The Long Silence: Mennonites and Freemasonry

[joeblow]

The Long Silence: Mennonites and Freemasonry

http://209.85.129.132/search?q=cache:OT ... clnk&gl=se

 Leichty gave a brief presentation of his own at the forum, under the title "The Long Silence: Mennonites and Freemasonry." He pointed out that his remarks were introductory and tentative in nature, and that more serious study was needed, but that while many people believe that Mennonites have uniformly been opposed to membership in secret societies, the presence of members of secret societies in Mennonite congregations appears to have been an issue in the church since at least the mid-1800's, and there has been little if any teaching on the subject since World War II.
         Many Mennonites were involved in the anti-secrecy movement of the National Christian Association at some point during the first few decades of the 20th century, noted Leichty.  These included John E. Hartzler, a past president of Goshen College who briefly served as president of the NCA, and Chicago home missions pioneer A. H. Leaman.  One Indiana chapter event was held in the Goshen College Assembly Hall, and the association's magazine was printed at Berne, Indiana.   Whether related to that movement or not, John Umble, a prominent professor at Goshen College and its earliest chronicler, renounced his Masonic lodge membership.
        Quoting from historian Abraham Friesen's writing, Leichty noted that one German historian, Ludwig Keller, who was in conversation with a German Mennonite Freemason named Wiens in the late 1800's, apparently even believed that freemasonry had roots that were linked to the "Alt-Evangelische" movement in Switzerland that gave birth to Swiss-German Anabaptism. Keller's theory ultimately apparently lost out to a counter-theory that declined to trace the origins of freemasonry beyond its more institutional birth in London.
         Leichty noted that certain Mennonite conferences long referred to themselves not by primarily by the name of Menno Simons but by the name "Alt-Evangelische." Keller, who eventually joined the ranks of freemasonry, was a mentor to influential Mennonite John Horsch, who was in turn the father-in-law of one of the most prominent Mennonite leaders of the 20th century, Harold S. Bender.
        Leichty presented five possible reasons why attention to the subject of secret societies remains important: the traditional official Mennonite reasons for opposition to secret societies, based on the worship of false gods and energies diverted from the church; the possibility that some masonic lodges serve as protective "cover" for abusive practices, including satanic ritual abuse of children; the contention by a growing number of persons that high-ranking freemasons and members of other secret groups use their fraternities to manipulate and advance political agenda and images for the purpose of social control; the possibility that secret societies seek to infiltrate, sponsor or use religion or religious movements for their own ends; and finally the prospect that the lodge is used and can be used as a sophisticated enabler for organized crime, favoritism and corruption of justice.
         Leichty read from various sources and from responses to a survey sent by Good Information Advocates to some 2,500 Mennonite ministers in June 2005, and spoke about conversations he had had with a number of Mennonites or persons raised Mennonite: these sources bear witness in varying degrees to each one of the five critiques, he noted.
         "I submit that we ignore the issue at our own spiritual peril," he said.
         Contacted after the event, Michael Hoffman commented,  "Bruce Leichty laid the groundwork for an inquiry into the influence of secret societies on the Anabaptist movement both ancient and modern. This is an issue that deserves greater scrutiny. For example, it has been alleged that the Lutheran Pastor Johann Valentin Andreae of Tubingen, was an elite Rosicrucian conspirator and the grandson of the distinguished Jacob Andreae, one of the leading pioneers of Protestantism, chancellor of the University of Tubingen,  and the man known in his lifetime as the `Wittenberg Luther.'
        "In the early days of the revolt against Rome, Protestant and perhaps even Anabaptist dissidents often united in common cause with disparate groups, not all of them wholesome or savory. Any secret influence on the reformers is of concern since it runs counter to a sincere Gospel witness and by virtue of its secrecy, is difficult to track in terms of its provenance and subversive influence. Leichty's efforts in this vein are commendable and represent an opening into a sensitive subject long neglected among a people traditionally much occupied with tracing and documenting their history and heritage."

[joeblow]

http://fortheauthor.blogspot.com/2009/0 ... om_23.html

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THESIS: APOSTASY
IN THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CONFERENCE
VIA MYSTICISM

Bonnie Klaassen, April 7, 2009
Revised April 21, 2009

1. There is an apostate form of Christianity sweeping the church that is uniting the greater part of professing Christians into a global spirituality (whose basis is mysticism - Mystery Babylon) and drawing many unsuspecting Christians into its wake. Those who do not understand and resist it will likely succumb to its deception. Time is of the essence in getting the word out.

2. It is flourishing in an atmosphere where most Christian young people are biblically and doctrinally illiterate, Christian institutes of higher learning are becoming increasingly liberal while maintaining a conservative statement of faith, and in a culture that exalts experience over faith in an era of tolerance. This is the perfect environment for mass spiritual deception to enter the church. Although it purports to be otherwise, it is man-centered rather than God-centered. It is a counterfeit spirituality, the spirit of anti-christ.

