Snake Handling

June 21, 2010 in Uncategorized with 6 Comments

I’m currently reading Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington.

Before you’re too quick to write off snake handling, read this passage in Mark:

He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)

What are your thoughts on snake handling?  Is it really an expression of a closeness with the Holy Spirit, an unwavering commitment to the Great Commission, and a sign of the presence of Christ in a person’s life?

The way you answer that question says a lot about your hermeneutic.

Leave a comment below and I’ll send you a free, highly poisonous rattlesnake.

 

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  • http://www.noelbagwell.com Noel

    My question is why they choose the snake handling and not the poison drinking. If it’s really about faith, why not go for the gold?

    Also, please keep the snake and give it to someone with more faith. Thanks.

  • http://www.twitter.com/humanivy Jay

    Most Bibles contain the footnote that vs. 9-20 were not a part of the earliest manuscripts, and were most likely added later…and not written by Mark.

    That being said, it seems like a lot of things that happen in the apostolic age in the book of Acts–a form of gifts of the Spirit that were used to authenticate the message of the Gospel and the risen Christ.

    Point being–I'm not a snake handler. Plus, I've read where the most famous snake-handling church in Jolo, WV has seen some 60+ people die. Not enough faith?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Benlreed Ben Reed

    Thanks for the comment, Jay. I'm going to see if we get any more comments, then I'll post my thoughts. You bring up some great points.

  • http://www.virtualpreacher.org Yohan Perera

    I found an acceptable answer here:
    http://www.gotquestions.org/snake-handling.html

    It's in agreement with Jay's view also…

  • http://www.virtualpreacher.org Yohan Perera

    I found an acceptable answer here:
    http://www.gotquestions.org/snake-handling.html

    It's in agreement with Jay's view also…

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Benlreed Benlreed

    Great find, Yohan!