I just finished Hall's "Lost Keys of Freemasonry", and as I stated above, "wow!"
For me personally, and I realize this will probably rub my brother Christians the wrong way, I find Hall's philosophy more reasonable than the Christian doctrine, at least the version I was a part of for twelve years. I'm not intending to offend anyone, as I am speaking about my own journey toward more light.
The part of his philosophy that grabs me the most is the idea that our lives alone and one lived with great care toward developing strong moral virtues and actions are what we present as the "lost word" that gains us admission into the lodge eternal. I find the idea that an unworthy man who makes a declaration of faith on his deathbed instantly gains admission unsettling. Of course, I realize there are different interpretations and positions within the various schools of Christianity on faith vs. works, and I'm ready for a brother here to correct me on my "lack of understanding of the true redemptive work of Christ," but again, this is where my path has thus far brought me. I am still working out my own "salvation with fear and trembling".
And not that I am saying that Hall's philosophy alone is the only masonic interpretation to be had, or that based on Hall's ideas that freemasonry and Christianity are at odds. I'm just simply stating that for me, on my own personal journey, having been a committed Christian who truly sought to know God, reading this book has inspired me to continue to learn to subdue my passions and improve myself, and to appreciate masonic teachings and continue eastward.
