One Weird Trick

Show Notes

"Therefore I issue a decree that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and his house made into a garbage dump." — Daniel 3:29

This week, Benito and Chris take their first foray into the Old Testament, and into the Apocrypha with the Book of Daniel, including the deuterocanonical Prayer of Azariah, Bel and the Dragon, and Susanna. Join us as we discuss Nebuchadnezzar's harsh penalties, Daniel's Encyclopedia Brown-esque early days, examine the one weird trick that makes doctors hate this local prophet, and treat you to what might be the most amazing pun of the entire Bible. Plus: Chris went to Mass!

Topics of discussion: Catholic Mass and the Lord's Prayer freestyle breakdown, the Tanakh vs. the Old Testament, a brief recap of the period between Abraham and Alexander the Great, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, turning houses into garbage dumps as punishment for bad dream interpretation, most of the Bible stories you bring up conversationally, Antiochus IV Epiphanes and an excellent goof from history, tree puns in Greek, the Septuagint, Encyclopedia Daniel, Angelic GrubHub, 2 Creeps.

Opening Verse

He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” — Daniel 10:19

Listener Notes

• Rejected titles for the show include "Extra Canonical," "The Old rugged cast," "Y’all need Jesus," and "#blessed," but Apocrypals was chosen, "because we're pals!"
• After recording the previous episode, Chris went to a Catholic Mass for the first time
• Chris compares Daniel to NFL Super Pro, and God helping Habakkuk deliver stew to GrubHub.
• The promised Veggie Tales content that Benito mentioned.
• The Sons of Thunder suggest that they will some day have a segment called "Altar Call" and indicate that some day they hope to have guests.

Choice Quotes

I didn’t know there was going to be a freestyle in the middle of the Lord’s Prayer. — Chris

Chris: And after that, we went into a whole bunch of tree puns. Benito: Yep, mine was "It was under a yew" "Going to hew you in half." Chris: And mine was "I think it was under a dogwood tree" "Yo dog, you think you're not going to get cut in half? Buddy, I got some news for you." — The Pals (at 1:09)

(Find more in the transcript.)

Peanut Gallery

Friend of the Show Ben Rowe points out in Various Heresies that Bel and the Dragon is actually a Jewish appropriation and retelling of the Babylonian hero Bel Marduk fighting the dragon Tiamat.

Music

Shadrach by Beastie Boys.

Favorite Verses

Benito:

Many of those who sleep in the dust

of the earth will awake,
some to eternal life,
and some to shame and eternal contempt.
Those who are wise will shine
like the bright expanse of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness,

like the stars forever and ever.
— Daniel 12:2-3

Chris:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question." — Daniel 3:16