Reza Aslan Communes with Cannibals

[whag]

If he was actually handling venomous serpents then he was taking the verse literally not figuratively.

So you take Genesis literally? Good to know.

No. He was doing what he was told to do, which was reach out to lost people. That isn’t the same as hillbillies holding vipers, therefore it’s not literal.

[rogue06]

So you take Genesis literally? Good to know.

No. He was doing what he was told to do, which was reach out to lost people. That isn’t the same as hillbillies holding vipers, therefore it’s not literal.

So you think that the passage regarding handling venomous serpents is in Genesis?

Anybody playing around with snakes because they think that's what the verse means is taking an idiom literally.

[whag]

So you think that the passage regarding handling venomous serpents is in Genesis?

Cute.

No, if you believe Adam was a literal and not a figurative representation of the first man, then by your definition, you’re taking Genesis literally. You knew what I meant.

Anybody playing around with snakes because they think that's what the verse means is taking an idiom literally.

Richardson wasn’t playing with snakes but spreading the gospel to a part of the world. It’s been a while since I read Peace Child but I don’t remember him handling any snakes. What are you even talking about?

Here’s the snake-handling verse again:

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover

You’ll have to define these items so we’re clear about what you’re getting at.