Shows / Cocktail Theology
Cocktail Theology
Life and God from a very broadly Christian perspective, with no filter, over cocktails. Progressive, Biblically grounded, LGBTQ-affirming, candid discussions about faith, life, politics, roller coasters, sex, and anything else that matters. ABOUT THE HOSTS Benton Stokes is a songwriter, a recording artist, an author, a worship leader, a podcaster, a collector of comic books, a lover of roller coasters, a dad, a friend, and (with ministry partner Elane O'Rourke) half of School For Seekers…
Episodes
Cocktail TheologyWhat It Means To Be Unequally Yoked
Elane and Benton tackle one of the most complex challenges in adult relationships: what happens when you and your partner are not on the same spiritual path?…
Cocktail TheologyState, Faith & Genocide
Benton and Elane tackle one of the most urgent, sensitive, and heavy topics of our time: the crisis, displacement, and violence in Israel, the West Bank, and…
Cocktail TheologyWhy Voting Is So Bleeping Important
In this revisiting of an episode from season 5, Benton and Elane tackle a high-stakes topic: why voting is a core moral imperative for people of faith. They…
Cocktail TheologySpiritmaxxing
Benton and Elane unpack the viral internet trend of Spiritmaxxing. Applying corporate productivity hacks, tech optimization, and biohacking mindsets to faith…
Cocktail TheologyWhy Does The Church Care So Much About My Personal Life?
Elane and Benton sip on a fruit-forward plum cocktail as they tackle a provocative question: Why does the church care so much about my personal life? From…
Cocktail TheologyUnbundled Faith
Benton and Elane explore the growing trend of unbundled faith. Moving beyond rigid denominational perimeters, they discuss what happens when people gather…
Cocktail TheologyModern Relics
Benton and Elane explore a fascinating question: in our digital world, do we still have relics? Moving beyond simple sentimental heirlooms, Elane defines what…
Cocktail TheologyTheology As A Rough Draft
Elane and Benton sip on a tequila and pomegranate cocktail while exploring the art of being a work in progress. Sparked by Benton's habit as a songwriter of…
Cocktail TheologySilence
Benton and Elane sip on a rum cocktail while exploring the beautiful, sometimes terrifying, spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude. Moving past simple…
Cocktail TheologyMoney
Benton and Elane sip on a Negroni riff as they candidly share how their respective upbringings, career transitions, and major life disruptions have shaped…
Cocktail TheologyThe Junk Drawer Of Theology
Elane and Benton shake up a sweet-and-bitter gin cocktail called "The Junk Drawer" while unpacking a comforting truth: your theology doesn't have to be a…
Cocktail TheologyWisdom
Elane and Benton sip on a summery, slightly unbalanced riff on a gin tiki drink while tackling a profound question: does our modern society value wisdom?…
Cocktail TheologyAI & Trump
Benton and Elane sip on a complex, unnamed bourbon-and-chocolate dessert cocktail while unpacking a mind-bending thesis: generative AI is the perfect metaphor…
Cocktail TheologyThird Places
Elane and Benton explore the disappearing concept of the "third place"—community hubs that are neither home nor work where people actually know your name—have…
Cocktail TheologyComfort Food
Benton and Elane sip on a cozy cocktail while exploring the deep emotional connections we have with comfort food. Swapping stories about childhood dinners…
Cocktail TheologyIn AI We Trust?
