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Latest episodes from To EL & Back

Episode 112 - The Rapture

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 43:22


Time to look to heavens and shout "Oh Lord, he's a comin'" or something like that. The boys ask tackle the topic that has split up more churches than sexual misconduct, of course we're talking about the Rapture. Who gets picked, when do they get picked, what happens to everyone left behind? These questions and more will not be answered but discussed and joked about nonetheless. Fly away with us. 

Episode 111 - House of David

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 44:25


Bael & Riff continue their media studies with Amazon Prime's House of David. The fellas discuss the historical and biblical accuracy of this new series, and ask a whole lot of questions along the way. Join us. 

Episode 110 - The KJV

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 42:59


The King James Version was the dominant translation of the Bible for over 3 centuries. It shaped how a multitiude of Christians view the scriptures. It also had a tremendous impact on the English language and how it is written. The real question is, why? Does it still have relevance today? Thee and Thous may have been replaced in the modern vernacular but is it still Sola Scriptura? Bael and Riff investigate. 

Episode 109 - Prosperity Gospel

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 43:55


The Prosperity Gospel is about as far from Christ's teachings as one can get. However, Christians all over the world flock to preachers who espouse it. Bael and Riff dig into the back story of this false doctrine in service of their mantra, Sola Scriptura Baby!!!

Episode 108 - Fundamentalists

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 39:35


Fundamentalists are not fun but they are a bit mental. Join Bael and Riff as they break down exactly who, what, why these extremely zealous believers have become the go to for Christian boogeymen. 

Episode 107 - Passover

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 42:40


Passover is an incredibly important holiday for our Jewish friends. The story behind it plays a vital role in the both the Christian and Jewish religions. But how much do you actually know about it? Never fear, for Bael and Riff are here to shed some light on this fascinating and wholesome (in a morbid sort of way) holiday. Grab your matzah and buckle up! 

Episode 106 - The Passion of the Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 66:38


We're keeping our Easter season rolling along with Mel Gibson's ode to Antisemetism and violence. The guys try and make sense of exactly what Mel was trying to say and what the hell that weird baby was. Join them. 

Episode 105 - Easter Traditions

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 36:08


Eggs, rabbits, and pastel colors means it must be Easter. But why? Join Bael and Riff as they hunt for clues about why we do what we do each spring!

Episode 104 - The Inquisition

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 42:05


While we already know that nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, it's probably also fair to say that few people actually understand the Inquistions, Spanish or otherwise. Join Bael & Riff as they look at the who, what, where, when, and why of the Inquisition. They uncover some rather surprising details that color what they thought they knew about this long running and often depicted part of history. 

Episode 103 - Relics

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 42:42


The Shroud of Turin. The Holy Grail. The Spear of Destiny. The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. All of these are relics that many christians find bring them closer to God. What's the deal? From grave robbing, multiple foreskins, and more knock offs than a chinatown Louis Vuitton store, the world of relics is a very weird place. That makes it perfect for Bael and Riff to explore. Join them! 

Episode 102 - Media Studies "Conclave"

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 41:33


*SPOILERS* In keeping with the new format the boys take on their first media study. The 2024 film, Conclave, is the study for this week. A film that got a lot of Oscar buzz and actually picked up a win in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. Join Bael and Riff as they dig into this film and give the blow by blow on this big screen battle without bullets. 

Episode 101 - Exorcisms

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 46:13


The boys are back in town! Bael & Riff have returned rejuvinated and full of opinions. Join them as they explore a new format for the show and start off with a deep dive into the shadowy world of exorcisms. The Power of Christ compels you to listen to this show!!! 

Episode 100 - Christmas Special

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 37:02


Somehow, we've made it to 100 episodes! Thank all of you for listening. The guys have a Christmas present for you, it's a discussion of the Christmas story. Let's reconcile the gospels and air our greivences. Merry Christmas! 

Episode 99 - What Have We Learned?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 35:46


After 98 episodes together, Bael & Riff take a moment to reflect on what they've learned along the way. 

Episode 98 - Thomas, Judas, Mary and a murderous little kid

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 50:05


The boys take a look at some of the wilder non-canonical "gospels". From the missed sarcasm of Judas to Grand Theft Messiah, there's a whole lot to unpack here. 

Episode 97 - Revelation 22

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 44:19


"And now we've come, to the end of the road...." That's right, friends, we've made it to the end of the book. Which if John is to be believed is really the beginning of eternity. Follow the guys once more unto the breach as they round out their Revelation ride with the Bible's post credits scene. 

Episode 96 - Revelation 21

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 40:40


We've slaughtered most of the flora and fauna on earth. We've tossed the wicked into the burning fires of Hell. What's up next? Why it's the HGTV segment of the apocalypse with extreme home makeover, eternal edition! Join your host the Lamb as he builds a beautiful new home that will last the next thousand years. 