3. It appeals to scholars by playing upon their desire to appear respectable and contemporary to the more liberal Christian institutions of higher learning and to the world. In this way it seduces older, trusted sources. Its teachings are introduced by those who appear to be Christian, but if their theology is carefully examined, would deviate from the major biblical doctrines. It is endorsed by these institutions and there is a trickle-down effect into all sectors of the church with time.

4. It is part of a greater movement that has a tolerant spiritual mindset, is liberal in its theology, and is the result of a lack of a militant defence of the authority of Scripture and a simple walk of faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. This larger movement also includes both the secular and Christian environmental and social justice movements (MCC is one of the groups involved). They are intertwined and cooperative with secular groups in the agenda to create a one-world spirituality and a global government. Many in these movements, especially Christians, are unaware or in denial of the agenda underlying these movements in the secular world. A mystical spirituality undergirds and rounds out these secular movements; they go hand in hand. (2 Cor. 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
1 Cor. 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.")

5. It is entering in through the avenues of Christian seminaries and Bible Schools, Christian publishing houses, ministries, conferences, and teaching materials, especially for our youth.

6. Some of the movements involved are the emergent church, the purpose-driven model, charismatic, ancient-future, post-modernist liberal churches, and the mystical faction of the Roman Catholic church. The infiltration into the Christian church was planned by the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue in the 1970s which was formed for this express purpose. Although it is Satan who is behind the deception, the Roman Catholic church is a major player in this movement. Their method is to introduce the practices (of which mysticism is only one area) of Roman Catholicism into the Christian church. The Christian church then becomes "romanized" without changing the formal doctrine, until such a time when it willingly and outwardly submits. In this way the Christian church harbours "closet Catholics" who influence the church from the inside out. Where in times past the Roman Catholic church used threats and coercion, it now uses deceit and seduction to draw men away from the faith once delivered to the saints. Since the Roman Catholic church has historically syncretised the Christian faith with paganism, and is actively continuing to do so to this day, this will serve to unite those who are drawn into its net to do the same. Essentially, the Harlot is attempting to persuade the Bride to join her in her spiritual harlotry.

7. It is entering in the form of contemplative prayer, "Christian yoga", breath prayers, the "Jesus Prayer", imaginative prayer, Ignatian spiritual exercises (based on the teachings of Ignatius of Loyola), centering prayer, quietism, lectio divinia, taize, labyrinths, Christianized tantric sex, drumming circles and other mystical and spiritual practices which have no legitimate basis in Scripture. In its least threatening form it is commonly referred to as "Spiritual Formation", the "spiritual disciplines" (both of which would include some biblical practices alongside), or contemplative spirituality. By using cunning words and altering the meanings of familiar terms, those who are attracted to an experience-based spirituality are drawn into its snare. The true Christian faith is faith-based, and that faith is to be lived out or experienced on the basis of this faith, not the other way around. ("Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:38). Those in the contemplative movement allow their experiences to shape their theology, and this it most certainly does. This movement towards mysticism is more than just a trend. It is very broad in its scope, and has spiritually devastating consequences which I believe will contribute to the apostasy of the church, the "falling away" foretold in scripture. I believe this apostasy will include a return to many of the practices of the Roman Catholic church, contemplative and otherwise (the introduction of "Lent", for example). It is a move towards corrupting what is simple (the gospel according to Scripture alone) and materializing the spiritual (appealing to the flesh).

8. It is cloaked in familiar Christian terminology at its outset to lead its potential Christian practitioners into its spirituality, accompanied by Scripture taken out of context or given a broader interpretation than is allowable in proper exegesis. Those who follow this path to its logical conclusion will probably come to accept that all religions worship the same god by different names and in different forms. They believe that "all is one" and that in that unity is god. The outcome is a spiritual unity in diversity, whereby people can continue in the religion of their choice while they are united in the spiritual practice of mysticism. In this situation, no one tries to convert another to their religion. Beyond mere tolerance, there is complete acceptance of all religions as equal and valid. "Christian mysticism" has Buddhism, Hinduism, Gnosticism and other false religions and their practices as its counterpart. True practitioners of "Christian mysticism" have no problem learning from their practices and soon accept their spirituality as valid.

9. Those who promote its practices are enemies of the cross, in that they promise intimacy with God apart from the blood of Christ, or as an addition to it, thereby nullifying its efficacy. In reality, it is pagan and its practitioners will eventually encounter an "angel of light" and be introduced to doctrines of demons. They are encountering a god of their own imagination, not the God of the Bible. It is a practice which changes what people believe about who God is and how He interacts with mankind. Many of the proponents of contemplative mysticism who claim to be Christian now openly deny the atoning aspect of Christ's work on the cross and have "alternative" understandings of what Christ's death means. Brian McLaren, speaker and author, whom the MB Conference is promoting, is one of these people. Another who has recently come to light is the author of the best-selling book, The Shack which has been promoted in the MB Herald. Many in the emergent church, a primary avenue for mysticism in evangelical circles, are either undermining the purpose of the cross or altering its meaning. It also works the other way around, in that those who accept alternative meanings eventually turn to mysticism in an attempt to draw near to God, as the cross no longer holds the power for them that it used to.

10. The Mennonite Brethren Conference and MBBS are promoting authors and speakers who are engaged in this mystical spirituality. Classes in "Spiritual Formation" are required courses for all students at nearly all Mennonite Bible Schools and seminaries. Kindred Press, the publishing arm of the MB Conference, promotes authors who are engaged in its practices, and the MB Conference promotes speakers who do the same. The Mennonites are listed among denominations which are rapidly and willingly becoming infiltrated by this movement by discernment ministries who have been following it for years. I believe many who are promoting it are misguided shepherds themselves. Most of them have failed to see the history, falsely so-called "Christian", of this movement, and the role it will play in the final deception of the world as they believe the lie that "ye shall be as gods" and seek a spiritual unity as the world once did at the tower of Babel in rebellion to the only true God. In reading this thesis, please understand one thing clearly: it is not those who point out these errors that cause division in the body of Christ, but those who teach false doctrine and pagan practices or are in collusion with those who do. Furthermore, I believe it is already too late to change the direction of the MB Conference in this matter. Its tentacles have already reached into most churches in one way or another, of which we see evidence in nearly every MB Herald that comes through our door. It is for this reason that we withdrew our membership. As a matter of conscience, we could no longer support an organization clearly headed in a spiritual direction we were not.

11. This is the crux of the matter: either I am on a spiritual tangent leading down a rabbit trail on this issue, or the MB Conference is heading into spiritual apostasy as it continues down this pathway. I am calling all local church bodies, and my own body of believers in particular, to examine the issue carefully and prayerfully, as I believe the implications are too great to ignore.

12. Two quotes follow by Brian McLaren and Leonard Sweet which reveal the mindset of "Christian" authors who are promoting mystical spirituality (Leonard Sweet and Brian McLaren teamed up in 2003 to write A is for Abductive: The Language of the Emerging Church. Rick Warren has also promoted Leonard Sweet, as recently as 2008):

A quote from Lighthouse Trails, in a book review of Brian McLaren'sFinding our Way Again: The Return of Ancient Practices published in 2008 (Brian McLaren is a prolific author and a popular speaker in Christian institutions and conferences):


    "In the last chapter of McLaren's book, "Theosis (via Unitiva)," he sums up his calling by stating that "The purpose of the via purgativa [the practices] is to prepare us for the via illuminativa [the awakening], and the purpose of the via illuminativa is to prepare us for the via unitiva [all is one], the union of our nature with the nature of God" (pp. 171-172). He calls God "fire" and says, "We join God in being fire ... Before the beginning ... God was All, and All was God" (p. 175). This is the exact same message that Eckhart Tolle and Oprah are propagating. But while many Christians are now condemning Tolle's message, they don't realize that the very same message is permeating their very own churches. For those readers who care about the spiritual future of their children and grandchildren, it is vital they understand the meaning of McLaren's spirituality in particular and the emerging/contemplative movement in general. We believe this is an extremely compelling motivation and should prompt us as believers to defend the faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ."1.



Several years ago Leonard Sweet wrote a book called Quantum Spirituality in which he quotes Karl Rahner, a Jesuit priest. Sweet is a rather prolific author and his books can be found in most Christian bookstores. This is what Sweet says in Quantum Spirituality on page 68:

    "Mysticism, once cast to the sidelines of the Christian tradition, is now situated in postmodernist culture near the center.... In the words of one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century, Jesuit philosopher of religion/dogmatist Karl Rahner, "The Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic, one who has experienced something, or he will be nothing." [Mysticism] is metaphysics arrived at through mindbody experiences. Mysticism begins in experience; it ends in theology."2.



IN CONCLUSION:
In the last decade there has been a dramatic rise in the practice of mysticism both inside and outside of the church. If you have not encountered it yet, you or your children or grandchildren will in time. They will encounter it at school, in medical or counselling clinics, at their place of business, in a leadership workshop, at the shopping mall, in a sports setting, or in their church or youth group or in a book. It is a practice which will fit within any system and goes by many names depending on the setting.

