Snakehandlers

An example of a gross misunderstanding of scripture is in the news during this last week of February. Jamie Coots was co pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name, in Middlesboro, Kentucky. On Saturday night, February 15th, he died from a rattlesnake bite after he “took up” the serpent in a religious ritual at church services earlier that night. Coots refused treatment for the snake bite both at the church and later at his home. Coots and his church are one of an estimated 125 USA congregations that practice a religious ritual of “taking up” snakes. This bizarre ritual is based on a misunderstanding of a phrase in the Gospel of Mark. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. Mark 16:18 Coots was featured last year in the National Geographic reality show Snake Salvation. He is a 3rd generation pastor leading his church in the snake handling ritual in their church services. The ritual is illegal, but local authorities generally tend to not prosecute snake handlers. Virtually all of the groups that hold to this belief are located in rural communities such as Middlesboro. Coots has led his church in this ritual for many years, and this was the 10th time he was bitten in a church service. Several years ago, Coots lost a portion of a finger as it literally rotted away to the bone due to a snake bite. The family views Coots death as simply God’s will. His son, Cody Coots said, The snake that bit him, we've been carrying him to the church for about four months. It's been carried hundreds of times, handled all kinds of times but now when it's your time to go, it's just your time to go.


Andrew Hamblin, whose mentor is Coots, is another pastor featured in the Snake Salvation reality show. Hamblin’s church, Tabernacle Church of God is across the state line in La Follette, Tennessee. In Tennessee, the conflict between over religious freedom is more than just a philosophical debate. The possession of the snakes is a clear violation of a 1947 law banning ownership of poisonous reptiles. These sincere snake handlers base their religious ritual on the Mark 16:18 scripture. Proper interpretation is that Jesus is simply stating the supernatural power of God in the lives of His followers. One example of that power is an incident recorded in the book of Acts. The apostle Paul was not hurt and God was glorified when he was bitten by a poisonous snake after surviving a storm and being shipwrecked. (Acts 28:5)

In response to this recent tragedy, please note two NewsViews conclusions. The 1stapplication is that all have every right to practice their religion as they choose. Neither the government nor other Christians have the right to prohibit the free expression of any religious belief, regardless of how bizarre it may be. Even to the point of death, these sincere, yet misguided believers must be free to express their religion. If the government is ever given the right to determine which religious rituals are acceptable, even the most orthodox church has the potential of being controlled by government. The 2nd application is that churches & Christians must make it a priority to train believers in the application of scripture. Paul’s challenge (accurately handling the word of truth 2 Tim 2:15) is just as practical in 2014 as it was in the 1st century.

The snake handling heresy is bizarre and dangerous and brings ridicule by those who are skeptical of Christians. There is, however, an even greater heresy regarding scriptural truth far more prevalent than snake-handlers in rural Appalachian states. This truly dangerous doctrinal error is the widely held belief in a universal grace. Biblical truth is that grace and justice complement each other. There cannot be one without the other. If there is grace, there must first be consequence for sin so that Christ’s sacrifice has purpose. Universalism is a worldview that must be challenged by truth. It is heartbreaking that a very sincere man, like Pastor Coots, would die with snake venom in his veins due to his misapplication of scripture. It is even more heartbreaking that millions of people are inflicted with the venom of sin. This venom brings eternal death and separation from God. As recorded in Genesis, Satan deceived humanity as the serpent in the garden. The promise from the very beginning is that God will ultimately crush the power of Satan. God cursed the serpent and spoke prophetically. He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. Genesis 3:15 The power over the “serpent” is Jesus’ death burial and resurrection! All humanity has the venom of sin, but truth is now a song of triumph. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:55-57

Today’s NewsView is a call to fervently defend our Constitutional rights for religious freedom. NewsViews is also a reminder to clearly teach salvation by grace instead of the heresy of universalism… but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:55-57