Episode 95 - Revelation 20

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 36:19


What time is it? It's judgement time! We normally try to live and let live around here but the Lamb isn't having any of that right now. The gates are open, the chains are out, and it's time for some eternal damnation. Won't you join us?

Episode 94 - Revelation 18 & 19

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 45:12


Now that the smoke has settled and we've seen how the battle will play out, it's time to burst into song. John couldn't resist making the apocalypse a musical, so put on your dancing shoes and join the guys for swinging good time! 

Episode 93 - Revelation 17

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 41:09


The Whore of Babylon. For years artists have portrayed her in many different ways. Theologians have wrestled with the imagery and what it means. Have no fear, Bael and Riff are here to put it all in perspective, and crack a bunch of tasteless jokes along the way! 

Episode 92 - Revelation 15 & 16

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 39:19


Now it's time for God's judment to be served, and he's serving it family style! Seven angels with seven bowls of doomsday goodness for everyone to share. Course after course of punishment is about to get served to the whole world. Won't you join us for dinner?

Episode 91 - Revelation 14

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 50:45


It's time for the showdown. It's Armageddon, and you know what that means...MATH!!! That's right, we've done some disgusting math on this show (see the Noah episode) but this one is word problem that is very problematic. Enjoy!!!

Episode 90 - Revelation 13

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 38:57


It's time for main players to arrive. The entrance music has hit, the pyro is going, it's time for the tag team of Beasts. Not only do we get these abominations, but we also get the line that launched a million records for Iron Maiden. You know the number...or so you think Join our Patreon!!!

Episode 89 - Revelation 12

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 35:47


Chapter 12 has some fantastic imagery, especially if you're a fan of Hannibal Lecter or John Milton. This chapter has some of the thickest imagery in the whole book, good thing Bael and Riff are here to cut through the smoke and put it all in perspective. Join our Patreon!!!

Episode 88 - Revelation 10 & 11

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 40:59


Writing down all this carnage makes a guy hungry. Lucky for John, God's got some books for him to eat. After that, the two witnesses show up. Who are they? While we can't say for sure, we can say that Bael & Riff are not them. Probably. 

Episode 87 - Revelation 9 (Number 9 Number 9 Number 9)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 43:59


The Skapacalypse ramps into full effect in this chapter. We've got monsters, woe, and some of the most black metal stuff in the Bible! Bael and Riff break down the mayhem and have some fun in translation station. 

Episode 86 - Revelation Chapters 7 & 8

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 35:54


Now that the 4 Horsemen have been unleashed it's time for God to unleash his Harbinger of Doom horn section that signals the Skapocalyse! But wait, what about the Christians still on Earth? Our author realizes he forgot to deal with that part and quickly retcons the chapters he just wrote to fix this plot hole. Time for some funny math along with death and destruction. Hooray! 

Episode 85 - Revelation 6

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 42:45


It's here. The episode covering the chapter that created the most vivid and iconic imagery from the apocalypse. The amount of times you've seen the images depicted in this chapter are likely innumberable. But are they accurate? More importantly, what does it all mean? The guys take a stab at it while trying to give some perspective to this wildly famous segment of the Bible. 

Episode 84 - Revelation Chapter 5

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 34:05


The buildup continues as John's trip really starts to get wild. We've got heavenly hosts, metaphors galore, and more callbacks than a Seth Macfarlane cartoon. Join us as we take down the chapter before the chapter that everyone knows. It's about to get very very weird. 

Episode 83 - Revelation Chapter 4

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 34:52


Now that John, if that is his real name, has finished writing letters to the homies it's time to get down to business. John's vision starts off with a lot of symbolism, then adds more and more symbolism. Get ready for the acid trip that guides the evangelical world. Drop in and let's go! 

Episode 82 - Revelation Chapters 1-3

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 55:37


We've made it to the big one. The book that has divided opinion since the day it was added to the canon. The Revelation of John is a wild ride and the boys are here for it. Everyone has heard of this book, but what do they actually remember from it? We dive in and try and sort this apocryphal mess out. While most of the book is nightmare fuel and bloodbaths, the first chapters are just some letters to friends. Join us! 

El on the Rocks (Part 2 of Crossover Episode)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 31:46


Our friends Bob and Frizz have a podcast called "Rhythm on the Rocks" that talks about spirits and music. When Bob decided to do an episode about religious music, he knew who to call. This is part 2 of our chat with Bob about our favorite "Christian" songs while we sip on some religious themed drinks. Part 1 is available on their podcast channel. Cheers!!!

Pyreside Chat - Louisiana 10 Commandments Law

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 20:02


We promised we'd speak up when important and relevant stuff happened, so here we are again. The state of Louisiana decided to make it mandatory for classrooms to display the 10 commandments The guys have thoughts...

Episode 81 - The Atrocities Special

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 50:31


Our first themed request episode is here. We were asked to point out some of the atrocities committed in the name of Christianity, since folks are always so quick to recall the ones committed by other religions. The guys take a look at 3 that we should not forget. 

Episode 80 - Marshall Applewhite & Fred Rogers

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 42:58


We bring our Saints & Sinners season to a close with two fascinating people. One, a sad man who somehow managed to lead others into a horrific tragedy, the other, the greatest American to ever live. That's right, we went big. 

Episode 79 - Roy Elonzo Davis and John T. Scopes

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 32:12


The monkey business continues this week with 2 very different people who led two very different lives. One has a name you can't quite remember why you know, the other resurrected an institution we all wish we could forget. Join us another week of Saints and Sinners. 

Episode 78 - Harold Moody and Mary Baker Eddy

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 30:29


This week's focus is medicine. Our Saint used it to make the world a better place, while our sinner just got a bunch of people killed. We'll contrast those conflicting approaches this week as venerate a man of science and stoke the fire on a real dumbass. 

Episode 77 - David Koresh and Norman Borlaug

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 40:23


We love to say it's not about the bread on this show, but for this week's Saint it absolutely was about the bread. A gentlemen who has probably impacted your life despite you not knowing he existed. Our Sinner you've almost certainly heard of, and not for anything good. 

Episode 76 - William Speer and Ken Hamm

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 39:29


A special episode that always had to happen. They've been calling him out for 2 years, and since there's been no response the guys decided to call Ken Hamm out more directly. They balance that nonsense with a look at a good man who tried to make the world a better place. You know, the opposite of Ken Hamm. 

Episode 75 - Papa Doc & Edith Cavell

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 34:36


One of our subjects today left a legacy of pain and suffering that extends to this day. The other a legacy of service and dignity. We'll let you guess which is which. Join Bael and Riff for another exciting look at Saints and Sinners. 

Episode 74 - Elizabeth Fry and James Henley Thornwell

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 28:42


It's time for unsung heroes/villians week. We take a deep dive on two people that you've likely never heard of, but probably should have. One person lived the words of Christ to an extreme fashion. The other was an extreme dickhead. Join us to learn about both! 

Episode 73 - Kenneth Copeland and Elizabeth Ann Seton

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 33:12


The Saints & Sinners season rolls on as the guys take a look at two polar opposites. Our sinner is a greedy jerk who has blood on his hands and hate in his hearts. Our Saint is a hometown hero with a legacy that will endure indefinitely. Join Bael and Riff for a look at these two fascinating people. 

Episode 72 - Martin de Porres & Hanns Kerrl

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 36:05


As we get deeper into our Saints & Sinners season we continue our efforts at diversity. So naturally we take a look at the time the Catholic church tried that. We also look at one of the worst humans in history. Fun times! 

Episode 71 - Fred Phelps and John Brown

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 48:45


Complicated would be very mild way to describe today's subjects. They're both did big things in Kansas, but that's about where the similarities stop. Join Bael and Riff for a look at two men who took standing on your convictions to the extreme. 

Episode 70 - Easter

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 58:56


He is risen? Maybe, who knows? What Bael and Riff do know is that you wanted an Easter episode so you're getting an Easter episode. The guys take a look at the different narratives of Christianity's most essential story as well as some of the fun practices that have evolved around this holiday. 

Episode 69 - St. Christopher and Jerry Falwell

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 36:11


The Saints and Sinner train keeps on rolling with two unique entries, one a mythical saint who has inspired the names of countless Catholic young men, the other a giant prick who changed the political landscape of the United States in the some of the worst ways possible. You do not want to miss this episode!!!

Episode 68 - Oliver Cromwell and St. Patrick

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 40:52


This week the boys are going green. Bael and Riff head over to the emerald isle to celebrate all things Irish. We've got an Irish Saint and one of the worst sinners we've ever featured. Grab a pint and join us for our luckiest episode ever. 

Episode 67 - Mary Tudor and Joan of Arc

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 42:22


Diversity is not just an old wooden ship, but an ideal. We serve that ideal this week with by welcoming the fairer sex to our court. These two complicated characters give us a lot to think about. While neither met a particularly glorious end, they changed the world. 

Episode 66 - St. Stephen & Pope Benedict IX

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2024 35:43


We really jammed a lot into this episode. A Saint so famous the Grateful Dead mentioned him and our first Pope of the season. This episode has it all! 

Episode 65 - Shoko Asahara & Chuine Siguhara

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 34:41


This week's episode heads to the land of the rising sun. The guys take a look at two Japanese men who reallly couldn't be further apart on the humanity scale. Join us as we look at a forgotten saint and an infamous sinner. 

Episode 64 - Saint Arnold and Anthony Comstock

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2024 40:00


This week the guys take on two lesser known but certainly interesting entrants into the Saint or Sinner gauntlet. Join them as they take a look at these interesting figures and their outsized impact on the world around them. 

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