Cocktail Theology

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 (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

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 ponder these and other questions about the Holy Spirit and how She interacts with humanity and how we respond (or don't) when She does. Cocktail: Elixir Tropicale Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find B...

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 conversation between Elane and John that was recorded in 2023 at John's home in Tucson, Arizona. At the time, John was in the early stages of writing the book that would become WHAT IS QUEER FOOD? The book is John's deeply personal and well-rese...

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 non-Catholics. Elane and Benton chat about why all of us should be paying attention to what Pope Leo has to say. (For more, listen to our interview with Father James Martin--season 4, episode 10) Cocktail: The Chicago Cocktail Theme song: "Movi...

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 captures our attention. Elane and Benton discuss wonder and how its absence has impacted our experience of life, God, and practically everything else. 

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 way. In America today, that behavior is evident in the Christian nationalist movement, where men want Jesus to be depicted as assertive and powerful, not compassionate and humble. Elane and Benton chat about this while sipping Pink Ladies f...

In this last episode of the season, Elane and Benton share the Christmas songs they find most moving, most cringy, and most special. All while enjoying French 75's. Cocktail Theology will be back with new episodes in spring 2025! #progressivechristian #spirituality #queerchristian #cocktails #podcast   #lgbtq+ #postevangelical #christianlife #christmas #christmasmusic #christmassongs #holidaysongs...

NEW EPISODE! The holidays present challenges for most of us. Family tensions. Grief. Issues around eating, drinking, and gifts. Benton and Elane have a conversation about practical ways to anticipate stressers during the season. Cocktail: Winter In Norfolk County Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

What makes something spiritual? Is it the intent or spirituality of its creator? Is it how the thing is received? And what does it mean for something to "spiritual" anyway? Benton and Elane ponder these questions and more while sipping espresso martinis. Cocktail: Espresso Martini Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to musi...

Elane and Benton have an in-depth conversation about what it means for Christians to be tolerant, accepting, or allies toward those who are different from us. Complete with Biblical examples. All while sipping a new cocktail. Cocktail: The Bitterbon Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Elane and Benton respond to a listener's question about the difference between mythology and theology. Cocktail: The Vancouver Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane have a lighthearted chat about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and what happens between—while enjoying an apple brandy cocktail. Cocktail: Without Borders Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

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...