It has already made vast inroads into the MB Conference through the Seminary, Bible schools, books offered, speakers promoted and conferences for pastors and youth workers. I have been noting its promotion in MB circles for a number of years already, almost without any opposition from any person in a position of leadership. It is gradually making its way into the smaller, more isolated churches, especially as our children and grandchildren make their way out into the world and as people have greater access to information. Only those who understand the terminology, the names of false teachers and the adaptive nature of this movement, and are firmly grounded in their faith and in biblical doctrines, and are committed to abiding in the simple practice of their faith according to the teachings of Scripture alone will be spared the coming delusion that is to come upon the world in the last days.

It is time to get your spiritual house in order, for Christ will soon call His own away from this world before He will judge the earth with holy wrath upon all those who do not belong to Him in the final years of this era. The delusion is coming. Walk as children of light.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them."
Ephesians 5:11


Footnotes:
1. http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com ... more=1&c=1 (Book Review: Brian McLaren's New Book Finding our Way Again. Source: the Editors at Lighthouse Trails)
2. http://www.leonardsweet.com/Quantum/quantum-ebook.pdf (the online link is now broken. Sweet's website appears to be under construction at present)

[joeblow]

From: "Bonnie Klaassen" <fortheauthor@gmail.com>

To: mailto:joeblow@umunu.com">joeblow@umunu.com

I  became aware some time ago that you have posted my thesis in "The Information Underground"  following an article entitled "The Long Silence: Mennonites and Freemasonry". I made the express request at the top of my blog article that permission be requested to link to it or post, copy or print any part of it since I did not want it used for the wrong reasons.  I am curious as to why you did not do me the courtesy of doing so. I understand that you may not be under any legal obligation to do so under the freedom of information act, and yet I am curious as to why you would have it follow the article you did (regarding Freemasonry). Do you believe there is a link between my article and the previous one? If so, would you be willing to share what that would be with me? I understand that Freemasonry practices a mystical spirituality, but wonder why you would choose my article, in particular, to follow it. Are there no other articles available which would expose a Freemasonry-type mysticism in the Mennonite community? (I also read the article you included from the "Good Information Advocates" website.)

I have read a few posts from "The Information Underground" and do understand (apart from this website) that there is a "synagogue of Satan", a group of people who claim to be Jews, who may even actually be Jews (although it is more likely that they are imposters), who will have no part in the kingdom of God, a mystical faction who practice Babylonian mysticism through the cabala.

Because you have posted my article, I would appreciate also if you would help me to understand the purpose of "The Information Underground". It is my personal belief that the nation of Israel was chosen by God apart from all the other nations of the world, and is the nation from which the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, came. I believe that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them, and that Israel will repent and turn from their wicked ways when they see Him who they have pierced return in the flesh to the earth. If your website exists for the purpose of cursing Israel I would be very disturbed if people found my article on your website.

Would you please clarify for me the purpose of the website and the reason you chose to post my article, as well as the reason you did not ask my permission to use it?

Sincerely, Bonnie Klaassen

[celticwarrior]

Bonnie, I fully agree with you about the dark, apostate conspiracy that has taken over most, if not all, organised Christian churches and which has lead their congregations away from the true path of righteousness embodied in the life and works of Jesus Christ;  we must fight this corrupting influence by all means at our disposal lest our future generations be forever lost in a tyrannical, zio-nazi world;

you said:
'the nation of Israel was chosen by God apart from all the other nations of the world, and is the nation from which the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, came. I believe that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them, and that Israel will repent and turn from their wicked ways when they see Him who they have pierced return in the flesh to the earth'

but you must understand that your esteem for the present, artificially, corruptly and cruelly established nation of Israel is entirely misplaced; you are confusing Jesus's origins and roots with the present, predominantly Khazars, Ashkenazi 'jews who call themselves jews but are not and are of the Synagogue of Satan' [as you have acknowledged] who have no blood ties whatsoever to the semites of Jesus's people and place: so, 'anti-semitism' should really mean anti-Palestinian!

firstly, Jesus was not Jewish as we know the term, a citizen of a nation state called Israel with defined national borders and all the establishments of society as we know it;
any casual web search can reveal the truth that he was a Judean;  just see Benjamin H Freedman's authorititative historical study for confirmation:
 http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/jesusjew.htm

this was the first result from this random search:
http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?rd=r1 ... =yfp-t-710

Judaism as it is taught in the 'holiest' Jewish book, 'The Talmud', is the most hateful of faiths and is diametrically opposed to Christianity;

So, please do not persist in your pro-zionist views as they are the same mistaken 'Judeo-Christian' beliefs, about 'rapture' and so on, fostered and promoted by the current anti-Christian crime gang that has usurped and twisted Christian teaching by having their agent Schofield alter the Holy Bible and by infiltrating their operatives and unwitting sympathisers at all levels of organised Christendom, including the Holy See; I beg you to study the relevant posts here on this and other sites such as

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4669499 ... _02_09_MP3

http://www.iamthewitness.com/

http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/

http://www.christusrex.org/www3/talmud- ... talmud.htm