CULT 009 ROSICRUCIANS The claim is made by R. Swinburne Clymer in his book THE SECRET SCHO

CULT 009

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
"In general terms, we may enounce that the primary object
of 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 clergyment 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 associated with Plato, Muhammad and other great
historical characters (page 17). On the same page we read
that Jesus was Essene, and  He is also associated with
Brahma, Buddha, 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 Christ "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 Jesus is an old
gnostic belief which appeared in the first century of
church history.) They also claim that at the time of the
crucifixion the great sun spirit, Christ, was liberated
from the physical vehicle of Jesus.
TEACHINGS CONCERNING 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 undesirably 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 enlightenment and ultimate
immortality" (page 19).
The motto of the Rosiucrucians is TRY. To them, one is not
saved "by another'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 consciousness; 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 reincarnated 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 century 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 judgement" (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 spirit 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 now already is it in the
world" (I John 4:2,3). The Rosicrucian denies the plain
statement of Scripture that "the Word was made flesh and
dwelt among us" (John 1:14).
The deity of Jesus Christ is also denied by Rosicrucianism;
consequently, this group 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 must purge
ourselves and become our own savior.
Those who believe the Holy Bible should not find it
difficult to refute the teachings of Rosicrucianism, since
they are diametrically opposed to the Living Word of God.
              RICHARD WOLFF