One of the single best professors I ever had the opportunity to learn from, despite his saying he had nothing to teach me based on my own assignments. He taught me a great deal. Maybe most importantly, how little I valued my own self worth or ability to be something as incredible as a journalist or author. A professor I should have placed much more importance on than I would realize until I was working in the field I completed and realized it was not where my heart was - despite that I was doing something productive and desperately needed. But here I am, 23 years later, wishing I had taken his word.
Thank you for posting this. I first read Salvation on Sand Mountain in grad school and was mesmerized by the respectful way Dennis Covington wrote about a tradition that would be all too easy to caricature or romanticize. It made me aware of my own tendency to belittle particular forms of Christianity that are different from my own. When I reread it now, I will hear it in his voice.
Dennis Covington is a great writer and extremely interesting person in general . I have enjoyed getting to know him through his writings and the few video interviews that I have seen him in . If anybody has his email address I sure would like to send him an appreciation note . Great interview
Thank you for posting this video. I just read the book and this video gives me even more insight to the culture of snake handling and the author himself.
Oh wow! I remember Dennis. Back in 1995 I was waiting tables in a diner on Siesta Key, Florida and I remember telling Dennis the story of how I grew up in a Jesus Only-Pentecostal-Snake-Handling church in Micco West Virginia. Dennis and I had talked about this a lot and he set forth a journey to (I Think) Jolo West Virginia. They did a news story and Dennis was (actually) caught up in the euphoria of the Church. I can't find a copy of this story anywhere on the Internet but I have a copy of it. Not sure I am allowed to upload it or if Dennis would want me to. The end of the mini documentary showed Dennis's family awaiting his return home.. and he did. Wow! I hope he and his family are well and they have chaulked these world views up as a story...a very bizarre story.
Go Dennis. You are on the right path. I don’t think we have to take serpents from their habitat to Sunday worship . It’s if we encounter them as apostle Paul did. They have the right belief but it’s not meant to be a practice. People need to be careful. All out of body experiences like what Dennis described are not from the Holy Spirit. They’re many other spirits. Be careful which you engage with.
Me too. I was one of his students at UAB. He was an incredible instructor, and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure to learn from.
A "Testimony" on how very dangerous religions are. In this case, the dangers are not only psychological/emotional (as in all religions) they are physically deadly.
Mr. Covington, I have the book,I have attended the Kingston Church hoping to have my book signed by you. Carl Porter became a personal and I was devastated upon his demise. I would drive from Southeast Louisiana to Birmingham to have my book signed.
I am a westerner by location, have been stationed in the South, (ARMY) and sent my son to Vanderbilt.. You have to come to grips with our regional past to move forward to appreciate and understand our great American culture.
This guy is bludgeoning scripture. I heard him quote scripture so terribly out of context. His is a form of dangerous, self-indulgent Christian mysticism. Should be a law against snake handling. Shocking
I don’t remember reading about Jesus dancing around, screaming mindless babble at the top of his lungs holding a rattlesnake. He is very good at cherry-picking scripture and butchering it!!
Your comment says a lot... mainly that you know nothing about the scripture... I suggest you read a little more before you make such a foolish comment.
@@spencerlancaster4255 I can read well enough to know when people are cherry picking a small portion of scripture, and building an entire doctrine around it....a borderline heretical doctrine at that!
@@kevinlott5228 maybe we can say the same about your doctrine? ... or where it’s okay to pass judgment on something just because you disagree.... let’s find the biblical proof on that.... maybe that’s not in your doctrine though.
@@spencerlancaster4255 MR BIDEN WONT BE PRESIDINT VERY LONG CAUSE OF HIS DIMINTIA AND SO KAMALA HARRIS WILL SOON TAKE OVER AS PRESIDINT. THIS IS JESUS PLAN FOR AMERICA AND THE WORLD. PLEASE DON'T HARDIN YOUR HEARTS AGINST GODS WILL.
@@drServitis Mr. Biden doesn’t have dementia, where did you “read” that at? You know nothing of my heart or my religious beliefs... so not sure where that’s coming from either.....
One of the single best professors I ever had the opportunity to learn from, despite his saying he had nothing to teach me based on my own assignments. He taught me a great deal. Maybe most importantly, how little I valued my own self worth or ability to be something as incredible as a journalist or author.
A professor I should have placed much more importance on than I would realize until I was working in the field I completed and realized it was not where my heart was - despite that I was doing something productive and desperately needed.
But here I am, 23 years later, wishing I had taken his word.
I love his calm voice and how careful he is to describe things accurately.
Thank you for posting this. I first read Salvation on Sand Mountain in grad school and was mesmerized by the respectful way Dennis Covington wrote about a tradition that would be all too easy to caricature or romanticize. It made me aware of my own tendency to belittle particular forms of Christianity that are different from my own. When I reread it now, I will hear it in his voice.
This needs to be taken seriously, and treated with respect.
16-5-2015: reading his book on snake handling; well written, personal, informative.