Elane and Benton tackle a pressing modern question: what does trusting AI do to our faith? They unpack how AI lacks the crucial "skin in the game" of human…
Cocktail TheologyFrom Healing To Living Well
Benton and Elane discuss an ongoing cultural and spiritual shift: moving away from the idea that we are all inherently broken and in need of constant healing…
Cocktail TheologyThe Modern Conundrum of Christian Patriotism
Elane and Benton sip on a summer-ready Pineapple Daiquiri while tackling a difficult question: what does it mean to be patriotic in an era of rising Christian…
Cocktail TheologySerpents And Doves
Benton and Elane tackle a difficult biblical dilemma: what does it really mean to be "wise as serpents" and "gentle as doves" in the modern world? Sparked by…
Cocktail TheologyHospitality As A Spiritual Practice
Elane and Benton sip on a comforting, bourbon-based nightcap called "The Welcome and Good Night" as they explore the true meaning of hospitality. Sparked by…
Cocktail TheologyThe Endgame Of Religious Faith: Part 2
Benton and Elane pick up where they left off in the last episode as Elane introduces a mystical perspective on how we connect to God, the universe, and each…
Cocktail TheologyThe Endgame Of Religious Faith: Part 1
Benton and Elane dive into a provocative discussion about the ultimate endgame of religious faith. They explore whether the primary goal of religion is to…
Cocktail TheologyActs Of God
Benton and Elane sip on a surprising Guava Daiquiri while considering what we mean when we use the phrase "acts of God". Tornadoes and typhoons? Desert blooms…
Cocktail TheologyRighteous Anger
Benton and Elane explore the difference between hair-trigger outrage and well-ordered anger. They unpack the harmful religious conditioning that taught many to…
Cocktail TheologyOutrage
As a society, it seems we are constantly on the verge of outrage. Benton and Elane talk about how a loss of everyday civility and humor keeps us all on guard…
Cocktail TheologyTake The Throne
NEW EPISODE! Benton and Elane have a conversation sparked by Benton's brand-new song, "Take the Throne," which leads them to unpack traditional Christian…
Cocktail TheologyIs God A Narcissist?
NEW EPISODE! Elane and Benton respond to a listener's letter expressing her trouble with worshipping God. She poses the question, "Does God need our constant…
Cocktail TheologyResurrection
NEW EPISODE! Benton and Elane open Season 7 with a conversation about Jesus' Resurrection. Why didn't everyone recognize Jesus after he left the tomb? How…
Cocktail TheologyReflections On Christmas
Elane and Benton reflect on what Christmas means to them this year while enjoying a classic holiday cocktail. Cocktail: Tom & Jerry Theme song: "Moving On…
Cocktail TheologyIs Your Life Story Already Written?
What is purpose, where does it come from, and why is it so important? Has it already been chosen for us? Are our life stories already written down in God's Big…
Cocktail TheologyReality
There's only one reality, but each of us experiences it differently. That can be a useful—even a beautiful—thing. But it can also be a barrier to consensus…
Cocktail TheologyThanksgiving
Elane and Benton share what Thanksgiving (the day and the practice) mean to them, as well as some things they're thankful for. They also discuss the importance…
Cocktail TheologyOur Friends The Nones
NEW EPISODE! Most Americans, when asked about their faith, say they are religiously unaffiliated. Elane and Benton chat about "the Nones," finding and…
Cocktail TheologyWhat Do You Mean When You Call Yourself A Christian?
What do you mean when you call yourself a Christian? Benton and Elane answer that question for themselves while sipping an interesting gin cocktail. Cocktail…
Cocktail TheologyQueer + Ministry with Fr. Ricardo Avila
Elane and Benton welcome their good friend, Father Ricardo Avila—a gay, Latino, Episcopalian priest—to an honest conversation about what it means to be LGBTQ+…
Cocktail TheologyO Death
Every November, Dia de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed with both revelry and reverence. African-Americans talk of turning to their ancestors for…
Cocktail TheologyMartyrs
Benton and Elane chat about what makes someone a martyr, what doesn't, and why our culture is hung up on martyrdom. Cocktail: Enrico Palazzo Theme song…
Cocktail TheologyHow To Fight Cynicism
Cynicism is becoming more and more common among us these days. Elane and Benton discuss ideas for combatting it (hint: awe is a good place to start) while…
Cocktail TheologyIs Fat A Spiritual Issue?
