind our backs? Occultism has appropriated ( or perhaps created ) so much gesture that I do not know any more if any stance or gesture is safe. When I lean on a staff or cane for support, am I signalling demons and sorcerors unawares? Should I be training myself to be perfectly still and rigid all of the time? What can I do? If I gave a presentation where I presented my experiences or even just plainly read Gospel text but I at any time touched my face would that be used against me as evidence of being a Mason? I am emphatically not a Mason and reject them. They are just another mystery cult peddling lies. I don’t ask to be angry or even dispute the evidences here, but what ought I do? God knows my heart, but I do not know it as well as he does. How can I “repent” of cradling my chin if I don’t do it with sinful intent? My conscience was clean about this, regarding it as innocent, but now I will probably feel doubt every time I do this. What should I do? What is the Biblical perspective?
[Edited by DTW – Sorry Colin, we had an error with the comments section, I’m pre-posting your comment for you]
Hi Colin
Do you agree that putting your hand to your face to rub your beard and in the process unintentionally and unknowingly make a masonic hand sign is very different to a freemason who poses deliberately in pictures and statues with specific hand signs to portray certain meanings?
Hi Romy. Thank you for your response with which I totally agree. But, did you know that Andrew Murray believed in divine healing, even to the extent that sin can prevent God from healing anyone? I think it is safe to contend that divine healing was to Murray a barometer to gauge your spiritual life between a sanctified and an unsanctified life (Higher LIfe). In fact, he claimed that when Jesus Christ spoke of sickness it was always as of an evil caused by sin and that believers should be delivered from sickness because it attacks the body that is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He wrote that Christ took upon Himself the soul and body and redeems both in equal measure from the consequences of sin. Murray contrasts low-level Christians who enjoy no close fellowship with God, no victory over sin and no power to convince the world with those who are “fully saved”, who enjoy unceasing fellowship with God and are holy and full of joy. Justification and sanctification are thus divided as two separate gifts of God where sanctification is obtained through a new and separate act of faith. He taught that sickness is a visible sign of God’s judgment and that healing is granted according to the measure of faith of the believer.
I hope you can see that his view of sickness is a direct affront to the Gospel of salvation. Are you shocked? You should be. Allow me to explain. Jesus Christ said that we would come to know our sinfulness by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He, and He alone, can convince sinners of their sin and lostness, and in addition, the believer’s wading into unholy lifestyles. No, says Murray, the lack of divine healing convinces you that you are walking in sin, and a walk in divine healing shows that you are living a holy life. Now, think of it this way. What do you think an atheist would say if you tell him that “when Jesus Christ spoke of sickness it was always as of an evil caused by sin and that believers should be delivered from sickness because it attacks the body that is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Will you be bringing Him the Gospel or a false gospel that would turn the atheist away from it to an even fiercer animosity than before?
By the way, Jesus did not take upon Himself our souls and bodies when He died on the cross. He took our sins (the sins of the entire world) upon himself. Murray’s view is plain heresy. Moreover, there is ample documentary proof that Murray was a Freemason. And for the record, the author of the article and I are not ” supposed children of God.” We both suffer from some kind of malady which you probably would not appreciate. And yet, we are both saved by the grace of God, not because we believe in divine healing but in God who says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
So next time when you write a comment, put a guard before your mouth because you will have to give an account of every word that proceeds from your mouth, and I really don’t want you to miss out on any rewards God aims to give you.
Tom
Spot on!
The Keswick Higher Life Movement has one major problem with its entire theology and that is called ‘death’.
Everyone gets sick and dies. Everyone.
You can live the healthiest life, but you still will have to die one day.
So logically those within the Higher Life Movement will never receive salvation. As right at the end of their lives, their theology snatches salvation right out from under their feet.
Deborah
What would you tell a young man of your church who approached yourself and your husband regarding sin in his life. Assume for a moment he tells of his profound love of God’s word, of his consistent Bible reading each morning since his initial coming to faith at the age of sixteen, now in his late thirties or early forties. He tells that he has listened to every audio recording in the church library, of which there are a few thousand such recordings, and many twice in a fervent search for an answer to the fight of faith he is waging and yet the sin in his life rages. That he truly loves the church more than life and wants to live a life that comports with the grand testament of faith he professes but that he never fails to disappoint himself and others. And he further goes on to tell that this sin claws at him from within and from without day in and day out without let up and that he can tell no one for the shame this would mean to his otherwise meager face saving reputation. Question, what would you say to this young man?
