Snakes, Signs, and Scripture: What We Get Wrong About the Bible

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Pastor Ridley Barron explored the symbolism of snakes in the Bible, the importance of generosity with wisdom, and the role of outward expressions of faith. They discussed how different cultural and theological perspectives shape our understanding of scripture, touching on Jewish traditions, historical context, and the challenges of interpreting the Bible through a purely scriptural lens. The conversation wrapped up with a deep question from Dan’s daughter, Selah, about discerning good from evil—a thought-provoking way to end the discussion.

Timestamps:

00:23 – The biblical symbolism of snakes: Evil or a tool of discipline?
04:51 – How snakes appear in different parts of scripture
07:16 – Generosity vs. enabling: Navigating wise giving
12:09 – Outward expressions of faith: Hobby Lobby signs, bumper stickers, and more
18:45 – Jewish traditions and their approach to scripture reminders
22:09 – Should we interpret scripture only through scripture?
25:09 – Selah’s question: How do we know God is the good guy?