Snake-Handling Christians: Faith, Prophecy and Obedience

By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter

Snake handlers at the Pentecostal Church of God, in Lejunior, Ky., are shown in this Sept. 15, 1946 file photo from the National
Archives and Records Administration.

(Photo: NARA/Russell Lee)

The recent death of a Christian minister from West Virginia who believed that the Bible instructs the faithful to handle snakes and drink poison has put into question a doctrine many believe is unbiblical and dangerous but that its adherents, biblical literalists, say they are compelled to obey.