The Higher Life Movement was not about spiritual giftedness, tongues speaking and the like. The term, Second Blessing, was first used nearly fifty years before the Azusa Street revival, which term was coopted by the Neo-Pentecostal movement. The Keswick Convention and the fervor that flows from the events that transpired there had everything to do with giving a substantive answer to the question posed by the young man above.
But make no mistake, you are right in the final analysis, that all we need we received at the inception of our coming to faith in the Christ. This were seed and that were germination. But please do not conflate the Higher Life Movement with what is said to have occurred at Azusa. Even if everything said to have occurred at Azusa truly happened this has nothing to do with Keswick. The Holy Spirit manifestation in and for giftedness is distinctly and other than the Holy Spirit manifestation in and for holiness in a life lived out in faith believing what we say we believe. And the righteous one shall live by faith R1:17.
Regarding whether Andrew Murray was a Freemason, you give manifest objective evidence in your assertion that he was, which can not easily be explained. Without going into my background and credentials, I could safely be considered a scholar of Andrew Murray, and I can not tell you that I have read everything Andrew Murray has to say but I can tell you that I have read far more of Andrew Murray than most and find nothing in Andrew Murray that would remotely hint at such a claim. You can not support the assertion that Andrew Murray was a Freemason by giving reference to any particular he writes, and the body of his life work available in print is massive, staggering. This would suggest some external and other influence. Andrew Murray would never have wanted the statues of himself and had nothing to do with them being placed following his river crossing. And as for the church tower in Wellington, we know absolutely that his preference was that these funds not be wasted on the proposed church tower at that time but rather he desired these be used for inland missions. It could be that Andrew Murray was aware of the influence of the Freemasons operating within the Dutch Reformed Church. And from everything we know of Andrew Murray based on his life’s work and writing we can definitely say that he would be very much against freemasonry. That in the nature of the case he chose rather to operate within this institution regardless. He did this with regard to rationalism and modernism components operating within the DRC throughout his lifetime choosing rather to work within this deeply flawed institution rather than split the church. This is in contrast to the ease with which people split the church today, which occurs over what color to paint the church basement.
Regarding predestination and the election of believers, this is another topic, impossible to take up affectively at this time, albeit it appears you might be seeing everything through a particular set of lenses. I would merely suggest that you take time to study opposing arguments by working to learn the opposing argument sufficient to argue affectively from the opposing point of view. This exercise will place yourself in a sufficient place to make your own truth claims.
I grew up in a Pentecostal family and ran from this type of Christianity as fast as I could as a young man because I witnessed up close and personal the inconsistency in the lives of those who claimed to have a pipeline to God, tongues speaking et cetera. I perused a cerebral doctrinal gift cessation type theology. After living in Romans chapter seven thirty-five years I finally committed myself to understanding Paul, Romans 5:12-8:39. However it was not until I discovered Andrew Murray that I came into a full understanding of the Gospel Message. The Higher Life Movement is a pursuit of the answer to Paul’s prayer starting in Ephesians 3:18. I hope you will ponder and consider what I write. Much affection with a full heart. Please contact me if you would. I would appreciate discussing matters further.
Dear David DeVey
I would say, instead of “love the church more than life” I quote Jesus’ words:
Matthew 22:37-38 KJV
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
We are saved by Grace, not what is called Lordship Salvation. Please read: https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2020/12/09/lordship-salvation/
And I would stop reading this strange WUEST bible translation with all it’s extra words and so called “expanded translation” and stick to the authorized KJV. I went to look at those verses you quoted and compared them to the KJV and they are totally different.
The bible says
Luke 19:10 KJV
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Please urgently read: :love: https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2017/02/17/seeking-salvation-deliverance/
John Calvin was not a free mason. You have aboslutely NO EVIDENCE to link Calvin to free masonry.
Zacharias Venter
Sorry to inform you but he was: https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2014/11/27/huguenots-john-calvin-freemasonry/
Deborah – Thank you for corrections you make to my initial post. Here is the second and subsequent post with corrects you recommend. I apologize for having copied texts using the Wuest expanded translation. I prefer the New King James Version highly. Thank you for your insightful corrections. Please comment further regarding what I write:
Regarding justification, and sanctification the following shows the Christ to be our sanctification on the basis of the same faith exercised in our initial justification:
1 Corinthians 1:30, 31
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
That there is a distinction between positional sanctification and practical sanctification. Positional, or declarative, and even better, forensic, sanctification and glorification are ours in the Christ Ephesians 2.
