John Nelson Darby: Freemason

John Nelson Darby Marked His Doctrinal Writings With Masonic/Theosophical Terms

John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), the "Father of Dispensationalism," used occult language throughout his doctrinal writings and letters. The majority of the phrases are found in Kabbalistic/Theosophical literature. J.N. Darby learned these esoteric terms somewhere—not from the Bible—and he deliberately integrated them into his theological treatises and letters. His practice of merging Theosophical vocabulary with supposedly biblical teaching is a form of syncretism. (It is also a red flag.)

(Note: The fact that Mr. Darby died six years before Theosophy's co-founder, Helena Blavatsky published her masterwork, The Secret Doctrine, has no bearing upon his use of Theosophy-specific terms and ideas. Theosophy is ancient (1) and originates with Satan, not with H.P. Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott. (2)

Do you really believe the Holy Spirit led J.N. Darby and other Brethren leaders to use Luciferian terms to refer to God and teach supposedly "recovered" biblical truths? (3)

The Absolute

Theosophy and the Absolute

The Absolute is a Theosophical term for God.

The following is Helena Blavatsky's description of the Absolute in The Secret Doctrine:

Darby and the Absolute

John Darby used the word, Absolute (with capitals to indicate a title) in reference to God:

"The essential being of Godhead cannot change, as is evident - the Absolute, as men speak - and whatever His humiliation, all the fulness of the Godhead (theotetos) dwelt in Him bodily." Quote source: The Humiliation of Christ by J. N. Darby http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/NOTESCOM/42023_9E.html

 

Architect

Theosophy and the Architect

"The occultist, however, works there; he becomes a conscious directing agent; he creates upon the physical plane that which he desires, and that which he desires is the pattern of [244] things and the design laid down upon the trestle board of the spiritual consciousness by the great divine Architect."

http://www.sanctusgermanus.net/ebooks/Glamour--A%20World%20Problem%20by%20Alice%20A.%20Bailey.pdf

 Darby and the Architect

John Darby used the Masonic/Theosophical word, Architect (with capitals to indicate a title) in reference to God:

But we need a "Faithful Witness." We see God in nature that is true, but all this knowledge does not lead man to God. Man has spoilt all. The traces of God, of the Architect, are there; but it is a ruin. All is defiled from His mind; all is in degradation. http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/PRACTICE/16024_7E.html

 

The Heavenly Architect

Theosophy and the heavenly architect

"And then he desired him to bring his army, which, from respect, had been encamped at a distance, and he called on the heavenly architect, Vishvakarma, to come and build him lodgings for Bharata and his followers, and to various Deities to aid him in showing due hospitality." Quoted from Shri Ramachandra by Theosophist Annie Besant http://www.levir.com.br/theotext.php?cod=00900

Darby and the heavenly Architect

"It is life; that is, Christ, as having, as Son, life in and from the life of the living God, life divine, life in Himself (proved in resurrection), which is the foundation and security of the assembly built by the heavenly Architect, against which he who has the power of death, Satan, cannot prevail." ("Heavenly Architect" is also a Masonic term.)

Quoted from The House of God; the Body of Christ; and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. J. N. Darby http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/ECCLESIA/14002E.html

 

 Vital Force

The occult and vital force

"Vital Force, the force – the energy of life, that makes the difference between a dead and a living body." http://hpathy.com/homeopathy-philosophy/the-vital-force-the-concept-of-resonance/

"A person is "really dead" when his vital force is totally diminished." http://afrikaworld.net/afrel/atr-reincarnation.htm

Darby and vital force

"All suffering was over for Him at His death; and in His resurrection all is new for us! all our sins are forgiven, and we are with Him in God's presence, and when He comes we shall be like Him in glory. But though He died it was not because His vital force was exhausted. He cried with a loud voice and gave up the ghost." -- JN Darby http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/EXPOSIT/24033_6E.html

[Note: John Darby used the term, "vital force" the same way that occult practitioners do.]

 

The Divine Mind

Theosophy and the Divine mind

H. P. BLAVATSKY defined Occultism as “the study of the Divine Mind in Nature”. Quote source: Occultism by Annie Besant http://www.anandgholap.net/AP/Occultism-AB.htm

Darby and divine mind

In spiritual subjects, it is the object of much distinct converse in them to be able to present them primarily and vividly, so as to lead the way to fuller investigation of the divine mind. http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/DOCTRINE/29002E.html

 

Divine Being

Theosophy and the Divine Being

Theosophist Alice Bailey stated that the Seven Rays that reach us on Earth locally originate within the "Solar Logos," i.e., the consciousness of the "Divine Being" of the Sun. http://www.new-age-center.com/article/seven-rays-in-theosophy

Darby and divine Being

Christians are brought into connection with the divine Being Himself, and in acts which ought to have the most powerful effect on the heart and conscience; if they do not, both the one and the other are in a bad state and hardened. http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/2timothy/2timothy2.html

 

Divine Essence

Theosophy and divine essence

The fundamental teaching of the ancient wisdom is the spiritual unity of all things. Blavatsky writes: ". . . 'not only humanity -- composed as it is of thousands of races -- but everything that lives is made of the same essence and substance, is animated by the same spirit, and consequently, everything in nature is bound in solidarity.' Rejecting the idea of a God existing outside nature, theosophy speaks of an all-pervading divine essence, an infinite ocean of consciousness, from which all things are born and to which they ultimately return." http://davidpratt.info/hpb.htm

Darby and divine essence

"No man hath seen God at any time: the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." He knew, and saw, as One familiar and at ease with the Father and the Holy Ghost, with the glory of the Godhead. He was Himself in the unity of the divine essence." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/EVANGEL/21016_9E.html

 

Divine Energy

Theosophy and Divine Energy

"All human history and all human temperaments, all ways to serve and all ways to joy, are seen as manifestations of one or another of the seven "rays" which channel divine energy into the life of the world." http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/seven_rays_of_theosophy.html

 Darby and Divine Energy

"There is a power which takes us, as it were, out of ourselves, where God is in divine energy, but there is a calculation of love which is divine too." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/letters/51176E.html

 

Unintelligent Energy

Theosophy and Unintelligent Energy

"It is evidently first apparent as a blind force seeking the light of self-perception and from this it arises that we are often puzzled by the appearance of an apparent unintelligent energy, known to us as the law of necessity usurping the control of the Universe."  (Theosophical review, Volume 6 Googlebooks.com)

Darby and Unintelligent Energy

"When the carnal and unintelligent energy of Peter employs force to defend Him, who, if He would, had only needed to have gone away when a word from His lips had cast down to the ground all those who came to take Him, and the word that revealed to them the object of their search deprived them of all power to seize it." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/john/john18.html

 

Energy of Faith

Theosophy and energy of faith

"The weak point and vicious aspect of the arrangement is that people, not understanding the real meaning of these rituals, have come to perform them quite mechanically, and the energy of faith has evaporated leaving behind the scum of blind-belief. So to-day the religious actions and exercises are in greatest measure a farce, nay more, a blasphemy."

http://www.blavatsky.net/magazine/theosophy/ww/additional/ancientlandmarks/TheTempleOfKnowledge-2.html

 Darby and the energy of faith

If God has shewn that He took notice of His servant's fault, and did not pass it lightly over, He did not fail towards him in either tenderness or faithfulness. He acted towards him as towards a beloved and faithful servant, even at the moment in which He made him sensible of his failure in the energy of faith; for He did not make others aware of it, although He has communicated it to us for our instruction. http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/2kings/2kings1.html

 

The Secret Wisdom of God

Kabbalah and the secret wisdom of God

"According to tradition, the Kabbalah is the secret wisdom of God, first given to Adam and Moses and passed on orally from teacher to student down through the ages to the present." http://www.lumen.org/issue_contents/contents03.html

 Darby and the secret wisdom of God

"The church continues, if you take the secret wisdom of God; if you take the revealed statement of God, there is no intimation of remaining here. You will never find the church contemplated as remaining, so as to put off the coming of the Lord." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/EXPOSIT/26020-6E.html

 

Divine Principle

Theosophy and the divine principle

"We believe in a universal divine principle, the root of all, from which all proceeds, and within which all shall be absorbed at the end of the great cycle of being" (ibid., p. 63). http://www.greatcom.org/resources/handbook_of_todays_religions/01chap08/default.htm

 Darby and the divine principle

"In the case which has led to these remarks, it is striking to see how this principle elevates the slave in his condition: he obeys by an inward divine principle, as though it were Christ Himself whom he obeyed." (Quote source: John Nelson Darby's Synopsis of the Bible Ephesians Chapter 6: http://stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/ephesians/ephesians6.html)

 

Divine Doctrine

Theosophy and the divine doctrine

"To continue the tradition, we have to add that the class of hierophants was divided into two distinct categories:*** those who were instructed by the 'Sons of God,' of the island, and who were initiated in the divine doctrine of pure revelation; and others who inhabited the lost Atlantis -- if such must be its name -- and who, being of another race, (born sexually but of divine parents), were born with a sight, which embraced all living things, and was independent of both distance and material obstacle." (Term used by Helena Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine--Vol.2) http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sd/sd2-1-12.htm

Darby and the divine doctrine

"It is beautiful to see the way in which divine doctrine enters into the details of life, and throws the fragrance of its perfection into every duty and every relationship; how it acknowledges existing things, as far as they can be owned and directed by its principles, but exalts and enhances the value of everything according to the perfection of those principles; by touching not the relationships but the man's heart who walks in them; taking the moral side, and that of submission, in love and in the exercise of authority which the divine doctrine can regulate, bringing in the grace which governs the use of the authority of God." J. N. Darby (http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/ephesians/ephesians6.html)

 

Vital Principle

Theosophy and vital principle

H. P. Blavatsky wrote in 1888:

The "wave motion of living particles" becomes comprehensible on the theory of a Spiritual ONE LIFE, of a universal Vital principle independent of our matter, and manifesting as atomic energy only on our plane of consciousness. (The Secret Doctrine II, 672.) http://www.blavatsky.net/magazine/theosophy/ww/setting/physics.html

 

Darby and vital principle

"The aggressive action which is the vital principle of all dissenting energy, be it for good or for evil, its professed disconnection with the State, debars it from this place."  http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/DOCTRINE/15016E.html

 

Vital Energy

Theosophy and vital energy

"Most people who have taken the Seven Ray Intensive report life-changing adjustments to their path and an increase of vital energy and spiritual connectedness." http://www.thelotus.org/7rays.html

Darby and vital energy

"Moreover, here is the emphasis, the point of association as the communion of all vital energy, the standard and communication of fulness, and thus all fulness is there. But as the branch bears nothing out of the vine, but withers itself, so we bear no fruit but as abiding in Christ, and this practically proportionately, for all the fulness is in Him." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/NOTESCOM/47015E.html

 

Energy of Love

Theosophy and energy of love

"Bailey wrote of "the return of the Christ", but her concept had little in common with that of mainstream Christian churches. Bailey almost always used the phrase "the Christ" when not referring specifically to the Christian idea. For her, the leadership of the Hierarchy is an "office" (so to speak), to be occupied by various Masters, including the Master Jesus, in the course of Their unfolding evolution. She saw the Christ as a great "Person", embodying the energy of love, and His return as the awakening of that energy in human consciousness." http://www.inplainsite.org/html/alice_bailey_and_lucis_trust.html

Darby and energy of love

"For here it seems to be, in the largest sense, the love of God. Of course, it means God's loving us; but it includes also the blessed fact that no matter what the state of evil may be, as long as the Lord leaves His Church here, there is room for this energy of love to others."  http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/New7_96/Jude_20-25.html

 

Lord of Love

 Theosophy and Lord of Love

"He is known to be the great Lord of Love and Compassion, the Master of the Masters, the Instructor of the Angels and the "One for Whom all the nations wait." And, this Great Being is also known under such additional titles as the True Aquarian, the Pilgrim, the Healer and the Thinker.” Bailey, Alice A. The Reappearance of the Christ, Page 190.  http://www.inplainsite.org/html/alice_bailey_and_lucis_trust.html

