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PODCAST

Cocktail Theology

Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O"Rourke

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. Benton

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

25:00

Living Like Acts 2 Christians

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/07/03

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 question: What would it look like to live that way today? Benton introduces a new original 3-ingredient cocktail. Cocktail: Tahitian Monk Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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27:44

Victimhood

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/06/26

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 you get passed over for a promotion again. Feeling (or being) victimized and living as though you are a victim are not the same. Elane and Benton discuss the debilitating effects of victimhood. Cocktail: Corpse Reviver #2 Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music

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28:24

Who Are Your Saints?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/06/19

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.

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22:47

Pentecost Ponderings

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/06/12

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 Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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58:37

Elane's Conversation With John Birdsall

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/06/05

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-researched story-sharing of the relationship between modern American food culture and the lives and

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24:33

The Pope And Why He Should Matter To Protestants

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/05/29

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: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music

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20:24

The Wonder Problem

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/05/22

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.

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25:03

Was Jesus A Wuss?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/05/15

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 for the first time. Cocktail: Pink Lady aka Karen Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" by Benton

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27:51

Christmas Songs We Love (And Love To Hate)

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/12/24

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 #silentnight #thechipmunks #french75 Cocktail: French 75 Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”

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21:47

Surviving And Thriving During The Holidays

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/12/19

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.

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26:10

Is It Spiritual?

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/12/12

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 music online.

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28:14

So Are You Tolerant, Accepting, Or An Ally?

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/12/05

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.

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21:41

Mythology/Theology

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/11/28

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.

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21:07

Here Come The Holidays

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/11/21

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.

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24:04

Elitism, Compassion & Trump

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/11/14

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 wherever you listen to music online.

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20:13

Our Sacred Calling

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/11/07

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.

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24:35

Messianic Jews

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/10/31

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 wherever you listen to music online.

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18:52

Toxic Positivity

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/10/24

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. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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20:41

Christians & Climate Change

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/10/18

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.

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24:41

Baptism

Cocktail Theology ·

2024/10/10

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.

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179 results

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