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From Mason to Minister - Through the Lattice
An adventurous, captivating and poetic memoir of the author's courageous and spiritual journey from Scotland to Canada to Australia in his quest to "find the Truth and know the living God." Neither an apologetic nor a polemic, he corrects much misinterpretation and misunderstanding of Freemasonry. We learn how inspiration from Masonic teachings about Solomon's Temple, the arch, and keystone led him to a deep study of the revelation from the Bible of the "stone the builders rejected" which is Christ. Readers will be uplifted, inspired, and delighted as they follow along with him in the discovery of his calling to become a minister.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2011
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About the author
Neil Cullan McKinlay
44 books14 followersNeil Cullan McKinlay is Canadian born, but was raised in Scotland. He migrated back to Canada from Scotland in 1977, moved to Australia's sunny shores in 1990.
He has worked as such varied things as a plumber, a railway pipefitter, a Presbyterian minister, and an Army Chaplain.
He is an ardent student of Scripture which is reflected in his books. He loves reading and writing both fiction and non-fiction, and listening to music.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2014
I began reading this book hoping for some interesting information with which to give my husband regarding Masonry and how it’s inconsistent with Christianity and while the author does give some information it’s mainly of the author’s journey as he travels the road of evolutionary belief, seeking out something higher and finding some of his answers in Masonry and ultimately becoming a minster no longer involved in the Masonic teachings. The book really didn’t pull me in the way other memoirs do, usually I find them to hold my rapt attention, but this one I actually struggled to read – I didn’t find it poetic as the description implies – it made for very choppy reading and the author switches between his childhood to his adult life which at times is confusing since he moves multiple times between Scotland and Canada and now Australia.
I think this may hold the attention of someone who is involved in the Masonic community and is looking for more of a Christian worldview (Mason’s can ultimately accept Christians, Muslims and Jews with their belief in a Supreme Being and other religions with much lying can also do so) but for me, it just didn’t poll me in like I was hoping. Too much back and forth caused for a confusing read and the way hymns, the author’s own poetry and lyrics, and more were added just made it not flow. I appreciated the use of Scripture so that was another plus even though at times it felt like Mr. McKinlay was quoting entire portions of the Bible. Overall, it was a decent book that I know holds appeal for others but for me it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
**I was given a copy of this book from Nordskog Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.
I think this may hold the attention of someone who is involved in the Masonic community and is looking for more of a Christian worldview (Mason’s can ultimately accept Christians, Muslims and Jews with their belief in a Supreme Being and other religions with much lying can also do so) but for me, it just didn’t poll me in like I was hoping. Too much back and forth caused for a confusing read and the way hymns, the author’s own poetry and lyrics, and more were added just made it not flow. I appreciated the use of Scripture so that was another plus even though at times it felt like Mr. McKinlay was quoting entire portions of the Bible. Overall, it was a decent book that I know holds appeal for others but for me it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
**I was given a copy of this book from Nordskog Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.
June 10, 2011
From Mason To Minister: Through The Lattice is a poetic memoir of author, Neil Cullan McKinlay's quest to find the truth while knowing God.
Neil Cullan McKinlay was born in Canada, raised in Scotland and now lives in Australia. As a child, his family never mentioned anything about Jesus Christ, his childhood home was such that they didn't worship or live by the laws of God. He was disappointed to learn that his father was not a Freemason and Neil wondered and worked towards becoming one himself.
After moving back to Canada in his young adulthood, Neil finds his way to the Mason meetings and the tenets that are required to climb through the degrees of masonry! With great detail given to the performance one is required to climb the ranks, such as, writing essays, performing plays and taking oaths of secrecy etc. Neil was sure he was at the top of his game, belonging to a prestigious club for men, he could reach his dreams and goals, however, he was left disheartened.
With all the pageantry and analogies that make up Freemasonry, Neil feels like there is something missing from his life. The Masons explained religion in a textbook style with much hypocrisy, very few of the men who took the vows, actually lived by them. It was all pomp and circumstance and Neil's time with the Masons was short-lived when he came to truly know Jesus Christ and the Living God.
Turning back on the dogma of the Masons, Neil becomes an ordained minister and preaches to the people the real truth. The decision to reveal all he knows about the Masons, came with much consternation and thought, and putting his faith in God, he choose to share all the secrets that the Free Masons hold so dear.
I find the subject material fascinating, however, the prose itself is dry, with a lot of rehashing of thoughts from the author. I enjoyed watching the migration of Neil's religious patterns, his questions are solid and the answers he finds hold true to his self. I loved how he listened to the messages from God that he was receiving that his life could be better fulfilled, preaching, instead of being a lackey to a mega organization whose secrets run deeper than time itself.