Ephesians 2:6 … And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:…
That the believer is to be like Christ:
Romans 8:28-29:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to beconformed to the image of his Son, …
That we are in a battle Royal that our external representation might finally by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit be made to comport with what we are in our inner being:
Romans 8:9–13:
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 12:1, 2:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Then it follows that the initial Keswick conventions and subsequent resulting Higher Life Movement is specifically about how the believer is to go about seeking Holy Spirit power to put to death the deeds of the body and to live a life that comports with our declarative forensic sanctification. (Andrew Murray never ever said anything approaching Wesleyan perfectionism).
That you do not stand down your sinful nature by the power of your regenerate will because the regenerate will is impotent. When at once you attempt this you land in Romans chapter seven:
Romans 7:18:
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Finally, this is not something we work at accomplishing but rather something we cooperate with, something that is being accomplished on our behalf as we simply rest in simple faith maintaining a living relationship with the indwelling (Colossians 1:27) Christ. Murray writes regarding the Christ our true Vine, ourselves being branch men and women:
Philippians 2:13:
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
David DeVey:
How does a saint go about seeking Holy Spirit power to put to death the deeds of the body? Do the words “how,” “go about,” and “seeking” not imply “works?”
You may know that Andrew Murray wrote a book on perfection, “Be Perfect,” which is not, as you pointed out, “Wesleyan perfection.”
Repost of the post submited last weekend with two minor corrections made. Also this repost identifies Tom Lessing to be source of the original question:
Tom Lessing: How does a saint go about seeking Holy Spirit power to put to death the deeds of the body? Do the words “how,” “go about,” and “seeking” not imply “works?”
Answer: Consider for a moment that the answer to this most excellent question were subject of Keswick and all that followed, primary focus of the life and ministry of Andrew Murray and the Higher Life Movement to which he gave himself. That the Gospel might be broken down into two parts, initial conversion and pardon for sins, part one, and practical sanctification and freedom from sin, part two. Keswick and Higher Life was focused on part two. And clearly “[putting] to death the deeds of the body by the power of the Holy Spirit” is Gospel part two since the desire to do so is in itself indication of a regenerate spirit (Romans 8:10-13).
When we talk of these things we are talking about the written, denotative gospel message. That were pointer and sign post not Object. John writes of the mystery that of the incarnation. That He is Logos. That He is the Gospel Message! Paul writes of the mystery that God is love, Love Himself! When we iteratively pursue a holy life, one that meets the specifications of the law of the Christ (Romans 12:1, 2), we encounter Love Himself. That God is Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6) intuits Love is Holy, Holy, Holy (1 Corinthians 13). That this holy life we are in pursuit of is a life of profuse and selfless Love. Paul writes that the Love which Christ has for him pressed on him from all sides, holding him to one end and prohibiting him from considering any other, wrapping itself around him in tenderness, giving him an impelling (internal) motive. That this Love brought him to the conclusion that Christ died on behalf of us all, and that therefore all died, that we were placed into His death (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20), and that He died on behalf of us all in order that we ourselves who are living no longer are living for ourselves and for our own interests but for the One who died on our behalf and instead of us, and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:11-17).
That what we do in all our work and service is His Life of Love animating itself on the external presentation of our lives. That it is His Love because it is His indwelling Life (Colossians 1:27). Anything coming from ourselves must fall short, must fail. Andrew Murray and those who initiated Keswick understood this and were seeking to bring as many to the “Freedom of Life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1-4) as possible.
I hope you will have a change of mind concerning Andrew Murray. That he was like all the rest of us, a deeply flawed individual because “the body is dead because of sin” (Romans 8:10-13). None would want the adulation heaped upon Andrew Murray, statuary and tribute, least of all Andrew Murray. He was a man whose life and writing was progressive prayer. Nothing more.
Hi David DeVey. May I ask, do you practice the presence of God, and if so, how?
Fascinating. I found this article because I was wondering what kind of person this Murray guy wasnafter being offered a daily devotional written by hum. Nope. I never liked daily devotionals anyways because the words of man are competing with the word of God.
The masonic M hand sign is a total mind blowing thing. Ever since my childhood I have noticed people holding their hand like that on tv and in books. I was confused because it was/is an unnatural hand gesture when I tried it. Now I know. As for archeology and its study, its mindboggling how much masonic symbolism is spread all over the place.