 Darby and Lord of Love

"But the patience of the Lord of love is never wearied by the obstinate perverseness of His people." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/EVANGEL/12001E.html

Divine Intelligence 

Theosophy and divine intelligence

Alice Bailey: "On theological interpretations there are wide differences; on a widespread recognition of a universal divine Intelligence or of God (by whatever name the all-embracing Life may be called) there is a general similarity of reaction." http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/externalisation/exte1087.html

 Darby and divine intelligence

"The three parables which follow (v. 44-50) shew the intention of Christ, and divine intelligence, in these things. The field is purchased to obtain the treasure. Christ has bought (not redeemed) the world to possess His own. His power over those who refuse His rights will be manifested in judgment, but this is not the subject of the parable." http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/MISCELLA/33012F.html

the Coming One

Theosophy and the Coming One

"Forgetting the things that lie behind, I will strive towards my higher spiritual possibilities. I dedicate myself anew to the service of the Coming One and will do all I can to prepare men's minds and hearts for that event. I have no other life intention." Discipleship in the New Age.Vol.11, p.226 http://newlight.org.nz/roc/quotes.htm

 Darby and the Coming One

The axe is at the root of the trees, the fan is in the hand of the coming One, the wheat is gathered into God's garner, the chaff burnt up. That is, there is a close of the history of God's people in judgment.  http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/darby/synopsis/matthew/matthew3.html

More  Masonic/Theosophical terms J.N. Darby and/or other Brethren leaders used in their theological Works

(This list is not exhaustive. The information used to provide the citations below was found on the Stem Publishing website.)

Divine Architect (A J Pollock)

Architect of the Universe (C E Stuart, Elliot Stock)

energy of the Holy Spirit (J. N. Darby,  W. Kelly, W. H. Westcott, J Wilson Smith, H. P. Barker, H. J. Vine, William J Hocking, F. B. Hole, J T Mawson, H J Vine, A J Pollock, Forbes Witherby, G. Davison, Frederick W. Grant, Hamilton Smith, C. H. Mackintosh, R. Beacon, H. Forbes Witherby, John Wilson-Smith, Andrew Miller, Edward Dennet, W. T. P. Wolston, G. C. Willis, W. G. Turner, L M Grant)

white light as used by Brethren preacher W.G. Turner:  "In the presence of that intensely white light, the differences in degree of guilt between the woman and her accusers vanished, as each man realised his own unfitness to undertake the office of executing judgment on a fellow sinner."  http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/turner/WGT_Christian_Life.html

"Active Energy": Unbiblical/Occult Term Used to Preach God's Attributes

active energy  was frequently used by John Darby. Active energy actually means evil spirits but Darby has God using active energy to accomplish salvation:

active energy means good: "There was unity of purpose in all the active energy of accomplishing salvation between the Father and the Son." (Thoughts on John 17)

Darby also had active energy mean evil: "He is what fills the scene morally when the apostasy takes place - the active energy which works in man." (Enquiry as to the Antichrist of Prophecy)

active energy as used by William Kelly: "If I say that God is love, I bring out what He is in the active energy of His holy nature. (Ephesians 4-6)

active energy as used by C Crain: "It [light] is ceaselessly, uniformly active, symbolizing thus the active energy in God by which He ceaselessly and uniformly asserts or expresses His moral character." (Readings on the First Epistle of John)

active energy as used by Frederick W. Grant: "It is God manifesting Himself in [relation to] the world of His creation, as 7 is, but now in active energy laying hold of and transforming it." (Spiritual Law in the Natural World : Chapter 6)

active energy as used by E. Dennet: "He was ever the holy One as He passed through this world ever undefiled, notwithstanding that He came continually into contact with sin and evil. He could even touch the unclean leper and yet not be contaminated; for the active energy of His own holy being repelled all the defiling influences of the scene through which He was passing."

active energy as used by F. G. Patterson: "There is also the active energy of evil in those who, "reprobate concerning the faith," are deceiving and being deceived; from such the man of God was to turn away, leaving them to the judgment of God." (Government, Grace, and Glory)

active energy as used by Arthur Pridham: "That perennial flow of pure and joyful confidence, which should not cease within the heart in which God dwells, can only be maintained where first the strength of nature has been withered, and the sufficing riches of the love of Christ are drawn forth from the wells of salvation by the active energy of faith." (Notes and Reflections on the Psalms)

active energy as used in the Stem Publishing website Bible Dictionary T 2, U: "They had been characterised by ungodliness, but the kindness and love of the Saviour-God having appeared, He according to His mercy had saved them by the washing of regeneration (the moral cleansing connected with the new order of things in Christianity: cf. Matt. 19:28), and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He had richly poured out upon them through Jesus Christ their Saviour (the 'renewal' is more than new birth, it is the Spirit's active energy in the believer), that, having been justified by His grace, they should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

active energy as used by Frederick W. Grant: "Now, as an ordinal number, the first, the beginning: He who is in true active energy the beginning, is Creator, Life-giver, Father; counsel and election connect with it; and sovereignty is implied in all of this." (Spiritual Mathematics)

active energy as used by William Kelly: "In principle too can anything be plainer? Hatred certainly is not of God; love is, being the reflex of the active energy in God's nature." (Epistles of John — Addresses 10 - 20.)

active energy as used by A. Miller: "We have now had before us the several parts of the armour of God — the panoply of heaven — that which refers to our state, both inwardly and outwardly — self-judgment, governed affections, practical godliness, confidence in God, a peaceful and peace-making walk, joy in salvation, the active energy of the Spirit, both in the sword and girdle by the word."  Meditations on Christian Standing)

divine teacher

blessed One (The Bible does not refer to God as "the blessed One", but Theosophy refers to their deity by this name)

divine knowledge (See footnote #2 below)

divine wisdom      (See footnote #2 below)

union with Christ

union with God

consummation of the age

the One (title for Antichrist)

spiritual intelligence

God-consciousness 

Great Architect (used by Hocking, Miller)

Divine Architect (used by C. Stanley)

metaphysical

Metaphysically

Metaphysicians

Metaphysics

enlightenment

consummation of the ages

divine energy

divine essence

divine intelligence

all-seeing-eye (used by C. Knapp, J.T. Mawson and Walter Scott) http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/knapp/Kings_Judah_Israel.html

http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/mawson/Emmanuel.htmland

http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/Walter_Scott/WS_Revelation03.html

mystical body

energy

spiritual energy

human consciousness

unintelligent energy

energy of faith

radiance of light

Universal Principle

Universal Truth

Principle

unconditional love  (used by William Kelly http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/kelly/3nt_int/johnint.html)

slave (in reference to Christians)

divine light

divine law

divine spirit

divine order

divine love

divine teaching

divine glory

divine thought

divine plan

divine union

Notes:

(1) Books on ancient Theosophy (See: http://www.ultindia.org/ancient_books.html)

(2) When asked if Theosophy was just a new-fangled religion, Helena Blavatsky replied,

“It is not. Theosophy is Divine Knowledge or Science.”

She also referred to it as “Divine Wisdom,” explaining that Theosophy forms the

“…substratum and basis of all the world-religions and philosophies, taught and practised since man became a thinking being. In its practical bearing, Theosophy is purely divine ethics.”

(Source: http://www.theosophywatch.com/theosophy)

(3) See: Recovery Through Darby and the Brethren http://www.johndarby.org/recovery/index.html

More examples of J.N. Darby's and other Brethren theologians' use of Theosophical terminology may be found at stempublishing.com.

Do you really believe John Darby's (and other Brethren leaders) use of Theosophical terms is merely a coincidence?

Spanish translation -- John Nelson Darby: ¿Teosofista de Closet? (PDF)

Also See:  John Darby's Christ Compared to Alice Bailey's Theosophical Christ

Occult/New Age Markings on the John Darby Bible

Disclaimer: Links to occult sites are for the purpose of documentation only.

Main index: John Darby Version:  Dispensationalism: Masonic Roots