I really enjoyed all the historical references shared, as well as, the courage it took to write this book. After reading Neil's account of Free Mason initiations to the next degree or level, I have to wonder how grown men could behave in such a childish manner, then I shuddered thinking these same men hold many powerful positions in our society.
Frankly, many of the situations the Free Masons practice are dangerously close to homosexual acts, in my honest opinion. Men getting together to dress up and act out plays is a very strange custom to have read about and lets not forget, it appears very "cultish" . I have never read some of the rites that Neil has shared with the reader and was most appalled to learn what I did. REALLY?? Men behave in such a manner, well, its no wonder our world is in such a desolate situation. I commend Neil Cullan McKinlay for stepping away from such barbaric and childish behaviour and walking the true path to enlightment!
The book clearly emphasizes the differences between the God of the Freemasons and the True Living God. It explains the lip service of Freemasons with great depth and detail and supports the truth with passages from the bible and other historical references. If your looking to break from the lies and walk into the truth, this is a great read, or if your looking for help to turn someone off the wrong path (Freemasonry) and onto the goodly path of God, then this book will give you some ideas to help keep you focused and proof to back your claims.
In all honesty, my dude was recently invited to become a Freemason, my moral tenets screamed..."NOOOO!!"...He was intrigued with how everyone is successful, while he struggles to put food on our table, the "golden" charm snaked around him and we fought. He believed me to be jealous because I was a woman and excluded, already the evil of the "cult" was changing who he was. I have since put this book in his hands and told him to read it. I don't think he is as willing to walk that path as he once was, thank you Neil for your gift, without this book our lives may have taken a path I would not have wished to travel!
Neil Cullan McKinlay was born in Canada, raised in Scotland and now lives in Australia. As a child, his family never mentioned anything about Jesus Christ, his childhood home was such that they didn't worship or live by the laws of God. He was disappointed to learn that his father was not a Freemason and Neil wondered and worked towards becoming one himself.
After moving back to Canada in his young adulthood, Neil finds his way to the Mason meetings and the tenets that are required to climb through the degrees of masonry! With great detail given to the performance one is required to climb the ranks, such as, writing essays, performing plays and taking oaths of secrecy etc. Neil was sure he was at the top of his game, belonging to a prestigious club for men, he could reach his dreams and goals, however, he was left disheartened.
With all the pageantry and analogies that make up Freemasonry, Neil feels like there is something missing from his life. The Masons explained religion in a textbook style with much hypocrisy, very few of the men who took the vows, actually lived by them. It was all pomp and circumstance and Neil's time with the Masons was short-lived when he came to truly know Jesus Christ and the Living God.
Turning back on the dogma of the Masons, Neil becomes an ordained minister and preaches to the people the real truth. The decision to reveal all he knows about the Masons, came with much consternation and thought, and putting his faith in God, he choose to share all the secrets that the Free Masons hold so dear.
I find the subject material fascinating, however, the prose itself is dry, with a lot of rehashing of thoughts from the author. I enjoyed watching the migration of Neil's religious patterns, his questions are solid and the answers he finds hold true to his self. I loved how he listened to the messages from God that he was receiving that his life could be better fulfilled, preaching, instead of being a lackey to a mega organization whose secrets run deeper than time itself.
I really enjoyed all the historical references shared, as well as, the courage it took to write this book. After reading Neil's account of Free Mason initiations to the next degree or level, I have to wonder how grown men could behave in such a childish manner, then I shuddered thinking these same men hold many powerful positions in our society.
Frankly, many of the situations the Free Masons practice are dangerously close to homosexual acts, in my honest opinion. Men getting together to dress up and act out plays is a very strange custom to have read about and lets not forget, it appears very "cultish" . I have never read some of the rites that Neil has shared with the reader and was most appalled to learn what I did. REALLY?? Men behave in such a manner, well, its no wonder our world is in such a desolate situation. I commend Neil Cullan McKinlay for stepping away from such barbaric and childish behaviour and walking the true path to enlightment!
The book clearly emphasizes the differences between the God of the Freemasons and the True Living God. It explains the lip service of Freemasons with great depth and detail and supports the truth with passages from the bible and other historical references. If your looking to break from the lies and walk into the truth, this is a great read, or if your looking for help to turn someone off the wrong path (Freemasonry) and onto the goodly path of God, then this book will give you some ideas to help keep you focused and proof to back your claims.
In all honesty, my dude was recently invited to become a Freemason, my moral tenets screamed..."NOOOO!!"...He was intrigued with how everyone is successful, while he struggles to put food on our table, the "golden" charm snaked around him and we fought. He believed me to be jealous because I was a woman and excluded, already the evil of the "cult" was changing who he was. I have since put this book in his hands and told him to read it. I don't think he is as willing to walk that path as he once was, thank you Neil for your gift, without this book our lives may have taken a path I would not have wished to travel!