Great article. Thank you.
As far as Freemasonry, I certainly won’t take the burden of proof upon myself and disagree with you, but I will say that the evidence you provided is far from sufficient. Even the citation you provided says specifically that it was a “unique occurrence.” Now, that obviously doesn’t excuse it, but in my experience, most pastors and preachers are, sadly, rather naive when it comes to the evils plaguing the world. For example, look at all the pastors and preachers who have participated in the satanic ritual of masking, involuntary penetration of the body with painful nasal swabs (i.e., rape), and defilement of the temple of God with poisons in 2020 to 2022. Shall we call all of them Satanists? Most of them are probably just clueless of the evil in the world.
Please provide some excerpts from Murray’s writings to support your claim. He wrote thousands of pages of content, so if he was a Freemason or was promoting their teachings, surely we should be able to find some evidence of it in his writings. As far as false teachings, almost everyone holds to some false teachings; otherwise there wouldn’t be over 40,000 denominations in the world. So, simply pointing to what you think are false teachings is not enough. To provide evidence, you need to show where his teachings closely coincide with the teachings of the Freemasons.
By the way, I am also averse to Pentecostalism and, frankly, find their worship services to be frightful because they seem to open themselves up to demonic influences. So, I do see how Murray’s concept of a “second blessing” could be abused and taken to extremes, leading to demonic possession. However, from what I have read of Murray’s works, and admittedly, I haven’t read much, but it seems to me that his teaching on the “second blessing” or “higher life” is simply a form of progressive sanctification. I never got the sense that this “second blessing” was a requirement of salvation or that it should cause a person to start rolling on the ground and howling at the moon. My impression is that the “second blessing” is simply progressive sanctification, leading to the fruit of the Spirit, namely, humility, love, and trust. Again, I do see how such a teaching can be abused, and it certainly has been abused. I am just not convinced that this was the fault of Murray. From what I have read in Murray’s books Humility and Abide in Christ, I have been blessed by his teachings. But I am openminded, so if you have the evidence, I would like to see it.
Hi Robert. Thank you for your comment. There is sufficient evidence that Murray was not only a mystic but also that some of his mentors were steeped in Freemasonry. Makes you think, doesn’t it? But, of course, you would need solid proof of this, which I too, as a researcher, must respectfully take note of. So, please be patient and I will supply you with more solid info on the matter, hopefully soon, but not too soon.
Hi, Tom
Thank you for your gracious and humble reply. If you can find any other information, I would certainly be interested in it.
I got a copy of one of his biographies by Vance Christie, which says the following in regard to Murray’s attraction to Christian mysticism:
“Murray’s appreciation for Christian mysticism led him to value not only the works of William Law, Dora Greenwell and Frances Bevan, but also the biographies of Madame Guyon, Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa of Avila. Other writers whose works Murray admired included Alexander Whyte, P.T. Forsyth, Bishop Handley Moule, John R. Mott, Charles Wagner, A.E. Garvie, W.M. Clow and the German professors Harnack and Eucken. During the latter years of his life Murray collected many works on prayer, being especially impressed with W. Arthur Cornaby’s Prayer and the Human Problem and E.M. Bounds’s classic Power through Prayer.”
Murray was particularly influenced by William Law and even republished some of his works. However, in the same biography, it also says that Murray tried to distance himself from what he thought were false teachings of Law:
“Murray, however, did not embrace all of Law’s teachings, as the latter’s mysticism had led him to depreciate the value of Scripture, minimize the worth of the Church as a visible divine institution, deny the imputation theory of the atonement, reject the doctrine of divine sovereignty in election and predestination, and manifest a definite pantheistic tendency. In Murray’s prefaces to his first two collections of Law’s writings, he dissociated himself from the mystic’s unorthodoxy. In introducing the 1895 collection, The Power of the Spirit, for instance, Murray states:
In publishing a new volume of Law’s works I owe a word of explanation to the Christian public, and all the more because some with whom I feel closely united have expressed their doubt of the wisdom of giving greater currency to the writings of an author who differs markedly in some points from what we hold to be fundamental doctrines of the evangelical faith. … It is because I believe his teaching to supply what many are looking for that I venture to recommend it. I do so in the confidence that no one will think that I have done so because I consider the truths he denies matters of minor importance, or have any sympathy with his views.”
