Is it a serious sin not to believe in a talking snake?

[polonius]

Pope Pius X decreed that:
“Wherefore we find it necessary to declare and to expressly prescribe, and by this our act we do declare and decree that all are bound in conscience to submit to the decisions of the Biblical Commission relating to doctrine, which have been given in the past and which shall be given in the future, in the same way as to the decrees of the Roman congregations approved by the Pontiff; nor can all those escape the note of disobedience or temerity, and consequently of grave sin, who in speech or writing contradict such decisions, and this besides the scandal they give and the other reasons for which they may be responsible before God for other temerities and errors which generally go with such contradictions.


Teaching of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, Question III: Whether in particular the literal and historical sense can be called into question, where it is a matter of facts related in the same chapters, which pertain to the foundation of the Christian religion; for example, among others, the creation of all things wrought by God in the beginning of time; the special creation of man; the formation of the first woman from the first man; the oneness of the human race; the original happiness of our first parents in the state of justice, integrity, and immortality; the command given to man by God to prove his obedience; the transgression of the divine command through the devil's persuasion under the guise of a serpent; the casting of our first parents out of that first state of innocence; and also the promise of a future restorer? -- Reply: In the negative.

So the Pope says that Catholics have to believe that the talking serpent story is true as a matter of faith. Do they?

[brianbbs67]

Sin is defined by scripture as only violating God's commands. So, if God didn't command anything about believing in talking snakes, we are ok.

[polonius]

Sin is defined by scripture as only violating God's commands. So, if God didn't command anything about believing in talking snakes, we are ok.

RESPONSE: God didn't command that we have to believe anything in the Old Testament. Can we disregard it then???

[brianbbs67]

Sin is defined by scripture as only violating God's commands. So, if God didn't command anything about believing in talking snakes, we are ok.

RESPONSE: God didn't command that we have to believe anything in the Old Testament. Can we disregard it then???

God didn't command us to believe in anything. He presented the law as a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you follow and a curse if you don't.

[polonius]

p=962459#962459]brianbbs67[/url]"]

Sin is defined by scripture as only violating God's commands. So, if God didn't command anything about believing in talking snakes, we are ok.[/quote]

RESPONSE: God didn't command that we have to believe anything in the Old Testament. Can we disregard it then??? [/quote]

God didn't command us to believe in anything. He presented the law as a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you follow and a curse if you don't.[/quote]

RESPONSE: But you are saying we have to believe in God to begin with???

[brianbbs67]

p=962459#962459]brianbbs67[/url]"]

Sin is defined by scripture as only violating God's commands. So, if God didn't command anything about believing in talking snakes, we are ok.

RESPONSE: God didn't command that we have to believe anything in the Old Testament. Can we disregard it then??? [/quote]

God didn't command us to believe in anything. He presented the law as a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you follow and a curse if you don't.[/quote]

RESPONSE: But you are saying we have to believe in God to begin with???[/quote]

No, we don't have to believe in God. I believe its to our detriment if we don't.

[FWI]

Is it a serious sin not to believe in a talking snake?

No, it is not…

Mainly, because the snake didn't talk! In Genesis 1:25 and 30, there is a clear distinction between the beasts of the field and everything that creeps on the ground. Thus, it should be obvious that the beast, which talked in Genesis 3 is not referring to a snake, but to a beast…The idea of a snake didn't come into play, until the penalty phase of the example. Which, doesn't show a "comeback" or complaint from the beast of the field, who was changed into a snake.

[ttruscott]

IMO,
P. knows there was no literal talking snake and he is having us on. I suggest that he has read Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. and knows that the appellation snake or serpent is often used for the person Sartan.

Otherwise he's be asking about Luke 13:31 At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.� 32 But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox,"...

and suggest shape shifting in MATT 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.�

[kcplusdc@yahoo.com]

For goodness s(n)akes, better pump the brakes everyone knows there are no talking snakes!!
All my conversations with snakes have been one word. I'm walking along, minding my own business, when I just about step on one, in mid strude my body does what it does when it sees danger, basically it looks like im getting electrocuted and then I yell "snake"!! Followed by a hasty retreat to a safe distants and a quick change of underwear.

I think we can safely assume that if snakes ever could talk they dont now.

[polonius]

Truscott posted:

IMO,
P. knows there was no literal talking snake and he is having us on. I suggest that he has read Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. and knows that the appellation snake or serpent is often used for the person Sartan.

RESPONSE In 1909 the Catholic Church following the theological thinking of the day insisted that all Catholics believe literally in a talking snake in the Bible.