Saturday, October 13, 2007
Seven Hundred Years Ago Today
Seven hundred years ago today, a king and a pope conspired to rob, kill and destroy the monastic order of the Knights Templar. They succeeded, for the most part. Fortunately, a number escaped with their lives and, likely, their treasure. The latter was especially frustrating for the king.
Were the Templars perfect? Were they always on the side of the right? Were they likely to have been foes to my Baptist ancestors? Would they have been my adversary? Certainly, they would not have considered a Baptist boy like me as friendly to their regal troupe.
Yet, it's amazing how persecution and suppression can make such strange bedfellows. Now, centuries later, many Baptists proudly belong to this holy fraternity. Evolution and revolution have made changes in society, religion and culture that have transformed old enemies into new friends.
Isn’t that the foundation of Masonry? Brethren of vastly differing circumstances and religions finding a common ground through their faith in God, a hope for the Resurrection and confidence that men can be better than they are. It’s a legacy that, should the Lord delay His return another seven hundred years, I hope and pray survives and thrives and perseveres in binding men together by the cement of brotherly love.
Holiness to the Lord!
Were the Templars perfect? Were they always on the side of the right? Were they likely to have been foes to my Baptist ancestors? Would they have been my adversary? Certainly, they would not have considered a Baptist boy like me as friendly to their regal troupe.
Yet, it's amazing how persecution and suppression can make such strange bedfellows. Now, centuries later, many Baptists proudly belong to this holy fraternity. Evolution and revolution have made changes in society, religion and culture that have transformed old enemies into new friends.
Isn’t that the foundation of Masonry? Brethren of vastly differing circumstances and religions finding a common ground through their faith in God, a hope for the Resurrection and confidence that men can be better than they are. It’s a legacy that, should the Lord delay His return another seven hundred years, I hope and pray survives and thrives and perseveres in binding men together by the cement of brotherly love.
Holiness to the Lord!
Labels: Baptist, Freemasonry, History, king, Knights Templar, legacy, Pope