Dennis Covington is a great writer and extremely interesting person in general . I have enjoyed getting to know him through his writings and the few video interviews that I have seen him in . If anybody has his email address I sure would like to send him an appreciation note . Great interview
Thank you for posting this video. I just read the book and this video gives me even more insight to the culture of snake handling and the author himself.
Oh wow! I remember Dennis. Back in 1995 I was waiting tables in a diner on Siesta Key, Florida and I remember telling Dennis the story of how I grew up in a Jesus Only-Pentecostal-Snake-Handling church in Micco West Virginia.
Dennis and I had talked about this a lot and he set forth a journey to (I Think) Jolo West Virginia. They did a news story and Dennis was (actually) caught up in the euphoria of the Church. I can't find a copy of this story anywhere on the Internet but I have a copy of it. Not sure I am allowed to upload it or if Dennis would want me to. The end of the mini documentary showed Dennis's family awaiting his return home.. and he did.
Wow! I hope he and his family are well and they have chaulked these world views up as a story...a very bizarre story.
Logan Brewster id really like to see the video
Go Dennis. You are on the right path. I don’t think we have to take serpents from their habitat to Sunday worship . It’s if we encounter them as apostle Paul did. They have the right belief but it’s not meant to be a practice. People need to be careful. All out of body experiences like what Dennis described are not from the Holy Spirit. They’re many other spirits. Be careful which you engage with.
I would enjoy communicating with Dennis Covington today, 20 plus years since this interview.
Me too. I was one of his students at UAB.
He was an incredible instructor, and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure to learn from.
A "Testimony" on how very dangerous religions are. In this case, the dangers are not only psychological/emotional (as in all religions) they are physically deadly.
In this faith it is not religion, but relationship.
@@apachepilot81 A relationship with what...snakes?
This is a wonderful hidden gem! Thank you.
99 years for attempted murder!? Wow, that's hard core.
Felton yes, but it was particularly cruel.
Mr. Covington, I have the book,I have attended the Kingston Church hoping to have my book signed by you. Carl Porter became a personal and I was devastated upon his demise. I would drive from Southeast Louisiana to Birmingham to have my book signed.
Nothing wrong with our Southern pride!
I am a westerner by location, have been stationed in the South, (ARMY) and sent my son to Vanderbilt.. You have to come to grips with our regional past to move forward to appreciate and understand our great American culture.
After having watched this interview I'm confused about how to rightly understand Covington's book. I think he's just trying to sell more of his books.
Is she in the military. G I Salvation Army. What religion is this? How old is this?
Snakes carry germs ! Where is the lysol and sanitize wipes ? Dennis is quite erudite !
“Christian mystic” is a contradiction in terms. You can’t be both Christian & a mystic. Mystic is new age & new age isn’t Christian.
This guy is bludgeoning scripture. I heard him quote scripture so terribly out of context. His is a form of dangerous, self-indulgent Christian mysticism. Should be a law against snake handling. Shocking
You said it felt like extreces you vanishing snake left..so its demonic..activity
Demonic has to do with evil. So what evil has been done?
@@apachepilot81 worshipping the snake not God..besides when it spoke about snakes meant bewared..have a good day, morning or evening Sr.
Marsha would be stoned if we went by the bible. No way she's straight.
@@adventurelogs A lot more to it, stupid.
Don't forget to drink the kool aid after the service....
I don’t remember reading about Jesus dancing around, screaming mindless babble at the top of his lungs holding a rattlesnake.
He is very good at cherry-picking scripture and butchering it!!
Your comment says a lot... mainly that you know nothing about the scripture... I suggest you read a little more before you make such a foolish comment.
@@spencerlancaster4255 I would be glad to read any “biblical” proof you can find that suggests this brings glory to God in any way!
@@kevinlott5228 sure you can read?
@@spencerlancaster4255 I can read well enough to know when people are cherry picking a small portion of scripture, and building an entire doctrine around it....a borderline heretical doctrine at that!
@@kevinlott5228 maybe we can say the same about your doctrine? ... or where it’s okay to pass judgment on something just because you disagree.... let’s find the biblical proof on that.... maybe that’s not in your doctrine though.
PRAISE JESUS!
THESE HERE IS OUR PEOPLE!
WE ELECTED KAMALA HARRIS AS PRESIDINT. THAT WHAT JESUS WOULD HAVE DONE TWO!
How’s that working out for ya? LOL
@@spencerlancaster4255 WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED, JUST LIKE JESUS SAY IN THE BIBLE!
@@drServitis explain
@@spencerlancaster4255 MR BIDEN WONT BE PRESIDINT VERY LONG CAUSE OF HIS DIMINTIA AND SO KAMALA HARRIS WILL SOON TAKE OVER AS PRESIDINT. THIS IS JESUS PLAN FOR AMERICA AND THE WORLD. PLEASE DON'T HARDIN YOUR HEARTS AGINST GODS WILL.
@@drServitis Mr. Biden doesn’t have dementia, where did you “read” that at? You know nothing of my heart or my religious beliefs... so not sure where that’s coming from either.....