In Taking Up Serpents: A History of Snake Handling Kimbrough
explains the history and practice of serpent-handling believers
from the perspective of a respectful and scholarly
participant-observer. While this is a story of Kimbrough's
experiences with the Saylor family of eastern Kentucky, Kimbrough
explains the origins of serpent handling as they emerged in the
teachings of George Hensley of the Grasshopper community near
Cleveland, Tennessee.
Churches that practice snake handling have dotted the
Appalachian mountains for over 100 years, but not until now has
their story been so consistently and faithfully written by an
author who is both a participant-observer and a Ph.D. historian.
Having an Appalachian background himself, David Kimbrough studied,
observed, participated with, and befriended many individuals in
this unique expression of faith: the handling of snakes. This
activity is understood not as a test of God's care and protection,
but in fulfillment of the command of Jesus himself, that if done in
his name then no harm would come to them. The exception to this is
if the person is not right with God, then injury and/or death could
follow. It was a test of the person's faith.
Believing wholeheartedly that such an act was not only
appropriate but commanded, churches practicing the handling of
snakes and the drinking of poisons have often been labeled as
cultic in nature, but, according to Kimbrough, nothing could be
further from the truth. These are people who truly believe in
taking the words of the New Testament seriously.
This wonderfully-researched and engrossing book is the most
complete account of the people and the churches that practice the
handling of snakes intheir worship of God.
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