Cocktail Theology

Many Jesus-followers on the left (and some on the right) are understandably stunned, angry, and afraid at the election of Donald Trump. Could a rejection of elitism be what won Trump the office? Elane and Benton discuss the implications for now and for the long road ahead.     Cocktail: A Bitter Pill Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs whereve...

NEW EPISODE! Recorded right before Election Day, Elane and Benton chat about Jesus' commandment to love—no matter who, no matter what. Cocktail: Apple Press Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane discuss Messianic Jews—that is, Jews who believe Jesus was/is the Messiah and behave kinda like evangelical Christians do. Does this seem weird to you? It's a little confusing, at least to Benton. There are qurestions and a few answers and drinkable Brown Derbys. Cocktail: Brown Derby Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherev...

Life presents us all with realities that merit reactions like anger, fear, grief, and sadness. Toxically positive Christians deny the existence of such emotions in people who believe God is always good. Elane and Benton have a lively conversation about toxic positivity over a just-okay gin cocktail. Cocktail: Delmonico Special Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes....

There are Christians who have some interesting views on why they shouldn't have to care for the planet. Elane and Benton have a conversation about some of those views, as well as the question we all face (or ignore): "What can I do?" Cocktail: Unnamed Chamomile Cocktail Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

What is baptism? Is it vital to a Christian's faith or salvation? Is it sacramental? Is it transformational? What did/does Jesus's baptism mean? All these questions and more as Benton and Elane explore the subject of baptism over cocktails. Cocktail: The Deacon Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.  

Another in their series on what people who profess to be Christians believe, Elane and Benton explore what it means to be a practitioner of Christian Science. [Spoilers: Christain Scientists are considered Christians and some of their tenets might surprise you.] There are also Hemingway daiquiris.  Cocktail: Hemingway Daiquiri Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes....

Elane and Benton discuss the idea of personhood—when does a person become a person?—and the often controversial subject of reproductive rights. What does the Bible say about abortion? How would Jesus instruct his followers to ensure that women and children are cared for? Our hosts approach these and other questions while sipping an abominable cocktail. Cocktail: Gold Rush + Mint Julep Theme song:...

Benton wrote Christian pop songs professionally in the 90s. In this episode, he and Elane chat about the current state of Christian pop, its odd relationship with the white evangelical church, and the unmistakable media dominance of K-LOVE. Cocktail: Frisco Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Fewer Americans are attending worship services at a local church than ever before. Many professing Christians seem to have no affiliation—or interest in affiliating—with a church or denomination. This downturn in church attendance begs the question: How important is church in the life of a Christian? Elane and Benton discuss over a tropical sipper. Cocktail: A Is For Ananas Theme song: "Moving On...

Many Christians struggle with mental health issues, especially anxiety and depression. Elane and Benton discuss six kinds of conversations that are happening in our churches and among Christians regarding these widespread mental health concerns.  Cocktail: White Negroni Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Elane and Benton discuss some of the distinctives of Mormons and Seventh-Day Adventists while they pose the question, what are the key things that define a "Christian?" Based on what each group believes, are their congregants, at a basic level, also Christians? All this while they sip on cosmopolitans. Cocktail: Cosmopolitan Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Fi...

Reconciling faith and sexuality is a tough road for many queer people of faith, especially for those in churches that are unaccepting of LGBTQ+ people. Benton and Elane have a candid conversation about the real-life challenges they've each faced being both queer and Christian. Cocktail: Gin Elderflower Fizz Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs...

There are some significant differences between the teachings of Jesus and those of the Apostle Paul. Jesus spoke in parables, teaching individuals and small groups, and emphasizing relationship. Paul wrote plainly to churches made up of new Christians—a mix of Jews and non-Jews, many in hostile environments. Jesus' teachings still prove to be universal. Paul's are more contextual. Apples and orang...

In the third part of their series, "You Might Be An Evangelical If…," Benton and Elane talk about how important it is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater when reevaluating one's beliefs. This applies to post- and ex-evangelicals too. Cocktail: Little Italy Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Elane and Benton pose the question, "Are Catholics Christians?" Might sound like an absurd question, but it is one that persists in some protestant and evangelical circles. They try to clear up some common misunderstandings and share a bit from their own experiences while enjoying a cocktail. Cocktail: Vieux Carre Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's...

When was the last time you heard mental health addressed from the pulpit in your church? Most pastors don't encourage their followers to pay attention to their own mental health. Therapy and anti-depressants are discouraged too. The alternatives they offer? "Try harder, pray more, take your eyes off yourself, and (worst case), see a Christian counselor." Elane and Benton talk about the disconnect...

What are angels? What are demons? Are there harps, wings, pitchforks, and pointy tails involved? Do they intervene in human affairs or keep a safe distance? Elane and Benton explore ideas they have (and have heard) about these nonmaterial beings while sipping on Cuba Libres. Cocktail: Cuba Libre Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you...

Benton and Elane continue their conversation about evangelicalism by delving into how it became a political movement (which Benton calls "antichrist") instead of a spiritual—that is, of the Spirit—movement. There are Limoncello Collins cocktails (thankfully). Cocktail: Limoncello Collins Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen...

Elane and Benton have a conversation (over cocktails, of course) about voting—why it's so important and why, as progressive Christians, it couldn't be more important. Cocktail: Vesper Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Elane and Benton have the first of a few conversations about what makes an evangelical an evangelical. Here they chat about the basics—how and when evangelicalism started (spoiler: it's not as old as you think) and the foundational ideas on which an evangelical's theology is built…all while sipping negronis, of course. Cocktail: Negroni Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Bento...

Here in the age of social media influencers and reality tv, you can find lots of carefully curated stories. It's easy to paint a picture of yourself and your life that's the envy of anyone paying attention. But what would it mean for us to tell our stories—even the ones that make us squirm—for the purpose of helping someone else? Benton and Elane talk about the power of stories. Cocktail: Strawber...

Suppose that following Jesus isn't about proving yourself, or making sure that other people know that you're right with God, or winning the prize that gets you into heaven when you die. Suppose instead that following Jesus is simply accepting God's light within you and then living like you believe that, the way Jesus lived. No fear, no threat of hell, no feelings of inadequacy, no drive to impress...

The Old Testament, as we Christians refer to it, is more than just the Creation story, the Ten Commandments, and a bunch of prophets with funny names. Elane and Benton chat about why the Hebrew Scriptures give us valuable insight into who Jesus was. Cocktail: Bee's Knees Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

The opposite of faith isn't doubt—it's certainty. Whenever anyone is sure they have the right answers, they'll be threatened by those who think maybe they don't. Doubt—sometimes simply questions—can tear at the fabric of some churches. Benton and Elane chat about it while sipping sidecars. Cocktail: Sidecar Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs...