Superstitious Religion — William V. Beasley

From the Word and Works archives. In this sermon preached on May 6, 1984, at the Pekin Church of Christ in Pekin, Indiana, William V. (Bill) Beasley examines the subject of superstitious religion and raises an important question: Where did our religion come from—God or man? Beginning with Acts 17:16–22 and Paul's experience in Athens, Beasley asks what superstition really means. He observes that the term can be understood in different ways, depending upon how it is used and understood. Drawing upon his experiences visiting Nigeria and India, Beasley considers how people from different cultures may view one another's religious beliefs and practices through their own understanding and experiences. Turning to Galatians 4:8, he discusses the importance of knowing God and the relationship between that knowledge and religious belief. He also refers to 1 Corinthians 1:20, where Paul asks, "Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" Throughout the lesson, Beasley encourages listeners to consider the source of their religious convictions. Are our beliefs and practices founded upon the teachings of God, or do they originate in the ideas and traditions of men? Superstitious Religion invites listeners to examine what they believe, why they believe it, and whether their religious practices are grounded in the Word of God. A Note to Our Listeners: As we make these older sermons available, it is ultimately the responsibility of each listener to determine whether what is taught is in accordance with the truth. We encourage every listener to carefully examine what is heard and to study the Scriptures with due diligence. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” — 2 Timothy 2:15