November 16, 2011
Neil McKinlay wrote a very poignant testimony of his life story growing up in Scotland in his book, From Mason to Minister, Through the Lattice. I learned a lot about that wonderful land as well as Canada and Australia because of his testimony. I appreciated yet again the drawing power of our Lord Jesus Christ as Mr. McKinlay shared his life with us. He also interspersed his book with his own poetry, and this lent a romantic air to this volume.
In the preface of From Mason to Minister, Through the Lattice, Mr. McKinlay explains how he did not write “the ordinary” of what is generally offered concerning freemasonry. He doesn’t make a case against it or for it, but he tells instead his testimony and how he was drawn to becoming a Mason but then how he left it in 1990 as a result of his soul searching for God and the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I appreciated the gentle approach this author has taken with freemasonry because it shows the confusion which is rampant about the belief systems of that organization and the mixture of Christianity with it. I also learned that there are some differences in other countries concerning freemasonry and it was refreshing to get a glimpse of someone else’s life in this regard. Although, I did not consider this book well organized; there was not continuity. It seemed to jump from one topic to another.
Mr. McKinlay’s publisher also wrote a note assuring us this was a helpful book because it does not attack freemasonry but instead gives us assertion that this book is, “…a reasonable explanation for how apparently godly men might have associated themselves with an organization now so widely associated with the occult.” (Gerald Christian Nordskog, p188). I trust the Lord can speak through this gentle testimony to some within the ranks of freemasonry, and my hope is that these men will turn to the Lord and forsake it as wholeheartedly and completely as Mr. McKinlay testifies to us that he did.
Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In the preface of From Mason to Minister, Through the Lattice, Mr. McKinlay explains how he did not write “the ordinary” of what is generally offered concerning freemasonry. He doesn’t make a case against it or for it, but he tells instead his testimony and how he was drawn to becoming a Mason but then how he left it in 1990 as a result of his soul searching for God and the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I appreciated the gentle approach this author has taken with freemasonry because it shows the confusion which is rampant about the belief systems of that organization and the mixture of Christianity with it. I also learned that there are some differences in other countries concerning freemasonry and it was refreshing to get a glimpse of someone else’s life in this regard. Although, I did not consider this book well organized; there was not continuity. It seemed to jump from one topic to another.
Mr. McKinlay’s publisher also wrote a note assuring us this was a helpful book because it does not attack freemasonry but instead gives us assertion that this book is, “…a reasonable explanation for how apparently godly men might have associated themselves with an organization now so widely associated with the occult.” (Gerald Christian Nordskog, p188). I trust the Lord can speak through this gentle testimony to some within the ranks of freemasonry, and my hope is that these men will turn to the Lord and forsake it as wholeheartedly and completely as Mr. McKinlay testifies to us that he did.
Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 13, 2011
Written by a once high level mason this book chronicles his journey to discover the Living God. The hot and often debated topic of whether the Masonic Lodges are a cult or not is openly discussed in light of the scriptures. I was very interested in this book as I have a Great Grandfather that was a high level Mason and Shriner. On his death bed he accepted Christ and renounced the Lodges.
I found this book to be excellent as a resource for Pastors and others to show those wondering about the workings and truth of the Lodges. In these pages the reader follows the journey of Neil Cullan McKinlay as he wades the vague fog of the Lodges into the true and redeeming light of true Christianity.
McKinlay does a sound job at showing in an unbiased way the difference between what the Lodge proclaims and what it actually practice and how these very things contradict the teaching of the bible.
An intriguing journey into the shadowy secrets of the Lodges this book guides readers through the secret rites and teachings of a closed cult. I found it rather ironic that the bible presented to McKinlay upon his entrance into the Lodges was the very book that led to his acceptence of Christ.
A great easy read. Very informative and very biblically sound. If you are interested in understanding just how far off this lodge is from true christianity this book will clearly answer your questions.
Thank you Nordskog Publishing for this review copy.
I found this book to be excellent as a resource for Pastors and others to show those wondering about the workings and truth of the Lodges. In these pages the reader follows the journey of Neil Cullan McKinlay as he wades the vague fog of the Lodges into the true and redeeming light of true Christianity.
McKinlay does a sound job at showing in an unbiased way the difference between what the Lodge proclaims and what it actually practice and how these very things contradict the teaching of the bible.
An intriguing journey into the shadowy secrets of the Lodges this book guides readers through the secret rites and teachings of a closed cult. I found it rather ironic that the bible presented to McKinlay upon his entrance into the Lodges was the very book that led to his acceptence of Christ.
A great easy read. Very informative and very biblically sound. If you are interested in understanding just how far off this lodge is from true christianity this book will clearly answer your questions.
Thank you Nordskog Publishing for this review copy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews