What the Hell? | Part 1 | Hell's Origins and Culture Shifts Artwork

Praise Be To Pod

Ashley and Bailee are reclaiming their spirituality after leaving the evangelical church behind. Join them for candid conversations about the twists and turns of deconstruction, spirituality, pop culture, mental health, astrology, self-care, and all the things that make life interesting after the altar call. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, and discover what we still believe in.

All Episodes

Praise Be To Pod

What the Hell? | Part 1 | Hell's Origins and Culture Shifts

January 18, 2026 • Bailee and Ashley • Season 2 • Episode 11

0:00 | 49:05

Ashley and Bailee dive into the origins of hell and how it became one of the most powerful—and fear-driven—ideas in evangelical Christianity. They unpack where the concept comes from, how ancient cultures understood the afterlife, and what the Bible actually says when you look beyond modern translations.

From Sheol and Gehenna to Dante and revival-era preaching, they explore how the idea of hell evolved over time—shaped by politics, power, and control—into the version many evangelicals are taught today. Together, they ask how a loosely defined theological concept became a central tool for enforcing belief, behavior, and obedience, and what happens when that framework starts to unravel.

Timeline Sources:
- Bernstein, A. E. (1993). The formation of hell: Death and retribution in the ancient and early Christian worlds. Cornell University Press.
- Ehrman, B. D. (2020). Heaven and hell: A history of the afterlife. Simon & Schuster.
- Segal, A. F. (2004). Life after death: A history of the afterlife in Western religion. Doubleday.
- Wright, N. T. (2003). The resurrection of the Son of God. Fortress Press.

Connect with Us:
📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod
🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod
▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod
💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com
💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod