Final Salvation on Sand Mountain

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Questions and Answers

What is the snake handling faith?

A practice limited to only verbal prayers.

A faith that includes speaking in tongues and handling snakes. (correct)

A belief that one must avoid all dangers.

A group of traditional churches that reject modern practices.

What is snake handling?

Staring death and danger in the face while using faith to feel ecstasy and God's presence.

What is Pentecostalism?

A movement emphasizing direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Define glossolalia.

Speaking in tongues. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Doctrine of Sanctification aim to do?

Transform sinners into saints, enabling them to be free from outward sin. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Azusa Street Revival?

A Pentecostal revival meeting in Los Angeles in 1906, the origin of the Pentecostal movement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?

The Catholic Church response to the Pentecostal movement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main teaching of Martin Luther and John Calvin?

People could be saved only through faith and grace of God. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Doctrine of Predestination?

The divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially regarding salvation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Doctrine of Election explain?

The salvation of a person depends on the election of God. Signup and view all the answers

What are the signs associated with the Doctrine of Signs?

Signs of salvation are often connected to success in life. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Max Weber?

A sociologist who studied the influence of religion on the rise of capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What is charismata?

A spiritual power or personal quality that grants influence over others. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Cane Ridge Revival?

The first and largest gathering of spiritual revivalism in Cane Ridge, KY. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jolo, W.VA known for?

A place famous for snake handling. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Glenn Summerford?

The last preacher of the Church of Jesus with Signs Following. Signup and view all the answers

What type of person was Dennis Covington before snake handlers?

A non-religious writer with no place to judge. Signup and view all the answers

What type of person did Dennis Covington become after the snake handlers?

A writer moved by faith and understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What was Strychnine Poisoning used for in the book?

To get closer to God and the power above. Signup and view all the answers

What does Covington's obsession with danger relate to?

Feeling most alive in near-death experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Women in Snake Handling face?

They believed they had no rights and could not pray with men. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Gospel of Mark chapter 16: verse 17-18 state?

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Signup and view all the answers

Why face death?

To prove God handles death and saves life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the interpretation of the Bible regarding snake handling?

Believers take everything literally including modesty rules for women. Signup and view all the answers

What does back-slide refer to in this context?

Losing faith in God. Signup and view all the answers

How can one become unpossessed by the Devil?

Hold a snake. Signup and view all the answers

What does the moment of ecstasy holding a snake represent?

An intimate out-of-world experience. Signup and view all the answers

What do snake handling parallels illustrate?

Love and passion as seen through handling snakes. Signup and view all the answers

What does Matthew 10:34 convey?

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Role of Women in Church?

Women have no place in the church according to some interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of washing feet in church?

It represents intimacy and personal bonding, mirroring the act of Jesus having his feet washed. Signup and view all the answers

How can loss be found?

By finding life in the loss of it. Signup and view all the answers

What does Covington's moment refer to?

Handling a snake and feeling its power despite knowing it's crazy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Snake Paradox?

Letting the mind go reveals monsters which must be conquered. Signup and view all the answers

What is Carl's opinion of women?

He believes women have no place in the church. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered meaningless?

Nothing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Snake Handling Faith

Holiness churches emphasize Jesus Christ as central, involving practices like speaking in tongues and snake handling to reach spiritual ecstasy.
Snake handling symbolizes staring death and danger in the face, using faith to achieve a profound connection with God.

Pentecostalism stresses direct personal experiences of God via baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Glossolalia refers to speaking in tongues, a significant practice in Pentecostal worship.
The Doctrine of Sanctification aims to transform sinners into saints, promoting freedom from outward sins and "evil thoughts."

Historical Context and Revivals

The Azusa Street Revival in 1906 in Los Angeles marked the start of the Pentecostal movement.
The Cane Ridge Revival in Kentucky attracted over 25,000 attendees, challenging Calvinist beliefs.

Theological Doctrines

The Doctrine of Predestination discusses divine foreordaining regarding individual salvation.
Election relates to a person's salvation based on God's choice, creating uncertainty about one's future.
The Doctrine of Signs suggests that success and worldly achievements can serve as indicators of salvation.

Sociological Perspectives

Max Weber linked religion to economic practices, noting a strong work ethic among Protestant groups, where success was interpreted as a sign of being chosen by God.

Key Figures and Concepts

Charismata refers to spiritual powers that grant influence over others, often manifested during Holiness services.
Jolo, West Virginia, is renowned as a center for snake handling.

Personal Experiences and Transformation

Dennis Covington describes his shift from a non-religious writer to one deeply moved by faith after encountering snake handlers.
Covington's fascination with danger parallels the thrill experienced in snake handling.

Cultural and Gender Views

Women's roles in snake handling communities are often restricted, with strict guidelines regarding dress and behavior.
The debate of women’s roles in the church reflects broader themes of faith, authority, and interpretation of scripture.

Key Biblical References

Mark 16:17-18 highlights signs following believers, including snake handling and immunity to poison.
Matthew 10:34 emphasizes the cost of discipleship, prioritizing loyalty to Jesus over familial ties.

Psychological and Emotional Dynamics

Moments of ecstasy linked to snake handling represent both an intimate experience and a sense of power.
The concept of "back-slide" illustrates loss of faith, with extreme measures taken to restore it, such as in Glenn Summerford's relationship with his wife.

Themes of Life and Death

The pursuit of life through its perceived loss is explored through the perspectives of characters like Punkin Brown and Dennis Covington, raising existential inquiries.
The notion of letting go of reason in favor of spiritual experience leads to confronting inner fears or "monsters."

Reflection on Meaning and Purpose

Carl's perspective reflects a dismissive view of women's roles, suggesting a societal and religious struggle for recognition within a patriarchal framework.
The phrase "nothing" captures the profound sense of emptiness and existential questioning faced by individuals in these communities.

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Description

Explore the unique beliefs and practices surrounding snake handling faith, particularly within Holiness and Pentecostal churches. This quiz will challenge your understanding of ecstasy and personal experiences of God in these communities. Test your knowledge on key terms and concepts related to these distinctive religious practices.