I certainly want to guard myself against mysticism. And for this reason, I stopped reading the writings of people like A.W. Tozer. As for Murray, I was blessed by his book Humility and have found it quite devotional. I don’t think it delves into mysticism, but it is a rather short book. I am currently going through Abide in Christ, and although I have found a few points of disagreement, those points concern commonly debated theological issues, not mysticism. Of course, Murray has written thousands upon thousands of pages, so my superficial knowledge of him is not sufficient to draw any conclusions.
I would be very interested in learning about his direct involvement in Freemasonry, if there is sufficient evidence to show that such involvement exists. If it does exist, I would be quite disappointed, but would have to accept the truth regardless.
Since you seem quite confident in your own research, I will be extra cautious while going through Murray’s books, especially when it comes to my devotions.
Thank you for your time and efforts.
Hello, Tom
Sorry for two comments in one day, but I have gone a little further in his book Abide in Christ and have found some sentences that disturb me. This book Abide in Christ is particularly important because it was Murray’s debut book in English. His previous books were written in Dutch. In Chapter 7 “As Your Wisdom,” he definitely adopts a form of mysticism when he says the following:
“Study much to know the written Word; but study more to know the living Word, in whom you are of God.”
In that same chapter, he also used the word “providence” with a capital “P,” as if to indicate that “Providence” is “God.” It might just be a coincidence, but “providence” is an important word in Freemasonry. Here is what he said:
“All that you can wish to know is perfectly clear to Him. As Man, as Mediator, He has access to the counsels of Deity, to the secrets of Providence, in your interest, and on your behalf. If you will but trust Him fully, and abide in Him entirely, you can be confident of having unerring guidance.”
Again, in the same chapter, he speaks of only being led by the “heavenly light.”
“Yes, abide in Jesus as your wisdom. Seek to maintain the spirit of waiting and dependence, that always seeks to learn, and will not move but as the heavenly light leads on.”
Similarly, just a few sentences later he says something equally disturbing:
“Remember that the teaching and guidance come not from without: it is by His life in us that the divine wisdom does His work.”
Holy Scripture is supposed to be our guide. Remember what the Psalmist said: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Murray’s advice about not accepting guidance “from without” nullifies the importance of the Scripture.
I feel disappointed, but I have to accept the truth about Murray’s mysticism. I feel that his book Humility has many valuable teachings and I would still like to recommend it, but I will have to go through it again. If I do recommend it, it will be with a word of caution about his mystical influences. I don’t want to draw any hasty conclusions about him being a Freemason, and I am really hoping that he was not, but I will take caution with Murray moving forward.
Thank you for drawing my attention to Andrew Murray. I still can’t accept all of your conclusions, but if it weren’t for your website, I might have been unconsciously deceived by his mystical teachings. Thank you.
Hi Robert. I haven’t forgotten you. I am just battling to get other things done, things of a more mundane nature.
Sola Scriptura!
Just a note Ecclesiastes 12 forms part of the 3rd Degree (Master Mason) ritual.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (ESV)
Point: Nothing escapes almighty God, not even Freemasonry. They have been warned!
Also take note of Jesus response in Luke 9:49-50 “49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (ESV)
and take note what Paul said in Philippians 1:15-18 “15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” (ESV)
I have seen all the above in my lifetime but reminds myself of 1 John 2:27 “27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” (NASB)
So, to be taught by the Holy Spirit means to me Galatians 5:25 “25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
The call to action is stipulate in Hebrews 12:14 “14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” and it is a lifelong process, and thus progressive.
My father on his death bed reminded me that there is two kinds of knowledge. You read the book the Bible and know about God and then you read the Word of God and spend time with Him in prayer and meditation and you get to know God through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in you and you have fellowship with God. He gave me his Bible and it is priceless to read his notes.
Almost a reminder of Isaiah 28:13 “And the word of the Lord will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line,
here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”
Suggested Reading matter “Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges.
Dear Jan
A quick question, are you a Calvinst?
I thought there was something amiss in toto concerning the article regarding Andrew Murray then I discovered why at the conclusion of the article … a female mind. That answered my suspicions.
Dear John Bannon.
Being a cheuvanist is a sin.
Maybe you’ll listen to Tom Lessing (a man) who wrote 11 articles exposing Andrew Murray.
https://www.discerningtheworld.com/category/pastors-teachers-speakers/a/andrew-murray/