So, what does this scripture mean anyway? Because I don't know of any Christians who would drink a deadly thing thinking it would not harm them.
A common answer to this is that they would not do that purposely, as that would be "tempting God", and forbidden. They would expect to be hurt, if the did that. But my question would cover accidental cases, too, and the scripture seems to cover these, at least.
On the other hand, there are some Christians who do drink poison on purpose, specifically to show that that scripture is true, and that they are true believers. I corresponded with a pastor of a church that practiced this (as well as snake handling), and he at first claimed that they drank pure strychnine. When I pointed out that strychnine is a powder, he revised his claim: it's some strychnine mixed in bleach.
And then there is the Man in Black, who developed an immunity to iocane powder over several years. Maybe these true believers have done that with strychnine.
Household bleach, by the way, is not as deadly as a lot of people suppose. And a tiny amount of strychnine added to it or anything else won't kill you, either. Tiny enough, that is. I suspect there is some trickery involved in all of these kinds of things. I thought about volunteering to do the deadly-thing preparation for them: I could guarantee it would be truly deadly, but I don't think I could live with that on my conscience.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
A common answer to this is that they would not do that purposely, as that would be "tempting God", and forbidden. They would expect to be hurt, if the did that. But my question would cover accidental cases, too, and the scripture seems to cover these, at least.
Yes, I thought of that as I was writing it.....so since no one drinks it, it cannot be tested, eh? And of course, those who wish it tested are just unbelievers!
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
Yes, I thought of that as I was writing it.....so since no one drinks it, it cannot be tested, eh? And of course, those who wish it tested are just unbelievers!
Well, it could be tested by looking at ER records to see what percentage of poisoning victims are Christians. Should be zero.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Good point, but how we gonna figure out whether they really believed or not? Maybe if they died, the answer was no.
Exactly. It's self-fulfilling. All promises in the Bible can be handled that way. If you don't have a "sound mind" as promised, it's because you don't have enough faith. Healing, peace, power, joy -- they're all in that bag. Even though Jesus is the "author and finisher" of your faith, you're still to blame if anything goes wrong -- you didn't "allow" Jesus to give you the faith you needed. Or something.
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Or maybe the victim becomes very literal, and while they are dying they testify "Doesn't HURT!"
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I had to vote "other" because it's a trick question, a contradiction of terms if taken very literally, (as believers should do except when they don't.)
If a "deadly drink" does NOT kill you when ingested, then it wasn't a deadly drink in that particular case, by definition. I would have called it a "poisonous drink." . . .
You're overthinking it. I think. A reasonable way of reading the verse is something that the would normally be deadly will not hurt -- and not kill -- a true believer. It's a sign, after all.
Also, you seem to have answered "Other" in theological terms, which is fine. I simply answered "Yes" in terms of reality . It's what will happen if I drink a deadly thing. (Some believers agree, as it turns out. )
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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