A biblical response to RAP spokesman Rev Ron Johnstone
Conclusion

Conclusion

The error exposed by Behind Closed Doors is shown to be valid by the repeated dodging of key ritual procedures (as highlighted in parts 3 & 4 of our response) and careful papering over the RAP cracks (as highlighted in parts 1 & 2 of our response). The author of Behind Closed Minds chooses to avoid many of the core issues that Behind Closed Doors and most anti-ritualistic evangelicals advance in opposition to the "Royal" Arch Purple Order. That includes the great majority of this degrading degree. Issue after issue, and argument after argument, are left totally unanswered and understandably ignored. Rather, Behind Closed Minds is taken up with addressing obscure or irrelevant matters - albeit in a liberal and unconvincing manner. Those of us that have travelled this degree know why he is uncomfortable with talking on the issues, he has taking a vow under thrat of death that he will not discuss the secrets, teaching and practices of this Order.

Behind Closed Minds is notable for its strong unapologetic pro-Masonic and pro-ritualistic position. The whole pro-Masonic line advanced by Rev Ron Johnstone is most concerning from a Christian point of view. But it only serves to reinforce a central argument in Behind Closed Doors: that the Royal Arch Purple is the offspring of pagan Masonry. There is clearly a kinship between both Orders. This attitude also confirms the impression that organisations like the "Royal" Arch Purple Order not only carry the same traits and mannerisms as the mother (structures, teaching, practices and symbols) but also the same attitude and personality. Statement after statement of Mr Johnstone is made attacking those who would attack Masonry and defending pagan-Masonry from its most reasonable evangelical opponents.

The liberal attitude of Mr Johnstone towards Masonry is not representative of the general position of evangelical Protestantism. The Order he defends and the procedures he tries to justify run completely contrary to the very character of evangelical Protestantism and, most importantly, against the expressed teaching of Scripture. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 says, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

In their book 'The Orange Order: An Evangelical Perspective' Grand Chaplain of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland (which owns the Royal Arch Purple as its third degree) Rev. Ian Meredith and Irish Arch Purple man Rev. Brian Kennaway comment, "Orangeism could be described as a Christianised or 'Reformed Freemasonry' with the unscriptural and erroneous bits cut out and the movement brought into line with evangelical doctrine" (pp. 12, 25).

However, the "Royal" Arch Purple Order can no more be Christianised or Reformed than paganism. In reality, rather than 'Protestantising' Freemasonry the Royal Arch Purple are 'paganising' the Reformed Faith. This subtlety of mingling truth with error is nothing new and is designed by the devil to dilute the infallible authority of God's Word.

God says in His Word, "one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it" (Ezekiel 13:10-15).

The obvious conclusion one arrives at after studying this evasive document is that the author like the vast majority of men within the "Royal" Arch Purple Order, is fully aware of the Masonic character of the institution and its deeply anti-scriptural nature. Therefore, we would call on all God fearing and born-again Christians to separate from this extra-biblical structure and instead put their time and efford into the work of God in this day.

The Bible declares, in 2 Timothy 2:19, "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Behind Closed Minds is an examination of 'Behind Closed Doors' by Royal Arch Purple Spokesman, and Free Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Ron Johnstone, Armagh, on behalf of the Chaplains Committee of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Purple Chapter of Ireland.

Evangelical Truth response

Part 1 - An analysis of the arguments

Part 2 - An analysis of the arguments (continued)

Part 3 - An analysis of the arguments (continued)

Part 4 - The arguments conveniently ignored

Part 5 - The arguments conveniently ignored (continued)