Snake Handling

[Smalcald]

Often handling poisonous snakes in church is mocked by both Christians and non-Christians as some sort of nutty backwoods extremism. But if we really look at Mark 16:17-20, I think it was obviously practiced at a point in our history. I realize that most bible scholars do not consider that part of Mark to have been part of the original Mark, but at the same time it is included in our bible, it is there for a reason. I have been reading a little about this, and reading about groups in the US who have practiced this, I think there may be something to it.

Does anyone have scriptural support for NOT doing this, which would contradict or put into context Mark 16?

[larryt]

Often handling poisonous snakes in church is mocked by both Christians and non-Christians as some sort of nutty backwoods extremism. But if we really look at Mark 16:17-20, I think it was obviously practiced at a point in our history. I realize that most bible scholars do not consider that part of Mark to have been part of the original Mark, but at the same time it is included in our bible, it is there for a reason. I have been reading a little about this, and reading about groups in the US who have practiced this, I think there may be something to it.

Does anyone have scriptural support for NOT doing this, which would contradict or put into context Mark 16?

Hi Smalcald,

Ps 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

The idea that we must tempt God is presumption. The devil tried to do this in the temptation of Jesus.

Mt 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Mt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

With regard to the snake "handling" I believe Paul demonstated what was meant by the verse in Mark 16.

Ac 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Ac 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Ac 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Ac 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Hope this helps,

LT

[larryt]

Hi horizoneast,

The miraculous signs in the passage you site were confined to first century Christians. They were temporary gifts, given by God in the interim as the inspired writers were preparing the New Testament documentation. Paul taught that these miraculous signs would come to an end when written revelation was made

[larryt]

Hi horizoneast,

The miraculous signs in the passage you site were confined to first century Christians. They were temporary gifts, given by God in the interim as the inspired writers were preparing the New Testament documentation. Paul taught that these miraculous signs would come to an end when written revelation was made

[Avodah]

Regarding your point #1 above

[Guest stevej]

Having lived in areas where this practice is not uncommon, I think Jerry Clower had the best response to the whole thing. He was in a church for a speaking engagement where the practice was held. He could not get out the only door in the church and looked around and said "Wonder where they want a new door." I would have already made the door.

[ted]

I can think of some good medical reasons not to mess with them snakes.

t.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Ted,

Does this mean I have to return that big box of poisenous Worthy snakes you sold me from the Worthy merchandise mart? I was just getting the hang of picking them up and all. I noticed the Purple Robe charms them real well.

All right, Just kidding.

As far as that passage in Mark?

I believe that LarryT hit the nail on the head.

Ac 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Ac 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Ac 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Ac 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Peace,

Dave

[Smalcald]

Often handling poisonous snakes in church is mocked by both Christians and non-Christians as some sort of nutty backwoods extremism. But if we really look at Mark 16:17-20, I think it was obviously practiced at a point in our history. I realize that most bible scholars do not consider that part of Mark to have been part of the original Mark, but at the same time it is included in our bible, it is there for a reason. I have been reading a little about this, and reading about groups in the US who have practiced this, I think there may be something to it.

Does anyone have scriptural support for NOT doing this, which would contradict or put into context Mark 16?

Hi Smalcald,

Ps 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

The idea that we must tempt God is presumption. The devil tried to do this in the temptation of Jesus.

Mt 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Mt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

With regard to the snake "handling" I believe Paul demonstated what was meant by the verse in Mark 16.

Ac 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Ac 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Ac 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Ac 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Hope this helps,

LT

Hi Larryt,

Thanks those help me. I think particularly thinking about tempting God, and Paul's example.

The only thing that would counter that argument (and I think you have a stronger case), would be the belief that indeed we are to be as Paul and the signs Christ works among us do convince those of our faith and the reality of that faith, and this may include handling poisonous snakes. Mark is kind of specific, it says that these signs will follow all that believe and will confirm their faith, one of those signs listed was poisonous snakes and drinking poison. There is a fascinating book by Dennis Covington called salvation on Sand Mountain, which details some of the people included in the newsclip by Horizon.

But I would think that yes we may be called on to do this, but only in the context of needing to do it, not in the context of seeking it out, which would support the scriptures you point out.

[Matthitjah]

Smalcald,

Daniel was protected from the Lions in the den. That does not necessarily mean he looked forward with great zeal to being thrown in there. Nor did he, IMO, pull a Bugs Bunny and open the lions mouth and insert his head while examining the sharp teeth.

Peace,

Dave