Beast and Bible
Hosted by Dr. Seth Pierce, Beast & Bible explores the intersection of the “monstrous”, religion, and popular culture. Informed by academic thought, each episode features accessible dialogue that doesn’t fall into sensationalism, conspiracy theories, or the pitfall of becoming blind pop culture apologists. Instead, this show reveals how the study of monsters can help us become better people - maybe even better people of faith.
Episodes

Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Light Up the Dark: Interview with Michael Halfhill
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
For years, Christians have tried to create positive alternatives to Halloween. In some cases they have been traumatic, such as the Hell or Judgment House. Other times they have made it cringey by preaching anti-Halloween sermons with misinformation. Yet, some churches have found a way to reach out and have fun. In this final Halloween episode, Dr. Pierce talks with Pastor Michael Halfhill on his church’s popular event known as “Light Up the Dark.”
This is the fourth and final episode of the 2023 Halloween Special.

Monday Oct 30, 2023
Trick or Treat Part 2 - Interview with a Halloween Expert - Lisa Morton
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
When did Halloween take such a dark turn? How did it come to be associated with gory, murderous imagery? In this episode, Dr. Pierce concludes his interview ith Halloween expert Lisa Morton, focusing on the transition from children's holiday to something for adults with a taste for the macabre.
This is the third episode of the 2023 Halloween Special.
Show Notes
Book | Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton
Documentary | Hell House | Rent on Amazon, Vudu or view on Youtube
This documentary follows one evangelical church's answer to Halloween haunted houses - Hell House - which depicts graphic scenes including "botched abortions, AIDS-related deaths, fatal drunk driving crashes, date rapes, and drug-induced suicides" with the purpose of converting it's attendees.

Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Trick or Treat Part 1: Interview with a Halloween Expert - Lisa Morton
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Halloween is often considered a tribute to the Celtic Lord of Death…but is it? Where did this holiday come from? Is it a religious holiday or something manufactured by the makers of sweets? In this episode, Dr. Pierce interviews Halloween historian and six-time Bram Stoker award winner Lisa Morton about the history of this spooky Holiday.
This is the second episode of the 2023 Halloween Special.
Show Notes
Book | Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton

Saturday Oct 28, 2023
The Nightmare Before Halloween
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Have you ever been warned of people putting razor blades in apples? What about those who poison children’s Halloween candy? Have you been told to not let your black cat out on Halloween night? Is Halloween Satan’s birthday? Is there a new Barbie Oujia board threatening the soil of children everywhere? In this episode, Dr. Pierce explores the dark tales that haunt Halloween and reveals something even scarier that happens every year this holiday is celebrated…
This is the first episode of the 2023 Halloween Special.
Show Notes
Book | Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of Halloween by David J. Skal

Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Dr. Pierce speaks with expert Dr. Joseph Laycock on how knowing the patterns of moral panics can keep us from being swept up in them.

Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Dr. Pierce speaks with expert Dr. Joseph Laycock to pull back the curtain on why there's so much panic about the satanic.

Monday Jun 26, 2023
Beast and Bible Update - June 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
We're taking this week off, but we'll be back on July 10 with Part 1 of our episodes on the Satanic Panic. If you want to do some homework, check out Dr. Joseph Laycock's book, "Dangerous Games: What the Moral Panic over Role-Playing Games Says about Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds."

Monday Jun 12, 2023
$6.66: The Mark of the Beast w/ Dr. Jon Paulien
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Dr. Pierce explores perhaps the most horrific pop culture icon taken from scripture, the mysterious number 666 (aka the Mark of the Beast). Dr. Jon Paulien, renowned expert on the book of Revelation, joins the episode to help unravel this beastly number.
Show Notes
Contact | Jonathan K. Paulien, PhD, Loma Linda University
Website | http://thebattleofarmageddon.com/
Book | The Deep Things of God: An Insider’s Guide to the Book of Revelation
Adventist Book Center | Jon Paulien’s Books on the Adventist Book Center Website
Video Series | GPS - God’s Prophetic Surprises on Loma Linda Broadcasting Network (LLBN)

Hi! I'm Dr. Seth Pierce.