Salvation on Sand Mountain

Recently I finished reading this book by Dennis Covington. It is a fascinating account of a reporter who, as an outside observer, visits the Church of Jesus Christ with Signs Following. There is something that captivates him about the practice of snake handling, and through the book he describes the process of moving from a casual observer to a willing participant. I highly recommend the book.

Adherents of the practice of snake handling justify their beliefs by citing a passage from the end of Mark's Gospel, in which Jesus seems to command the practice:

[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)

This passage is questionable because of the fact that Mark 16:9-20 is not found in the earliest manuscripts of the book, which indicates that the section was added later. Whatever the case, it is not wise to build a Christian doctrine upon a single verse, particularly within a questionable passage.