Dadville with Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin Peter Enns: "Dad, Snakes can't talk."
Oct 14, 2025
Dr. Peter Enns, a prominent biblical scholar and author, shares his transformative journey of faith and doubt. He reveals the challenges he faced after leaving Westminster Seminary and prioritizing authenticity in his teachings. Enns advocates for the Bible’s multivocality, highlighting its complex, culturally influenced authorship. He discusses the importance of embracing mystery in faith and redefines what it means to trust in God. Peter also reflects on parenting and the need for open dialogue about scripture with the next generation.
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Leaving Seminary And Losing Boundaries
- Peter Enns describes leaving a seminary job and the ensuing identity crisis when he could no longer rely on institutional boundaries.
- He remembers staring out a window thinking, "I'm not sure I believe anything anymore," and grieving loss of familiar practices.
A Child's Question Cuts Through Fear
- Enns recounts his young son's simple objection reading Genesis: "Dad, snakes can't talk."
- He used that moment to reflect on how people silence honest questions out of fear of religious repercussions.
Bible As Human Documents Across Time
- Enns argues the Bible must be read as products of real people in real cultures across centuries.
- He says historical study reshapes what the Bible is, not just how we interpret single passages.
