Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Episode Summary - "Hell's Bells"

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Hell's Bells," hosted by Christianity Today, the podcast delves deep into the intricate tapestry of the Satanic Panic that engulfed America during the 1980s and 90s. This episode explores the intertwining of religious movements, political agendas, and the profound impact of hysteria on innocent lives and the church itself.

Setting the Stage: The 1970s to 1980s Landscape

The narrative begins by contextualizing the early 1970s, highlighting significant global political shifts such as President Nixon's travels to China and Moscow, the signing of the SALT Treaty, and the nascent stages leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Domestically, the U.S. was a nation in turmoil with events like Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland and the escalating Vietnam War fostering a sense of instability.

Mike Kosper introduces the period as a "pressure cooker being pushed to the very brink," suggesting that these global tensions provided fertile ground for religious movements to gain traction by addressing life, death, and eternity amidst chaos.

Youth Evangelism at the Munich Olympics

In 1972, during the Munich Olympic Games, Don Stephens, European Director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), recounts how over a thousand young Christian evangelists descended upon the city. Initially perceived as nuisances, the tragic hostage situation involving Palestinian terrorists shifted the city's mood from celebration to mourning. This transformation opened doors for YWAM missionaries, turning them from unwelcome figures into symbols of hope.

Don Stephens (04:15): "Overnight, the carnival of the Olympics turned into a funeral. People milled about in the streets, lost. Suddenly, our young people were accepted, for we were in Munich as emissaries of hope."

This event not only solidified YWAM's recurring ministry at the Olympics but also inspired other ministries to view such global gatherings as pivotal moments for evangelism.

The Escalation: Reagan Era and Evangelical Mobilization

Fast forward to the late 1980s, President Ronald Reagan's escalation against the Soviet Union and the introduction of the Strategic Defense Initiative intensified global tensions. Concurrently, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) experienced internal strife between conservative leaders like Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed and more moderate factions.

Mike Kosper explains how the intersection of the church growth movement, charismatic renewal, and the fear-driven Satanic Panic created a potent mix of spiritual warfare rhetoric:

Mike Kosper (06:51): "When you look at this moment in time, there's a sense of brinksmanship, a sense of urgency in our politics, our denominations, our escalating culture wars, a sense that something terrible... could descend upon us at any moment."

Charismatic Movements and the Rise of Deliverance Ministries

The episode highlights the rise of charismatic leaders like Jack Hafer and John Dawson, who introduced concepts like spiritual warfare, demonology, and deliverance ministry into mainstream evangelical thought. These ideas were further popularized by figures such as Derek Prince and Bob Larson, whose dramatic exorcism practices resonated with the broader cultural fears of Satanic influence.

Don Stephens shares excerpts from A.A. Allen's deliverance services, illustrating the dramatic and theatrical nature of these ministries:

Don Stephens (13:16): "Jesus, Lord, you said, you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover... In Jesus name I bind you, you foul devil, tonight."

These practices contributed to an amplified awareness of spiritual warfare, making the supernatural aspects of Christianity more vivid and, to some extent, mainstream.

Strategic Spiritual Warfare and Church Growth

Matthew Taylor, a scholar, discusses the fusion of church growth strategies with spiritual warfare theology, particularly through the influence of Peter Wagner. Wagner's partnership with John Wimber led to courses like "Signs, Wonders and Church Growth" at Fuller Seminary, merging evangelistic strategies with charismatic practices.

Matthew Taylor (26:06): "They start experimenting with these ideas of apostles and prophets and spiritual warfare... they're really trying to develop strategies based on supernatural revelation."

This strategic approach aimed to identify and combat specific demonic influences over geographic territories, blending practical church growth tactics with esoteric spiritual battles.

The Dark Side: Abuse and Power within the Southern Baptist Convention

Transitioning to the darker aspects, the episode exposes the systemic abuse within the SBC, focusing on figures like Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson. Rich Perez recounts allegations of sexual misconduct against Pressler, whose influence within the SBC facilitated a culture of silence and protection over perpetrators.

Rich Perez (38:54): "He had stopped going [to Second Baptist Church] since the early 60s after a fight with one of the other prominent families there... Paul has molested him in a sauna."

These abuses were shielded by the conservative resurgence led by Pressler and Patterson, prioritizing the denomination's image over victim accountability. The Houston Chronicle's investigative reporting unveiled decades of cover-ups, revealing a mirror image of the Catholic Church's abuse scandals.

Rich Perez (48:35): "There were cases where... the church decided it was too harmful to publicize allegations, effectively enabling pressler's continued misconduct."

Cultural Reflections: Rock Music and Demonic Influence

The podcast also touches upon the cultural fears surrounding rock music, portraying it as an avenue for demonic influence and moral decay. It highlights historical reactions to rock and roll, such as Jimmy Snow's sermons against its perceived evil, and the controversial phenomenon of backmasking—alleged subliminal messages in music meant to sway listeners towards satanic messages.

Don Stephens (66:28): "One Bible scholar said Lucifer was not just a musician. He was music in himself... listening to it."

These fears perpetuated the notion that modern culture was under siege by malevolent forces, reinforcing the narrative of an ongoing spiritual battle.

Conclusion: Internalizing Evil and the Need for Accountability

Mike Kosper wraps up by arguing that the Satanic Panic's externalization of evil served as a scapegoat for deeper, more insidious issues within communities and religious institutions. The episode underscores the importance of recognizing that true evil often resides within trusted circles, far from the dramatic portrayals of demonic conspiracies.

Mike Kosper (70:29): "Maybe that isn't somewhere out there at all. Maybe those bells are ringing in our living rooms, our heads, our hearts."

Closing Thoughts

"Hell's Bells" serves as a compelling examination of how hysteria, religious zeal, and political agendas intertwined to shape a period of American history fraught with fear and misunderstanding. By unraveling the layers of the Satanic Panic, the episode invites listeners to critically assess the narratives that have long influenced evangelical thought and societal perceptions of good and evil.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Don Stephens (04:15): "Overnight, the carnival of the Olympics turned into a funeral. People milled about in the streets, lost. Suddenly, our young people were accepted, for we were in Munich as emissaries of hope."

• Mike Kosper (06:51): "When you look at this moment in time, there's a sense of brinksmanship, a sense of urgency in our politics, our denominations, our escalating culture wars, a sense that something terrible... could descend upon us at any moment."

• Don Stephens (13:16): "Jesus, Lord, you said, you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover... In Jesus name I bind you, you foul devil, tonight."

• Matthew Taylor (26:06): "They start experimenting with these ideas of apostles and prophets and spiritual warfare... they're really trying to develop strategies based on supernatural revelation."

• Rich Perez (38:54): "He had stopped going [to Second Baptist Church] since the early 60s after a fight with one of the other prominent families there... Paul has molested him in a sauna."

• Rich Perez (48:35): "There were cases where... the church decided it was too harmful to publicize allegations, effectively enabling pressler's continued misconduct."

• Don Stephens (66:28): "One Bible scholar said Lucifer was not just a musician. He was music in himself... listening to it."

• Mike Kosper (70:29): "Maybe that isn't somewhere out there at all. Maybe those bells are ringing in our living rooms, our heads, our hearts."

Final Notes

"Hell's Bells" offers a critical lens on a tumultuous period in American religious and cultural history, shedding light on the consequences of fear-driven narratives and the importance of accountability within powerful institutions. This episode is essential listening for those seeking to understand the complexities of the Satanic Panic and its lasting impact on American society and the church.