Does someone's weight have anything to do with their spirituality? Well…it depends. Benton and Elane talk about body image and how the way we see ourselves—and…
Cocktail TheologyFeel-Better Media For Frustrating Times
Benton and Elane chat about what books they've ben reading, what shows they've been streaming, and what music has been bringing them life lately. Cocktail: Rum…
Cocktail TheologyForgiveness
Elane and Benton talk about the complicated concept of forgiveness—what it is, when to do it, and when not to. Cocktail: Closing Argument Theme song: "Moving…
Cocktail TheologyAntichrist
If 'antichrist' is an adjective describing anything that is antithetical to the way Jesus lived and what he taught, then why is the term being applied to…
Cocktail TheologyIn/Of
If you've been a Christian any length of time, you're familiar with the idea that even though we are "in the world," we are not to be "of the world" (John…
Cocktail TheologyHow To [Re]start Reading The Bible
Elane and Benton chat about the Bible—what it is, what it isn't, and how to start (or restart) reading it—all while enjoying a classic three-ingredient…
Cocktail TheologyThe Damage Dobson Did
Benton and Elane discuss the legacy of Dr. James Dobson, conservative Christian psychologist, radio personality, and political figure. Cocktail: Passionfruit…
Cocktail TheologyManifesting Vs Praying
So suppose you REALLY want a BMW. Is it wrong to pray for a BMW? How disappointed will you be if God gives you a '78 Maverick instead? Benton and Elane discuss…
Cocktail TheologyWhen To Leave Your Church (And When To Stay)
How do you know when it's time to leave your church? Elane and Benton chat about the reasons why someone might choose to leave their church home—and the…
Cocktail TheologyThe Ins And The Outs
Benton attended his grandfather's funeral and two different approaches to how one gets to heaven—or ends up in hell—were presented. He and Elane discuss what…
Cocktail TheologySelfish Or Self-Aware?
Elane and Benton discuss what it means to see someone—or oneself—as being selfish, and the distinctions between selfishness and self-awareness. Cocktail: My…
Cocktail TheologyIs It Important To Be Nice?
Benton likes to be thought of as a nice person. But is being nice important? He and Elane chat about niceness, manners, kindness, and the fruits of the Spirit…
Cocktail TheologyWhy Something Bigger Matters
NEW EPISODE! In a world that is often upended because of our president's whims, it's important to have something bigger, more consistent and reliable, to hang…
Cocktail TheologyChurch + State: Public Prayer Outside The White House
A listener shared a viral video that captures a circle of charismatic Christians praying freely and fervently outside the White House. Elane and Benton discuss…
Cocktail TheologyLiving Like Acts 2 Christians
In Acts 2, there is a description of how early Christians lived—eating together, praying together, supporting each other in all the ways. Elane poses the…
Cocktail TheologyVictimhood
Most of us have felt like a victim at some point. When someone breaks into your home. When you're on the receiving end of a breakup you didn't see coming. When…
Cocktail TheologyWho Are Your Saints?
Benton and Elane recount the people and experiences in their lives that have helped guide and shape their faith. Cocktail: Poet's Dream Theme song: "Moving On…
Cocktail TheologyPentecost Ponderings
What if the Holy Spirit showed up in Los Angeles today the way She did in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost? And how would we know if She did? Elane and Benton…
Cocktail TheologyElane's Conversation With John Birdsall
In celebration of the release of WHAT IS QUEER FOOD?, the new book written by our friend, multi-award-winning writer John Birdsall, this is a newly edited…
Cocktail TheologyThe Pope And Why He Should Matter To Protestants
The Roman Catholic Church (and the world) has a new pope. Many Protestant Christians don't see why the Pope is important, or even relevant, to the lives of…
Cocktail TheologyThe Wonder Problem
What if humanity is suffering from a lack of wonder? Our need for control and certainty has left us with a God who has been demystified, and a President who…
Cocktail TheologyWas Jesus A Wuss?
Christians throughout the ages have claimed the Cross as their banner while they committed atrocities against those who opposed them--or who were simply in the…