The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his073/cult05.arj/CULT05.TXT

Text File | 1988-04-11 | 11KB | 192 lines

                           THE ROSICRUCIANS

.    The claim is made by R. Swinburne Clymer in his book THE SECRET
SCHOOLS that "the founders of the Rosicrucian system, were originally
identical with the Chaldeans" (Page 16).  On the other hand, a
different organization with headquarters in San Jose, California,
states that the Rosicrucian order "traces its origin to the mystery
schools or secret schools of learning established during the reign of
Thutmose III, about 1500 B.C. in Egypt."  According to this second
group, Amenhotep IV was their first traditional Grand Master (WHO AND
WHAT ARE THE ROSICRUCIANS? Page 8).
.    As a matter of fact, the earliest mention of the Rosicrucians
occurred in the 17th century.  In 1614 a book entitled FAMA
FRATERNITATIS was printed.  It related the journeys of the reputed
founder of this sect, whose name was Christian Rosenkreuz.  This man
was supposedly born in 1378 and died in 1484.  He was said to have
been educated in a monastery and to have traveled to the Holy Land,
Egypt and Spain, finally arriving in Austria in 1413.  Five years
later he was supposed to have chosen three companions and to have
begun the Order of the Rosicrucians.  Four other brethren were
declared to have been added later on.  The story states that when
Rosenkreuz died in 1484 he was embalmed.  His grave was supposedly
opened in 1604, 120 years after his death, and some occult books were
said to have been discovered in the grave.
.    It is very doubtful; However, that such a person ever existed.
The book FAMA FRATERNITATIS was composed by Johann Valentin Andrea
(1586-1654), who intended the book as satire.  The Encyclopedia
Britannica (1971 edition) states: Some regard the story as a statement
of fact and hold Christian Rosenkreuz to have been the founder of the
order.  More generally it is held to be a mythical explanation of the
order, and Christian Rosenkreuz is not a real person at all, but a
symbolic character.
.    This authoritative publication also reports that "the earliest
extant writing which unequivocally mentions a Rosicrucian order
appeared in the early 17th century.  But even here the actual
existence of such an order cannot be affirmed absolutely.  Indeed, not
a few scholars believe that the order had its rise from the
publication of this document and that it was written with this
definite purpose in mind."  The evidence points to the conclusion that
there never was a Christian Rosenkreuz and that the book composed by
Andrea was a mystification intended as satire but accepted by some as
genuine history.  One may well conclude that the book fostered the
Rosicrucian organizations, despite their claims to ancient origins.
.    The exact time when this order was introduced in the United
States is not known.  At present there are different Rosicrucian
factions in the United States fighting each other bitterly and, as has
been shown, disagreeing on the original source of their movement.  The
Rosicrucian order known as AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae
Crucis), led by H. Spencer Lewis, established headquarters in San
Jose, California.  A group founded by Max Heindel operates from
Oceanside, California.  Another organization is based in Quakertown,
Pennsylvania, and was headed by R. Swinburne Clymer.  Each of these
leaders are prolific writers.

                        GOAL OF ROSICRUCIANISM

.    Rosicrucianism is to elucidate the mysteries that encompass us in
life, and reverently to raise the veil from those who await us in the
dreaded dominions of death" (THE SECRET SCHOOLS, page 8).
Rosicrucianism "expounds a system of metaphysical and physical
philosophy intended to awaken the dormant, latent faculties of the
individual whereby he may utilize to a better advantage his talents
and lead a happier and more useful life" (WHO AND WHAT ARE THE
ROSICRUCIANS? page 4).
.    Actually, Rosicrucianism is a combination of alchemy, ancient
mysticism, Gnosticism and a variety of occult beliefs.  All of their
groups claim to be in possession of certain secret wisdom which has
been transmitted from generation to generation by particular masters.

                 TEACHINGS CONCERNING THE HOLY BIBLE

.    Rosicrucians declare that they are not a religious sect; in fact,
they say that their membership includes clergymen of various
denominations.  However, and examination of official Rosicrucian
publications discloses specific teachings concerning God, Christ, the
Bible, prayer, sin and salvation.  "All secret and sacred writings
have truth in them, irrespective of their source, and must be judged
by their inculcations rather than the source" (THE SECRET SCHOOLS,
page 19).  They use the Bible along with "other occult books" and
interpret it in their own fashion.  Genesis 1:1 is re-translated to
read: "Out of the ever-existing essence (of space) the two-fold energy
formed the double heaven."  We are told that the "commonly received
rendering" (King James Version) as well as the "usual rendering" of
Genesis 1:1 are necessary to an understanding of the subject!  The
peculiar interpretation given by Heindel indicates that the heaven and
the earth were created out of the ever-existing essence, not out of
nothing: "The cosmic root-substance is gathered together and set in
motion."
.    The same writer also asserts that the Genesis description of the
fifth day of creation actually speaks of an Atlantis-like Lemurian
epoch, in which the differentiation of the sexes took place.  Before
that man had been Hermaphrodite (both male and female), and previous
to that he had been without sex (THE ROSICRUCIAN COSMO-CONCEPTION,
pages 321-333). Similar explanations of other Scripture text could be
cited.

                  TEACHINGS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST

.    Jesus Christ is regarded as merely "one of the earth's greatest
thinkers" (THE CONFEDERATION OF INITIATES, page 16).  He is assockated
with Plato, Muhammad and other great historical characters (page 17).
On the same page we read that Jesus was Essene, anf  He is also
associated with Brahma, Buddah, Lao-Tse, Zoroaster and others.  "The
Son (Christ) is the highest initiate of the"sun period.  The ordinary
humanity of that period are now archangels" (THE ROSICRUCIAN COSMO-
CONCEPTION, PAGE 376).  Jesus Cjrist "took the dense and vital bodies
of Jesus that he might function directly in the physical world and
appear as a man among men" (page 383).
.    To Rosicrucians, Christ acted in the body of Jesus.  (This
differentiation between the Christ and Jesuq is an old gnostic belief
which appeared in the first century of church history.)  They also
claim that at the time of the crwcifixion the great sun spirit,
Christ, was liberated from the physical vehicle of Jesus.

                    TEACHINGS CONCGRNING SALVATION

.    Rosicrucians do not believe that the blood of Christ cleanses us
from sin but that we are saved by our own efforts.  Over and over
again in their writings we read that we must win freedom by purging
ourselves from everything that may react undisirably or destructively
on ourselves.
.    The substitutionary atonement of Christ is denied and treated as
an invention of the Council of Nicaea (THE SECRET SCHOOLS,  page 18).
"Man, through his own efforts, must attain spiritual enliehtenment and
ultimate immortality" (page 19).
.    The motto of the Rosicrucians is TRY.  To them, one is not saved
"by anotjer's intervention or substitution but by overcoming all evil
within himself through the feelings of love, mercy, kindness,
graciousness, adoration, reverence and helpfulness" (THE LIVING
CHRIST, page 13).  In this book we are also told that every man
possesses an incorruptible seed, a divine spark, a "Christos."  This
"Christos" must be awakened and brought into consciousness9 it is the
Christ, the immortal part of man (page 40).

             TEACHINGS ON SIN, PRAYER, and REINCARNATION

.    The"Rosicrucian definition of sin is rather unusual.  Sin is
defined as "whatever is harmful either to body or mind," and it is to
be avoided (THE SECRET SCHOOLS, page 21).  The same book teaches that
celestial spirits may be invoked.  It claims that these spirits are
hierarchies of the invisible brotherhood of the fraternity (page 10).
The doctrine of reincarnation is taught by all Rosicrucians.  They
insist that, because of man's foolishness and the necessity to gain
experience, it is necessary to be peincarnated several times before we
are able to come into our own heritage (THE PRIESTHOOD OF AETH, page
8).  It is also stated that it is possible to develop to the point
where the soul will emit a peculiar light, discernible across the
gulfs of space by intellectual powers (page 10).
.    Rosicrucians also tell us that the "New Order" began in the
latter part of the past cgntury and will continue for approximately
2000 years.  This new age is to be known as the "Manistic Age" (THE
LIVING CHRIST, page 56).  The doctrine of reincarnation is advocated
in many false cults.  The soul is supposed to enter into a different
body after death and to have as many successive incarnations as are
necessary to purge it from sin.  Needless to state, no appeal to the
Holy Bible is made.  Indeed, the Bible teaches that forgiveness is
obtained through the blood of Jesus Christ, not through self-
purification by means of repeated incarnations.  "It is appointed unto
men once to die, but after this the judgment""(Hebrews 9:27).  The
doctrine of the transmigration of souls is opposed to the Bible and to
reason.  "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6).  It is
necessary to be born of the Holy Spirit in order to be saved.

                       THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST

.    The Rosicrucian does not accept the Bible as the final authority
for faith and practice.  Thus, he considers himself free to teach
whatever the imagination of his heart may dictate.  It is not
surprising that heretical concepts are held regarding the person of
Jesus Christ.
.    The Holy Bible states: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every
spkrit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of
God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in
the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even low already is it
in the world" (I John 4:2,3).  The Rosicrucian denies the plain
statement of Scripture that "the Word was mafe flesh and dwelt among
us" (John 1:14).  The deity of Jesus Christ is also denied by
Rosicrucianism; consequently, this grour teaches that salvation is not
bestowed by Jesus Christ.  This flatly contradicts the Word of God:
"By grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, lest
any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).  Rosicrucianism further
teaches that we oust purge ourselves and become our own savior.
.    Those who believe the Holy Bible should not find it difficult to
refute tje teachings of Rosicrucianism, since they are diametrically
opposed to the Living Word of God.

RICHARD WOLFF

Computers for Christ - San Jose