What does the Bible say about snake handling? (1 Viewer)

[JacksinPA]

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? Should Mark chapter 16 be in the Bible?

www.gotquestions.org

Snake handling, as practiced by some misguided churches, is not a biblical endeavor. Mark 16:17–18 is used by some as a basis for handling snakes: “These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will . . . pick up snakes with their hands.” Churches that practice snake handling have special services in which people actually handle venomous snakes, supposedly giving evidence that the church members are true believers who are empowered and protected by God. It’s true that Mark 16:17–18 says Jesus’ followers will “pick up snakes,” but there are several problems with the modern practice of snake handling.

First, the practice of handling snakes for the purpose of “proving” one’s faith (or proving God’s protection) is a violation of God’s command not to put Him to the test: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7; cf. Deuteronomy 6:16). Trying to force God’s hand by requiring that He perform an obvious miracle is more than foolish; it is sinful. To test God’s presence and power by purposely placing oneself in an unsafe situation is expressly forbidden in Scripture. Daniel did not seek out the lions, but when he found himself surrounded by them, through no fault of his own, he found God was there. Likewise, we trust God in dangerous situations, but we never purposely seek out danger.

Second, it is important to remember that there are serious questions regarding whether verses 9–20 of Mark 16 belong in the Bible. The evidence suggests that these verses were not originally part of the Gospel of Mark. Some of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts do not contain verses 9–20. Other manuscripts contain verses 9–20 but set them apart from the rest of the Gospel. The most likely explanation is that Mark 16:9–20 is an interpolation. As a result, it is unwise to use anything from Mark 16:9–20 as the sole basis for any doctrine or practice. Snake handling is one such example of a dubious concept drawn from Mark 16:9–20. For more information, please see our article “Should Mark 16:9–20 be in the Bible?”
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Referring to the Bible as being literal truth is a fallacy. Living your spiritual life based on the Bible being literal truth gets you into situations like God turning Lot's wife into a pillar of salt. In this article they actually challenge the truthfulness of the quoted passage about picking up snakes in order to prove how devout you are.

 

[Daisy]

No...it is presumptuously challenging Jehovah God...an attempt to force God to prove Himself true to His Word by performing spectacular deeds...

"Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

 

[JacksinPA]

No...it is presumptuously challenging Jehovah God...an attempt to force God to prove Himself true to His Word by performing spectacular deeds...

"Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

A lot of holier-than-thou die every year from handling venomous snakes. Whether or not they go to Hell is not the point.

 

[Daisy]

A lot of holier-than-thou die every year from handling venomous snakes. Whether or not they go to Hell is not the point.

If they die, they are in hell/the grave...

 

[Noodlegawd]

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? Should Mark chapter 16 be in the Bible?

www.gotquestions.org

Snake handling, as practiced by some misguided churches, is not a biblical endeavor. Mark 16:17–18 is used by some as a basis for handling snakes: “These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will . . . pick up snakes with their hands.” Churches that practice snake handling have special services in which people actually handle venomous snakes, supposedly giving evidence that the church members are true believers who are empowered and protected by God. It’s true that Mark 16:17–18 says Jesus’ followers will “pick up snakes,” but there are several problems with the modern practice of snake handling.

First, the practice of handling snakes for the purpose of “proving” one’s faith (or proving God’s protection) is a violation of God’s command not to put Him to the test: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7; cf. Deuteronomy 6:16). Trying to force God’s hand by requiring that He perform an obvious miracle is more than foolish; it is sinful. To test God’s presence and power by purposely placing oneself in an unsafe situation is expressly forbidden in Scripture. Daniel did not seek out the lions, but when he found himself surrounded by them, through no fault of his own, he found God was there. Likewise, we trust God in dangerous situations, but we never purposely seek out danger.

Second, it is important to remember that there are serious questions regarding whether verses 9–20 of Mark 16 belong in the Bible. The evidence suggests that these verses were not originally part of the Gospel of Mark. Some of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts do not contain verses 9–20. Other manuscripts contain verses 9–20 but set them apart from the rest of the Gospel. The most likely explanation is that Mark 16:9–20 is an interpolation. As a result, it is unwise to use anything from Mark 16:9–20 as the sole basis for any doctrine or practice. Snake handling is one such example of a dubious concept drawn from Mark 16:9–20. For more information, please see our article “Should Mark 16:9–20 be in the Bible?”
======================================================
Referring to the Bible as being literal truth is a fallacy. Living your spiritual life based on the Bible being literal truth gets you into situations like God turning Lot's wife into a pillar of salt. In this article they actually challenge the truthfulness of the quoted passage about picking up snakes in order to prove how devout you are.

I would worry less about what the Bible says, and more about what common sense and rational thought say about it: It's idiotic and pointless.

