EP 91 Patriarchs, Antediluvians, Peary Rader, and the 12 Masonic Origin Theories

Did Freemasonry come from the Patriarchs and Antediluvians? In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we continue exploring Theory #1 from the 12 origin theories of Freemasonry listed in the Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia of 1877: the theory that Masonry came down from the Patriarchs of the Old Testament. We also look at Anderson’s Constitutions, including the legendary account of the ancient world before the Flood, the Patriarchs, Adam, Seth, Cain, Noah, Babel, astronomy, geometry, and Masonry. Then we bring it back to the iron. We learn about Peary Rader, founder, owner, and editor of Iron Man Magazine for 50 years, and his classic 1946 work: The Rader Master Bodybuilding and Weight Gaining System Rader was a devout believer in the squat and its powerful effect on the body and mind. We also discuss Joseph Curtis Hise, the milk-and-squats routine, the brutal 20-rep squat routine, John Grimek, and old-school weight-gaining methods from 1946, including six small meals throughout the day. This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem: How can Masons examine ancient origin legends without confusing myth-history, scripture, symbolism, and historical proof? We discuss: the 12 origin theories of Freemasonry the Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia Theory #1: the Patriarch Theory the Antediluvians Anderson’s Constitutions Benjamin Franklin’s 1734 reprint Adam, Seth, Cain, Noah, Babel, Shinar, Babylon, Assyria, and ancient geometry astronomy, geometry, and Masonry the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Patriarchs the Transition Theory from Operative to Speculative Masonry whether Grand Lodges promote the Transition Theory too confidently Peary Rader and Iron Man Magazine Joseph Curtis Hise and Brother Hise John Grimek milk and squats the 20-rep squat routine old-school weight gaining and discipline The Patriarch Theory is not something we swallow whole. We test it. Is it history? Is it scripture? Is it symbolism? Is it myth-history? Is it Masonic legend? Is it part of the mental furniture early Masons used to explain the Craft? That is the work. And the same thing applies to strength training. You do not get strong by reading about squats. You get strong by putting the bar on your back and doing the work. Masonic origin research builds the mind. Hard training builds the body. Both require discipline. Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or information about Joseph Curtis Hise? Write to me at: [email protected] Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram: @masonicmuscle Follow Masonic Muscle on Facebook. Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.