I've been studying the Templars of late as it relates to my genealogy. What seems to be a probable theory is that the Templars were divided in their intentions. Just as "we the people" have been divided, they, too, were divided by the mid to late late 1300s (possibly even before that, but that period has been my area of focus.). Some of them were deeply loyal to "the cause" while others were willing to compromise their beliefs for wealth, power, and prestige.