 

[noonereal]

[

What does the Bible say about snake handling?​

Be careful?

 

[noonereal]

A lot of holier-than-thou die every year from handling venomous snakes. Whether or not they go to Hell is not the point.

Go to hell? lol

 

[devildavid]

No...it is presumptuously challenging Jehovah God...an attempt to force God to prove Himself true to His Word by performing spectacular deeds...

"Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

You didn't consider the context of that quote. He wasn't talking to all of us. Who was he talking to? Hmmmmm?

 

[tosca1]

A lot of holier-than-thou die every year from handling venomous snakes. Whether or not they go to Hell is not the point.

As your article in your OP explains......

Snake handling, as practiced by some misguided churches, is not a biblical endeavor.

God can and will protect us, according to His will, as we are serving Him. But we are not to put the Lord to the test.

Just as Jesus refused to jump off the pinnacle of the temple and just as Daniel did not go lion-hunting, so are we not to intentionally seek out situations that require
God’s miraculous intervention.

While not speaking directly of snake handling in churches, 1 Corinthians 10:9 could apply: “We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.”

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? Should Mark chapter 16 be in the Bible?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Logician Man]

But we are not to put the Lord to the test.

.....we are not to intentionally seek out situations that require
God’s miraculous intervention.

Of course, from a religious skeptic's perspective, it makes perfect sense that the bible writers would insert into their holy text the directives to "Not put the Lord to the test" nor "to intentionally seek out situations that require God's miraculous intervention." - Why? Because from a skeptic's perspective, man concocted God(s)/God concept(s,) and therefore there are no God(s) to pass or fail any test put forth by mankind, and there are no such things as miracles or "miraculous intervention."

 

[devildavid]

As your article in your OP explains......

Snake handling, as practiced by some misguided churches, is not a biblical endeavor.

God can and will protect us, according to His will, as we are serving Him. But we are not to put the Lord to the test.

Just as Jesus refused to jump off the pinnacle of the temple and just as Daniel did not go lion-hunting, so are we not to intentionally seek out situations that require
God’s miraculous intervention.

While not speaking directly of snake handling in churches, 1 Corinthians 10:9 could apply: “We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.”

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snake handling? Should we be handling snakes in church? Should Mark chapter 16 be in the Bible?

www.gotquestions.org

Worse than handling snakes is grumbling:

"And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel." Seems a bit harsh to send a killer angel after grumblers.

This Paul stuff is crazy. That guy obviously had more than a few screws loose.

 

[Daisy]

The wise one would examine of what Paul was speaking before he "grumbles" about Paul...

Numbers 14:1-5...

• Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured: The Israelites murmured, complaining against Jehovah on several occasions. For example, they strongly criticized Moses and Aaron when 10 of the 12 spies sent out to inspect the land of Canaan brought back negative reports. They even proposed appointing a new leader instead of Moses and felt that it might be better to go back to Egypt. (Nu 14:1-4) Later, “the whole assembly . . . began to murmur” about the execution of the rebels Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and those who sided with them. The murmurers apparently thought that the execution was unjust, and their complaining spirit affected many others. Jehovah responded by sending a scourge that took the lives of 14,700 Israelites. (Nu 16:41, 49) Jehovah regarded such murmuring against his representatives as murmuring against him personally.—Nu 17:5.
• https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/46/10#s=10&study=discover

 

[devildavid]

The wise one would examine of what Paul was speaking before he "grumbles" about Paul...

Numbers 14:1-5...

• Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured: The Israelites murmured, complaining against Jehovah on several occasions. For example, they strongly criticized Moses and Aaron when 10 of the 12 spies sent out to inspect the land of Canaan brought back negative reports. They even proposed appointing a new leader instead of Moses and felt that it might be better to go back to Egypt. (Nu 14:1-4) Later, “the whole assembly . . . began to murmur” about the execution of the rebels Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and those who sided with them. The murmurers apparently thought that the execution was unjust, and their complaining spirit affected many others. Jehovah responded by sending a scourge that took the lives of 14,700 Israelites. (Nu 16:41, 49) Jehovah regarded such murmuring against his representatives as murmuring against him personally.—Nu 17:5.
• https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/46/10#s=10&study=discover

Oh, poor widdle god is so sensitive to criticism he sends killer angels. Whatever happened to free will with such a vindictive baby?

 

[Daisy]

Oh, poor widdle god is so sensitive to criticism he sends killer angels. Whatever happened to free will with such a vindictive baby?

They exercised their free will...they made the wrong decisions, which resulted in death...

 

[devildavid]

They exercised their free will...they made the wrong decisions, which resulted in death...

And god did not let them live their life out naturally to its end. During that time, they could have learned the :truth" and become JW's. Free will means free, not at god's discretion to cut off at a whim because he has a temper tantrum like child.