Serpent Handling Believers [Paperback]

Thomas Burton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 087049788X | ISBN-13: 978-0870497889 | Edition: 1

In some remote churches in East Tennessee and nearby states, Jesus's words in the 16th chapter of Saint Mark are taken literally: "and they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them." Members of these churches describe themselves as Pentecostal-Holiness. Burton debunks the myths surrounding these "snake-handlers" and gives a balanced view of their religion. 84 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Melding oral history with scholarly research, this remarkable book explores the controversial practice among some Christians of handling poisonous serpents as an act of faithful obedience. Dramatic photographs and interviews introduce readers to some of the devoted practitioners. Burton's respectful approach does not prevent him from asking hard questions, however, as he analyzes the history of the practice and accompanying ethical and legal issues. Having produced three documents on serpent handling, Burton (English, East Tennessee State Univ.) here, too, distills the salient issues while giving readers a glimpse of the serpent-handlers' culture, as they understand it. Highly recommended.
- Cynthia Widmer, Downingtown, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Univ Tennessee Press; 1 edition (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087049788X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870497889
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith such as this ..., February 11, 2007

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Serpent Handling Believers (Paperback)

In this absorbing work, Burton presents a balanced view of serpent handling believers, their history and religious culture. Combining academic research and oral sources, the author charts the history of the phenomenon while examining the legal and ethical issues associated with the practice. Although it is a scholarly study, the personal interviews and numerous black and white photographs make it a riveting read. The author takes a sympathetic approach while presenting both sides of the story, from the opinions of critics to the words of the believers themselves.

Chapters 2 & 3 deal with the life of pioneer George Went Hensley and the early history of the movement from around 1908. The history is further explored in chapter 4, illumined with quotes from the church publication The Evangel. The next one is devoted to the legal history of serpent handling in Tennessee courts with reference to particular cases of arrest and prosecution. The practice has always presented a dilemma between religious freedom and protecting the lives of citizens. It seems that the authorities have consistently been divided but in general have attempted not to interfere with freedom of faith.

Three personalities are given a voice in the chapter titled Portraits, in an attempt to provide psychological insight on the serpent handler. The three individuals are Liston Pack, Charles Prince and Anna Prince, all three of whom are quoted at length.

Media criticism of these believers is examined in the Conclusion, together with psychological studies, from the negative Freudian perspective of Weston La Barre to the sympathetic conclusions of Nathan and Louise Gerrard using the Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test, and the work of Susan Gilmore and Troy Abel. The views of various theologians and contemporary fundamentalist religious leaders like Jerry Falwell are also provided.

Appendix A: The Anointment, examines the phenomenon of acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This section includes a report of an electroencephalograph test taken of Liston Pack by Dr Michael Woodruff, detailing the EEG patterns which occur in the mystical state.

Appendix B: The Music, describes the worship music of the serpent handling churches. It is improvisatory in nature, derived from a blend of bluegrass and country-western styles utilizing 12- and 16-bar blues progressions. Secular melodies are often employed with scriptural lyrics. The instruments include piano, organ, guitar, bass, cymbals and tambourines.

Appendix C is a chronology of the life of George Hensley from 1880 to his death in 1955, and Appendix D: Questions and Answers, attempts to answer a wide range of questions about the snakes, the poison, the fire, key scriptures, the customs of the Pentecostal Holiness churches and the number of believers which sadly seems to be in decline.

According to Kurt Rudolf in Gnosis: The Nature And History of Gnosticism, there were Gnostic sects like The Ophites (also called Ophians or Serpentinians) and the Naassenes in the early Christian era who had some unusual views of serpents but they cannot be considered as forerunners of the Signs Following churches that follow a strict interpretation of the Bible. Theologically the members include Trinitarians and Oneness (Jesus Name) believers but this difference does not seem to matter at all and the churches are non-denominational.

Although there are certain individuals in these churches who have an unhealthy obsession with snakes outside of the religious service and although some of the preachers have led less than exemplary lives, it seems to me that most of the church members are sincere in their beliefs and are godly people who try to live holy lives. I also recommend the book The Serpent Handlers by Fred Brown and Jeanne McDonald.

The book concludes with a reference section of sources in the archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University plus printed sources, legal references and a section on films, videos and records. There are 84 black and white photographs of services, the Church Of The Lord Jesus at Jolo, The Holiness Church of God In Jesus Name at Carson Springs and the former Dolley Pond Church Of God With Signs Following in Birchwood, plus prominent personalities like Lydia Elkins Hollins, organist and singer at the Jolo church whose voice resembles that of Janis Joplin.

It includes a mention of her mother Columbia Gaye Hagerman who died from a snakebite in 1961 at the age of 23. For five days Columbia suffered excruciating pain, refusing all offers of medical intervention before she passed away. An award-winning, personal account of a writer's involvement with this practice is the highly recommended Salvation on Sand Mountain by Dennis Covington.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable Study of a Fringe Group of Americans, July 3, 2008

By 

Boomer "CeeCee" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serpent Handling Believers (Paperback)

Author Thomas Burton does a fascinating, respectful study of one of this country's least understood religious groups--the serpent-handling Christians. He explains the beginning of the religious movement, its evolution, its leaders and its followers (including their prosecutions)with straightforward respect, honestly revealing both the positive and negative qualities of all those. In the end, if (like me) you aren't ready to swap your prayer beads for a rattlesnake, you'll at least be wondering why we call the Hopi sacred mystics when they take up poisonous snakes in their religious rituals, but may be inclined to call rural Caucasians stupid rednecks when they do the same thing.

A must for any serious student of Southern American culture!

You would also enjoy reading Burton's "The Serpent and the Spirit", the totally intriguing story of Glenn Summerford, which is a true crime story that can still be called a mystery, even as Summerford serves time following his conviction for attempting to murder his second wife.

Burton's writing style would make any subject matter fascinating. He serves up non-fiction in a way most authors can only dream of doing. Treat yourself to a Burton read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sympathetic overview, July 28, 2010

By 

R. Bartholomew "Bartholomew" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serpent Handling Believers (Paperback)

This a sympathetic account of the phenomenon of Pentecostal serpent-handling and associated practices such as poison-drinking and fire resistance. The book looks at the subject from various perspectives - there is a historical overview, including a biography of George Hensley and "portraits" of several practitioners; a discussion of legal opposition the practice has faced; and a consideration of sociological, psychological and physiological aspects (parapsychology also gets a reference). There is also a very full bibliography, and many fascinating and striking photographs. However, it remains an overview rather than a definitive treatment.

The author is keen to stress that serpent-handlers are not abnormal or backward, and he wonders why there is so much hostility against them as compared with other risk-taking activities.